The Other (1972)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Tom Tryon (screenplay)
Tom Tryon (novel)

Release Date:

29 September 1972 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Niles and Holland are as close as twin brothers can be. Appearances can be deceiving... and deadly.

Plot:

Down in the farmcountry of the US two twins are born. One of them turns out to be good, while the other becomes rather evil.

Plot Keywords:

Twin | Murder | Accident | Evil | Death

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Uta Hagen	...	Ada
Diana Muldaur	...	Alexandra
Chris Udvarnoky	...	Niles Perry
Martin Udvarnoky	...	Holland Perry
Norma Connolly	...	Aunt Vee
Victor French	...	Angelini
Loretta Leversee	...	Winnie
Lou Frizzell	...	Uncle George
Portia Nelson	...	Mrs. Rowe
Jenny Sullivan	...	Torrie
John Ritter	...	Rider
Jack Collins	...	Mr. P.C. Pretty
Ed Bakey	...	Chan-yu
Clarence Crow	...	Russell

Also Known As:

El otro (Mexico) (Spain) [es]
Chi è l'altro? (Italy) [it]
Den anden (Denmark) [da]
Den andre (Sweden) [sv]
Iblisin kurbanlari (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Kalman sormi (Finland) [fi]
L'autre (France) [fr]
O Outro (Portugal) [pt]
O allos (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

108 min | 100 min (FMC Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:X (original rating) | France:-16 | USA:PG (Approved No. 23156) | Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Murphys, California, USA

Company:

Benchmark

Trivia:

At the early stages of production, author-producer Tom Tryon wanted Ingrid Bergman for the role of Ada (the Grandmother), and Mark Lester for the dual roles of Niles and Holland. When Bergman passed, on account of a previous stage commitment, Uta Hagen was hired and brought aboard twins Chris Udvarnoky and Martin Udvarnoky.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Niles is talking to his mother, she drops her flowers and Niles hops down to pick them up. When he does so his small can of Prince Albert pipe tobacco falls to the floor spilling the contents. However, it can be seen that the contents had already been placed before the can hits the floor.

Quotes:

Ada: Niles, where is the baby?
Niles Perry: Holland's got the baby. He put the pain pills in your tea. He's bad. He'll never go to heaven!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Uninvited (2009/I)

* * * * out of 4. (One of the top 10 horror films of all time!)

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.