Othello

Othello   

Screenplay by                             Oliver Parker

Produced by                               David Barron

                                                 Luc Roeg

Directed by                                Oliver Parker

Cast List:

Laurence Fishburne                Othello

Irène Jacob                              Desdemona

Kenneth Branagh                    Iago

Nathaniel Parker                      Cassio

Michael Maloney                     Roderigo

Anna Patrick                            Emilia

Nicholas Farrell                                   Montano

Indra Ove                                 Bianca

UNDERWATER CANAL – NIGHT
 

Glimmering shape moves through the water. As it comes closer we recognize it as a tragic mask – which is pulled up and out of the water.

EXT. CANAL – NIGHT

Misty night. The moon is reflected in the canal. A gondola appears through the mist. As it passes us we see a SLOUCHING FIGURE, wearing the tragic mask. The gondola crosses another which moors up. A veiled figure disembarks. A nightdress flashes white beneath a cloak, as the figure runs off.

EXT. ST. MARKS SQUARENIGHT

TWO ROBED MEN (SENATORS) walk briskly towards the Doge's palace.

TWO CAPTAINS approach from the other side.

INT. COUNCIL CHAMBER – NIGHT

 
CLOSEUP: 16th century map of the Mediterranean by the flickering light of a fire. Venice is central. Rhodes and Cyprus are surrounded by symbols denoting armies and ships.

We pull back to see that the map is spread across a large table. TWO ATTENDANTS stand over it, holding torches. Their light gives glimpses of the several OFFICERS and ATTENDANTS in the background and of the rich tapestries and paintings of battles that adorn the walls.

SEVERAL ELDERLY SENATORS, lavishly dressed and dripping jewelry, sit, clutching letters. The 1st and 2nd Senators take their place among them. MESSENGERS run back and forth.

The DOGE (DUKE) OF VENICE sits by the fireside playing chess with an elegant YOUNG MAN (LODOVICO). We catch snippets of urgent conversation between the Senators.

FIRST SENATOR
There is no composition in these news

That gives them credit.

SECOND SENATOR

Indeed they are disproportioned

My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.

FIRST SENATOR

And mine a hundred and forty.

A TURKISH EMISSARY arrives with a scroll. A SOLDIER delivers the scroll to the Doge. He studies the following:

Sultan of the Turks to the Signory of Venice:

'We demand of you Cyprus, which you shall give

willingly or perforce. Beware, therefore,

lest you arouse our wrath for we shall wage

most cruel war against you everywhere.'

(1570)

He passes the scroll to his Senators. There is a flurry of activity.

DUKE

Tis certain then, for Cyprus.

EXT. STREET – NIGHT

The veiled figure rounds a corner into a seedy back street and runs through an arcade passing a trio of late night masked revelers.

INT. CHAPEL – NIGHT

Three men stand silently, tensely: A PRIEST, a handsome SOLDIER (CASSIO) and a black GENERAL (OTHELLO).

The door bursts open. The men rise. The veiled figure stands panting in the doorway and pulls back the veil to reveal a beautiful young woman, DESDEMONA.

INT. CHAPEL – NIGHT

Othello and Desdemona stand before the Priest. Othello fumbles awkwardly with the ring, then slips it onto her finger. They lean in to kiss. We pull back to reveal:

EXT. / INT. CHAPEL – NIGHT

A richly DRESSED GENTLEMAN (RODERIGO) and a SOLDIER (IAGO) watching through the window as Othello and Desdemona kiss. Roderigo's face twists in agony.

RODERIGO
I take it much unkindly that thou, Iago,

Shouldst know of this.

Othello brings out a sash and places it across Cassio's shoulder, who bows...

IAGO

By the faith of man,

1 know my price, I am worth no worse a place;

But he, that never set a squadron in the field,

Nor the division of a battle knows,

More than a spinster, must his Lieutenant be,

And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof –

God bless the mark – his moorship's Ancient.

Cassio cannot contain his smile. They clasp hands. Othello takes out a small dagger studded with rubies and gives it to him. The two men embrace. Cassio pays the Priest and they both leave.

Othello and Desdemona are now alone. They move towards each other, tentatively.

Roderigo turns away in disgust. He pulls Iago beneath the window and whispers:

RODERIGO

By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.

IAGO

Why, there's no remedy. 'Tis the curse of service:

RODERIGO

I would not follow him then.

IAGO

O, Sir, content you:

I follow him to serve my turn upon him.

We cannot all be masters, nor all masters

Cannot be truly followed. You shall mark

Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,

But seeming so for my peculiar end:

I am not what I am.

RODERIGO

What a full fortune does the thick lips owe

If he can carry't thust.

IAGO

Call up her father.

Roderigo considers, then sets off. Iago turns and looks directly into the Camera. Though his expression is blank, his eyes shine with tears.

INT. COUNCIL CHAMBER – NIGHT

Cassio lots himself quietly into the chamber.

The Senators pore over the map.

DUKE

But who should lead our business against the Turkish fleet?

They exchange thoughtful glances.

FIRST SENATOR

(tentatively)

Othello?

SECOND SENATOR

Marcos Luccicos, is not he in town?

FIRST SENATOR

He's now in Florence. Othello?

