While the direction and cinematography weighs this movie down and keeps me from giving it 9 stars, Laurence Olivier's performance is so phenomenal it raises the film above mediocrity and makes it one that absolutely has to be seen - especially for those who aren't yet convinced of Olivier's greatness. What an incredible job he does here! And those who only know Maggie Smith in her more recent years, as the comic genius she is, need to see her as the ravishing beauty she portrays here. This is who she was - a great serious and seriously beautiful actress, in her youth. (Frank Finlay is also brilliant as the evil Iago.) A great story of jealousy and evil human schemes also makes this a tale that needs to be known. (And who but Shakespeare could best bring this sort of thing out, with such realism and devastating effect.) Bravo!!!
