The Other (1972)

Seldom does a movie capture the pure essence of the novel from which it is derived. This is especially true with classic tales of terror. "The Shining" and "The Exorcist" are two blatant examples of mega-movies that "sold out" with inane dialogue, cheap scare tactics and over-baked performances. Sometimes it takes a little guy to show the big guys how to do it right.

Wisely, author (and former actor) Tom Tryon took no chances at having someone else toy with his fragile, exquisitely crafted tale of the supernatural and adapted the screenplay himself from his own novel. And we are all the better for it because "The Other" is arguably one of the most subtle, hauntingly elegant tales to grace the big screen. Might I be so bold as to say Tryon actually improves on his complex, often exasperating book in terms of continuity and clarity. An exercise in restraint, the screenplay is simple yet rich, carefully constructed, and motivated by strong, three-dimensional characters. The film itself is muscular in concept, tone, and visual image.

Identical twin boys living on a lonely, remote country homestead are left to their own imaginary devices for fun-and-games on the farm...with tragic results.

To say anything more would be unconscionable. Just don't let the languid pace of the film fool you. It's intentional. The movie slowly builds, giving in to one of the most shattering climaxes I've ever experienced, with plenty of plot twists to play with your mind. And, like Hitchcock at his best, its done with intelligence, not with buckets of blood.

The performances are stellar. Newcomers Chris and Martin Udvarnoky as the twins came out of nowhere to star in this modest little feature and disappeared just as quickly. Which is eerie in itself since these two youngsters are absolute naturals and could have easily been the Haley Joel Osments of the 70s. Diana Muldaur is quite moving here, possessing the right mixture of anguish and dread as the twins' invalid mother. This role is a far cry from the feisty cut-throat attorney she played years later on "L.A. Law." Other familiar faces include Victor "Highway to Heaven" French as a menacing hired hand and a pre-"Three's Company" John Ritter as the buoyant father-to-be. Best of all, however, is the chance to see legendary acting coach Uta Hagen in a rare, heart-wrenching turn as the boys' altruistic grandmother. Her last scenes will not soon be forgotten.

This moody little thriller deserved a bigger and better release. Don't miss it. And don't forget "the game"!!!

Fmovies: What can I say? This is an excellent film! I caught the beginning of "The Other" a few months ago on AMC, and of course, it was coming on late on a Saturday night...I didn't get to finish it, but what I saw intrigued me enough to look for the film. As I began to search the web, I found that the movie was based on an out-of-print book by Thomas Tryon. I picked up the book first, and was mesmerized! I also bought a copy for my mother, a bona-fide horror guru. I began talking up the book amongst my friends, many of whom were surprised that I claimed to be a horror fan and had never seen the film!

The movie has a definite look and feel to it, and Mulligan is to be commended for it. From the opening credits, featuring the incomparable Jerry Goldsmith's score, to the opening scenes in the woods, you know that no good is going to come of this. I won't spoil the film for those (and there's no doubt many) that haven't seen it. If you enjoy a good, solid psychological horror story, you will not be disappointed. If you're looking for blood and gore, don't bother.

There's solid performances from the twins, and of course, from Uta Hagen. My one true complaint comes from the ending...it seemed a little rushed, and deviated from the book too much, in a production that otherwise had followed the book quite faithfully. Tryon did write the screenplay himself, based on his own book, so how much can one complain about it? I just feel that the film would've benefited from another ten minutes, ending exactly like the book, including the surprising (and wide-open for interpretation) last chapter.

I adore discovering a film or book that I've never heard of, and, once discovering it, find that the movie has a lot of fans. This is another such movie. It deserves to be on DVD in the worst kind of way. Fans of thrilling, psychological, suspenseful movies will be well served by "The Other." If you haven't seen it, or read it, you should.

As someone has already mentioned, this is the kind of film no one talks about but never forgets. A VERY creepy tale of two twins--one good, the other evil--and what happens one summer.

The setting is beautiful (1920s Midwest), the acting is superb (especially those creepy twins) and there is a real shocking twist halfway through. Also there are a few death scenes in the movie all done with no blood or gore, but they're among the scariest I've ever seen. I'll NEVER forget the shot of someone falling down a well or the father falling down a ladder and landing headfirst on a cement floor. It also ends on a very ambiguous note--the book is clearer.

This is not a horror film that leaps out at you--the scares in it are quiet ones. An unique and excellent psychological horror film--DO NOT MISS IT!!!

The Other fmovies. I'm a thirtysomething who saw this movie as a kid, and it still ranks among the scariest movies that I've ever seen. I've not had luck locating it on video, but, if you find it, check it out. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. This is one scary movie that you're not likely to forget.

Based off the book of the same name, this is a tale of two young twin boys who both appear innocent and sweet in appearance, but one of them is pure evil and is killing off all of the pesky citizens of a small mid-western town at the beginning of the 1920's.

As I said in my summary line, this is one of the best horror films to grace a movie screen. Legendary acting coach Uta Hagen turns in the kind of performance that people only dream about. It seems like she also must have helped out the rest of the cast, because everyone surronding her turns in their best work to date. The film doesn't pile on the blood, but what it lacks in blood it certainly makes up for in suspense and sheer terror. It has a dazzling array of plot developments you just don't see coming from miles away and it is equally sad, scary, and beautiful. The director just hasn't crafted a great horror film, he has crafted a truly great film. It should stand out as one of the best modern day films. I don't want to give away too much details about the film, because it could end up ruining your movie watching experience, but I will say this, it certainly is a film that should be required viewing. It was one of those films that took me by complete surprise. A totally professional production in every respect.

Rated PG; Violence.

Many horror fans, and those who try to write such stories, understand that Stephen King has taken inspiration from the work of others. And there can be little doubt King was greatly influenced by Thomas Tryon's outstanding novels Harvest Home and The Other.

The TV movie version of The Other enjoyed good-ratings and critical acclaim when it was first broadcast on CBS in 1972. Although Stephen King was actively writing horror at the time, I suspect he took subtle cues from The Other. Among other things, little Danny Torrance's psychic manifestation of "the shining" is curiously similar to a phenomena called "playing the game" in Tryon's story.

Thomas Tryon wrote with an elegant style somewhat reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft's. His plots were engaging, his characters interesting and well developed, and his New England settings evoked the gloom and obscure anxiety traditionally associated with that region. So why has his work faded into near-obscurity while King's is heralded as the greatest in the history of horror?

Regrettably, Tryon, who was one of the most highly regarded young actors in Hollywood, started writing rather late in life and died while his creative powers were waning. He also chose to explore genres other than the Gothic (with generally good results.) There is also a more staid, pre-World War II air about his work that might not appeal King's core audience. Nevertheless, Tryon's Gothic efforts translated wonderfully onto the small screen, and he deserves a well-deserved place in the pantheon of American Gothic writers.

Thankfully, American Movie Classics has begun airing The Other again, and a new generation of fans now has the opportunity to enjoy this seminal work of cinematic horror.