Othon (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 5.3
Released in 1971, Othon is a drama film directed by Jean-Marie Straub, running about 88 minutes.
What it’s about. Straub-Huillet’s first color film, adapts a lesser-known Corneille tragedy from 1664, which in turn was based on an episode of imperial court intrigue chronicled in Tacitus’s Histories. The costuming is classical, and the toga-clad, nonprofessional cast performs the drama’s original French text amid the ruins of Rome’s Palatine Hill while the noise of contemporary urban life hums in the background. Their lines are executed with a terrific flatness and frequently through heavy accents; the language in Othon becomes not merely an expression but a thing itself, an element whose plainness here alerts us to qualities of the work that might otherwise be subordinated.
Who’s in it. Othon stars Adriano Aprà as Othon, Anne Brumagne as Plautine, Ennio Lauricella as Galba and Olimpia Carlisi as Camille, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.3/10, Othon has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Othon page.
If you liked it. Fans of Othon tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Othon (1971)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Othon change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Othon worth watching?
- Othon holds an audience score of 5.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Othon?
- Othon stars Adriano Aprà, Anne Brumagne, Ennio Lauricella, Olimpia Carlisi and Anthony Pensabene.
- When was Othon released?
- Othon was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 88 minutes.