branagh and fishburne deliver excellent performance in this version of the shakespeare classic . branagh play iago good than i have see the character play in film or on stage . some might say this film be overly iago centric and but i disagree . fishburne and the first black othello in film history ironically and deliver a powerful performance . fishburne have always be a good actor and but this performance a the moor of venice may be one of his best . the one problem i have with this film and be the simple subtraction of a number of important scene . desdemona character be give far less depth than she have in the play . in this film and she might as well not be add at all . one of the bad cut make by branagh in this film and be the subtraction of a conversation between iago and desdemona at the beginning of the second act . this part of the play show that desdemona may not be the innocent child she be portray a in this film . there be a number of subtraction that hurt the integrity of this film . however and if you have not read the play and or see a film version of othello before and i recommend this movie . the story and cut or not and be still incredibly enthral . the acting and a state previously and be very good . if some important scene have be add and and desdemona character be prioritize a bit further and this would be a great movie . a it stand and it still an admirable version of the original . i give it a marginal recommendation .