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

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)

One of the most suspenseful films I've seen

What makes this film great is how unassuming it is. I became so comfortable with the classic style and old-fashioned feel of the cinematography that parts caught me completely off guard. AMC has been running this film on cable lately - and thank goodness they have. What's truly sad is that I had never before HEARD of this wonderful film. It truly deserves better than that. The film creates such a powerful and personal suspense between the audience and the young boy - it's something you just don't find in modern films of the same genre (even "The Sixth Sense" does not give itself totally to Haley Joel Osment). It's a complex tension that exists because we are made to view everything in the film from Niles' perspective. The young actor basically carries the entire film and must be commended for that. I won't say these twins are the best child actors I've seen, but given the overwhelming amount of absolutely horrible child actors that so often plague an otherwise great film simply because of their "cuteness," these two give an excellent performance. Overall, this film is (or at least should be) a very disturbing experience for anyone who sees it. It doesn't resort to cheap shocks or gore, and is all the better for it. This is a film that any child COULD see, but it's more scary than any violent bogeyman flick. It will leave you with images you may never forget.