Othello

Iago (Frank Finlay), Venetian Army officer and Ensign to the Moorish General, Othello (Sir Laurence Olivier), bitterly resents the appointment of Cassio (Sir Derek Jacobi) as Othello's Lieutenant. Roderigo (Robert Lang) and Iago maliciously bait Brabantio (Anthony Nicholls), an old Senator, with the news that his daughter Desdemona (Dame Maggie Smith) is betrothed to Othello. Before Council Chamber, Brabentio accused Othello of abducting his daughter. The Moor denies this, and Desdemona affirms loyalty to her husband. Othello is ordered to defend Cyprus, of which he is Governor, against the Turks. Iago assures Roderigo, who is secretly in love with Desdemona, that she will not love Othello for long. Iago brings Desdemona to Cyprus to celebrate Othello's victory against the Turks and incites Cassio and Montano (Edward Hardwicke) into a drunken brawl. Montano is seriously hurt and Iago beckons Othello, blaming Cassio, who is dismissed from duties. Iago then advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's assistance in regaining Othello's favor. Iago arranges Othello to find his wife in earnest conversation with Cassio, and subtly arouses the Moor's jealousy with creating a slanderous piece of evidence by placing Desdemona's handkerchief in the possession of Cassio.