The Other (1972)

A series of gruesome accidents plague a small American farming community in the summer of 1935, encircling two identical twin brothers and their family.

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Tom Tryon (screenplay) (as Thomas Tryon), Tom Tryon (novel) (as Thomas Tryon)

Stars:

Uta Hagen, Diana Muldaur, Chris Udvarnoky

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

In the summer of 1935, 12-year-old twins Niles and Holland Perry live with their family on a Connecticut farm. Their loving grandmother Ada has taught them something called "the game." A number of accidents begin happening, and it seems to Niles that Holland is responsible. It is Ada who begins to see the truth, and she is the only one who can stop this macabre game of murder.

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Plot Keywords:

accident | child's point of view | pregnant wife | brother brother relationship | rat | 

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Taglines:

Please don't reveal the secret of The Other. And DO see it from the start.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In post-production, editing done to the film caused over half of Jerry Goldsmith's music to be left out. The soundtrack was finally available in 1997 along with The Mephisto Waltz (1971).

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Goofs

When Niles is talking to his mother in the front yard in 1935, a jet plane is heard going overhead.

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Quotes

Holland Perry: That damn Uncle George! He said he was gonna do it and he did.

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Alternate Versions

This voiceover from the broadcast television version (which hasn't aired in years... all recent showings show the true, theatrical version) is said in the final shot, by Niles, as follows:

• "Holland, the game's over. We can't play the game anymore. But when the sheriff comes, I'll ask him if we can play it in our new home."
• This voiceover immediately follows Winnie saying "Niles, wash up now." This voiceover, however, cuts off something else that is said by Winnie. In the theatrical version, this voiceover is nonexistent, and Winnie says "Niles, wash up now. Time for lunch." and that is the last line of dialogue spoken in the movie. It is obvious that this ending was especially done for television so that the "bad guy doesn't get away with it." The theatrical version, without this voiceover, implies that Niles never does get caught.

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Connections

Featured in Movie Macabre: The Other (1984)

User Reviews

Underrated Chiller From A Great Director

I remember very clearly that parts of the Thomas Tryon novel just about had me wetting myself, it was that scary, and I wondered if the movie version would do it justice. In many ways, it nearly surpasses the book...which is something that rarely ever happens. Some people don't care for the performances by Chris and Martin Udvarnoky as the twins, Niles and Holland, but the fact that they weren't typical "Hollywoodized" child stars enabled them to give more naturalistic performances, thereby making them more believable...and creepy.

And what can you say about one of theater's Grande Dames, Uta Hagen? I think this was the only film I've ever seen her in, and she's spectacular. Well before "bad kids" became a genre cliché, this one beats all the other like-minded thrillers by a mile, even THE OMEN. (Well, maybe not THE BAD SEED, though.)

And as the cherry-on-top, Jerry Goldsmith turned in one of his best scores on this one. And DP Robert Surtees' work is so beautiful in contrast to the sheer horror it has us bear witness to...

Director Mulligan deserved all the praise he got for THE OTHER, and more acclaim than he did get because of the fact that it was considered a "low-class horror movie." When you watch it, though, you may not think so by the chilling ending. See if this doesn't stay with you for weeks afterward, the way it did for me...

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1972 (Canada)

Also Known As:

L'autre

Filming Locations:

Angels Camp, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$475,611

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benchmark, Rem, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 100 min (FMC Library Print) 100 min (DVD release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1