The other Senators look disapprovingly at the Duke.

FIRST SENATOR

Another of his fathom we have none.

The Duke turns to Lodovico.

LODOVICO

The fortitude of the place is best known to him.

DUKE

Fetch Othello hither.

Cassio leaves the room, followed by two attendants

EXT. STREET TO BRABANTIO'S HOUSE – NIGHT

Iago and Roderigo approach BRABANTIO'S HOUSE.

INT. BRABANTIO'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

An OLD MAN (BRABANTIO) lies asleep in his bed. He mumbles and writhes.

RODERIGO
What, ho, Brabantio! Signor Brabantio, ho!

IAGO

Awake! What, ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves!

Look to your house, your daughter!

Brabantio sits bolt upright, as if waking from a nightmare, eyes staring.

IAGO

... and your bags! Thieves, thieves!

EXT. BRABANTIO'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Roderigo and Iago shouting "Awake", "Brabantio", "Magnifico". Brabantio appears on his balcony in his night-dress. Iago ducks into the shadows.

BRABANTIO

(peering into the darkness)

What is the reason of this terrible summons? What is the matter here?

Iago urges Roderigo to speak.

RODERIGO

(nervously)

Signor, is all your family within?

BRABANTIO

I know thee, Roderigo,

And have charged thee not to haunt about my doors;

In honest plainness thou hast heard me say

My daughter is not for thee.

IAGO

Are your doors locked?

BRABANTIO

Why, wherefore ask you this?

IAGO

Zounds, sir, you're robbed; for shame, put on your gown;

Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul.

BRABANTIO

What, have you lost your wits?

IAGO

Even now, now, very now, an old black ram

Is tupping your white ewe. Arise I say!

BRABANTIO

What profane wretch art thou?

IAGO

I am one, sire that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.

BRABANTIO

Thou art a villain.

IAGO

You are a senator.

BRABANTIO

This thou shalt answer, Roderigo...

RODERIGO

Sir, I will answer anything; but I beseech you,

Straight satisfy yourself;

If she be in your chamber or your house,

Let loose on me the justice of the state

For thus deluding you.

BRABANTIO

Strike on the tinder, ho!

Give me a taper; call up all my people!

Brabantio mutters to himself, struggling for breath:

BRABANTIO

This accident is not unlike my dream:

Belief of it oppresses me already.

(yelling)

Light, I say, light!

Brabantio goes back into his room. Sounds of commotion.

Iago congratulates Roderigo with a firm shake of the hand.

Roderigo gives him a purse.

IAGO

Farewell, for I must leave you.

Roderigo tries to grab him, but Iago eludes him and goes.

Brabantio comes out of his front door into the street.

A BAND OF MEN carrying torches gather at his side.

BRABANTIO
It is too true an evil. Gone she is.

Do you know where we may

Apprehend her and the Moor?

RODERIGO

I think I can discover him.

BRABANTIO

O, that you had had her.

(shouting to his Servants)

Get weapons, Ho!

EXT. CHAPEL – NIGHT

Cassio, his two Attendants and Iago stand motionless in the swirling mist. Cassio is a little uncomfortable and discovers that Iago is staring at him. Their eyes lock together. Iago breaks the tension with a wink. Cassio grins, Iago smiles warmly.

Othello steps out of the chapel to join them. He scoops up a stray cat into his arms.

IAGO

I pray you, sir, are you fast married?

CASSIO

Sir, you have been hotly called for.

OTHELLO

Have with you.

They march off.

EXT. MARKETPLACE – NIGHT

Othello and his Men appear from one side. Brabantio's from the other.

Brabantio draws his sword. The sound of swords whipped from their scabbards. Iago and Cassio stop in front of Othello.

Roderigo is terrified to find himself in the middle of the imminent fight.

IAGO

You, Roderigo? Come, air, I am for you.

He draws the confused Roderigo to one side.

OTHELLO

Hold your hands,

Both you of my inclining and the rest,

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it

Without a prompter.

BRABANTIO

O thou foul thief

Where hast thou stowed my daughter?

Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her,

T'run from her guardage to the sooty bosom

Of such a thing as thou?

Lay hold upon him.

Brabantio's Men make for Othello. Othello's Men prepare to defend him.

OTHELLO

Keep up your bright swords for the dew will rust'em

Good Signor, where will you that I go to answer this your charge?

BRABANTIO

To Prison, til fit time

Of law and course of direct session

call thee to answer.

OTHELLO

What if I do obey?

How many the Duke be therewith satisfied,

Whose messengers are here about my side,

To bring me to him?

CASSIO

'Tis true, most worthy Signor:

The Duke's in council, and your noble self

I am sure is sent for.

BRABANTIO

How? The Duke in council? In this time of night? Bring him away.

Brabantio sets off. Othello rebuffs the arms that try to take hold of him, but follows Brabantio.

INT. COUNCIL CHAMBER – NIGHT

The door opens and Othello enters, Brabantio, Iago, Roderigo, Cassio and OFFICERS follow.

DUKE
Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you

Against the general Turkish foe.

Brabantio pushes his way forward.

DUKE

I did not see you: Welcome, gentle Signor;

We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.

BRABANTIO

So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me:

Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business,

Hath raised me from my bed...