Reading this thread, I wondered whether the film might be the Julie Taymor Titus Andronicus.
Generally my first reaction to the issue posed here would be “if you want to study film, deal with it.” And I was someone who definitely did NOT censor my children’s film watching once they got into double digits, age-wise. I would talk to them about what they saw a lot, and sometimes I would discuss with them in advance what they wanted to see and why they might decide not to watch something, but my kids saw plenty of R movies before they were 16 or 17. (Of course, I’m not saying everyone has to be that way, or everyone should be that way. It’s just the way my family is.)
Anyway, once upon a time I rented Titus Andronicus. When it started, all four of us were watching. My wife lasted about 15 minutes before she decided to do something else. My son (then about 14) exited about 30 minutes in. My 16 year-old daughter quietly got up and left after the scene where one character’s arms are replaced by tree branches. I watched the last half hour or so of the movie alone.
It’s a great film. But it really isn’t for everyone. I don’t think I would make it mandatory for an undergraduate class anywhere.
I haven’t seen the Fishburne Othello, so I have no idea whether I would have the same kind of reaction to it.