Franco Zeffirelli later said that out of all the films he ever made, "Otello" is his favorite, and admitted that after he made the picture, he had "a bit of a crisis" because he felt that he could never be able to duplicate that achievement.
Just prior to principal photography was to begin there was a gigantic earthquake in Mexico City. Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo canceled all his commitments, including being in this film, in order to assist with the emergency rescue aid. The production of the picture almost went into turnaround and canceled but Domingo agreed to soon be in the movie so the project could re-start. Director Franco Zefirelli recalled that Domingo used the film to take his mind off the real life tragedy of the natural disaster which had taken so many lives including some of his own friends and family members.
Third cinema opera movie theatrical feature film of opera singer Plácido Domingo following Franco Zefirelli's 'La Traviata' (1982) and Francesco Rosi's 'Carmen' (1984). Domingo has appeared in numerous filmed opera productions which have been made for television.
Producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus originally wanted opera singer Plácido Domingo to appear in a cinema movie adaptation of Verdi's 'Il Trovatore'. Domingo responded by recommending that they make a film of 'Otello' which was the role he was most famous for.
Plácido Domingo has starred as the title character in film and television productions of the 'Otello' opera first released and/or broadcast in the following years: 1976 (TV), 1986, 1992 (TV), 1996 (TV) and 2001 (TV). Of these, 'Otello' (1986) is the only one which was made for the cinema. The total number of filmed adaptations of 'Otello' that Domingo has appeared in totals to at least five.