Orson Welles's Othello

We have numerous reminders of Orson Welles's acting abilities, but his directing efforts (completed, anyway) are rarer - often due to a chronic shortage of funds.

His insolvency while making this powerful adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy led to various emergency measures (actors dressed in towels, their outlandish costumes hidden by skilful camerawork), but Welles (playing Othello, natch) was a truly gifted director.

The film overcomes its difficult genesis - and it's nice to finally see it on a decent print. With 'restoring Othello' featurette and Welles short film.