Othello (2001 TV film)
| Othello | |
|---|---|
| Created by |
Andrew Davies William Shakespeare (Based on the play Othello) |
| Directed by | Geoffrey Sax |
| Starring |
Eamonn Walker Christopher Eccleston Keeley Hawes |
| Theme music composer | Debbie Wiseman |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
Julie Gardner Anne Pivcevic Michele Buck Jo Wright Ian Strachan |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
LWT WGBH Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Original release | 23 December 2001 |
Othello is a 2001 British television film starring Eamonn Walker, Christopher Eccleston and Keeley Hawes. It is an adaptation in modern English of William Shakespeare's play Othello. It was scripted by Andrew Davies and directed by Geoffrey Sax.
The film is narrated by Ben Jago, a corrupt police detective who is prepared to manipulate those around him to get what he wants, even the people he loves.
After the Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Sinclair Carver is caught using racist language he is forced to resign. The Home Secretary and Prime Minister choose John Othello, a black policeman, to be the next Commissioner as a publicity stunt after a reporter praises him for ending a riot. Jago, Carver's second-in-command, feels that Othello stole his chance to become Commissioner himself, as he had been the favourite for the job. Jago plots to take revenge on Othello by ruining his life and driving him out of his new job.
Jago posts on a neo-Nazi website about Othello's marriage to Dessie Brabant, a wealthy white woman, leading her to be attacked in the street. When Othello asks Jago to lend him a man to look after her during the day Jago suggests Michael Cass, an attractive inspector and known womanizer, to look after Dessie. Jago also seduces Dessie's best friend, Lulu, to try to get information about Dessie's past and her relationship with Cass.
During this time, Othello has Jago look into the death of Billy Coates, a black drug addict, who was battered to death by three policemen claiming it was self-defense. He discovers, via PC Alan Roderick, that the three policemen actually went to Coates' flat with the intention of attacking him. Jago sympathises with Roderick and offers protection in return for him testifying against the other three policemen. Upon discovering this Othello is given all the credit. Furious that he has once again been overlooked by Othello, Jago decides to ruin the case. Roderick is called to give evidence at the trial causing the other policemen to rebuff him. The day he is called to trial he is found dead from an overdose, and it is suggested that Jago overdosed Roderick with alcohol, knowing he was on anti-depressants. Jago offers to take the blame, but Othello refuses, telling him that he is the "only person [he] can trust."
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