Not a fully realized Othello
I came away disappointed that atmospheric and cinematic elements overshadowed full character development in this adaptation of a satisfyingly full play.
To hit a few points:
While it is laudable that the play could actually be set in Venice and Cyprus, or places that looked like them, the time that was lavished on crashing waves, amassing soldiers and formidable castle walls could have been better spent with the multiple scenes and lines that were deleted. Almost all the rich secondary characters, including Cassio, Bianca, Emilia and Desdemona, were turned into appendages to the highlighted relationship between Othello and Iago.
Michael MacLiammoir as Iago physically did not look or act the role of a commanding second in charge. All of his acting was in his face and voice, and those were of a limited palette. In essence, he exuded a one-note sneer. As one of the two major characters in this play, he did not have the necessary bearing to carry the role's many facets. Even an major evil-doer needs to exhibit complexity. Instead of a strong and magnificently scheming competitor for power, we have a petty usurper. It also did not help his cause to not fully engage the camera, or that he spoke his lines quickly and with his face and/or back turned away. The uneven sound quality added to the forgetfulness of the performance.
Welles as Othello was magnificent. He absolutely makes this film worth watching, even for it's flaws. His acting and the way he filmed himself are among his best work.
Desdemona - While fully audible and physically beautiful enough to inspire Othello's love and our beliveability in their relationship, she unfortunately was not given the opportunity (and lines) to show her determined and self-possessed side. She ended up a pitiable, used character.
Emilia - One of Shakespeares's strongest secondary female characters gives the impression of a spurned washerwoman.
Editing - Displeased. While some of the outdoor action and crowd scenes could have been interesting and added color, they were rushed and cut too abruptly, leaving me frustrated and agitated instead. Do it right or don't do it at all! When the camera stopped switching back and forth wildly, we could absorb the action and the words. The scenes with the senators, were, however, effective, thanks mostly to Nicholas Bruce as Lodovico (yes?) who anchors the scenes.
Lack of humor - These elements of the play were for the most part left out. The scenes with Iago and Roderigo do not work. A simpleton and a devil; stereotypes, not characters.
Summary: An engaging performance when Welles is in the spotlight, but a dour and supressed production overall.