Even without the benefit of sound, the 1922 German adaptation of Othello seems more operatic than Shakespearean. This may be due to the casting of Emil Jannings, to whom restraint and subtlety were strangers. Werner Krauss, of Cabinet of Dr. Caligari fame, is on hand as the duplicitous Iago. Appearing as the unfortunate Desdemona is Lea Von Lenkeffy, better known as Lya de Putti. Produced on an elaborate scale, Othello may not be true to the letter of Shakespeare, but is undeniably a smorgasbord of visual delights.
Emil Jannings
as Othello
Werner Krauß
as Iago
Ica von Lenkeffy
as Desdemona
Theodor Loos
as Cassio
Ferdinand von Alten
as Rodrigo
Friedrich Kühne
as Brabantio
Magnus Stifter
as Montano
Lya De Putti
as Emilia
Ludwig Rex
as
