The Other

 

 

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This is a very very very very very very very very scary movie. Okay so maybe I exagerated on the verys, but this is a very scary movie. One of the previous reviewers said that it was scarier than The Exorcist and The Omen, well I have to disagree. That put my expectations high for this film, but I still wasn't dissappointed. I think Satan is probably the scariest thing in this universe. Actually the only thing scarier than the devil is the wrath of God and you CAN'T capture that on film. This is a rather unusual horror film that is kind of confusing, but entertaining and very disturbing. Even if by some weird circumstance you don't get scared, you still have to admit that it is a really good movie. It is very well made so even if the scares wear off on you, there is still a great story with GREAT characters and most of all THE BEST ACTING I'VE EVER SEEN! The boys are amazing.They portray their characters so well. This new generation will not appreciate this film. As a matter of fact, THEY'LL HATE IT!!! That's because todays youth like movies like The New Guy and Scary Movie, and stupid NOT SCARY MOVIES like Scream, I know what you Did Last Summer, Cherry Falls, and Prom Night. They don't like a complicated story, so if you are looking for something with buckets of blood, DON'T LOOK HERE! I don't mind gore, as long as it helps the movie (The Omen comes to mind) and gore really in most movies doesn't make the movie scary, it actually takes away from the atmosphere. Some slashers are very scary like Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Psycho, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Fog, The Boogeyman, and Friday the 13th part 1. But this generation can't appreciate this type of horror, but they will eventually. Believe it or not, I'm part of the youth of today, and I'm very hard to scare, so if it scared me, it'll terrify you. While it is not a scary as The Exorcist or The Omen, it has a much better story than both of those. Yes this movie is very scary, and joins the likes of The Exorcist, The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, and The Evil Dead as one of the scariest movies ever!!! Remember that this a bit of a thinker, so if you don't like thinker this is definately not for you. I hope I have helped you with your choice of buying this movie. I liked it, but it isn't for everyone. I think it is scary so I suggest to anyone with good taste to see this movie alone in the dark. Have Fun!!!

if this movie was available on dvd, i would buy it today. this movie is one of the best creepy mind blowers i've ever seen. it is truely a lost gem. if you like "omen", "damien omen II" or even another overlooked gem "burnt offerings", you will love this one for sure.

Interesting suspense film along the lines of movies like "The Bad Seed", this effective little shocker that evolved from the early 1970s is surprisingly a good movie. I wasn't expecting much from it, and the cover of the DVD led me to believe it was something along the lines of "The Omen", but I was pleasantly surprised with how the film turned out. It's an effective little horror movie with plenty of twists and turns, a clever script, and some pretty good acting. Set in an unnamed American farming township in 1935, the story revolves around eleven-year-old Niles Perry and his identical twin brother Holland. Portrayed by can't-tell-'em-apart twins Chris and Martin Udvarnoky, Niles and Holland are part of an extended family whose matriarch is Ada (legendary German actress Uta Hagen). The boys' father is dead, and their mother (Diana Muldaur) spends most of her screen time traipsing dourly about the homestead.

From the get-go, Niles is obviously the well-behaved one of the two, as well as the 'follower' in their relationship. Holland resorts to various mischief, often landing his twin into trouble in his stead. There's some sort of family heirloom in a clandestine tobacco tin which Holland has apparently relinquished to Niles, who doesn't seem to want it. A traveling circus comes to the area, featuring a sleight-of-hand magician who inspires the boys. Ada is a wisened old Russian immigrant, and she shares a special bond with Niles which seems to be clairvoyant in nature. When the twins' mother is paralyzed in a tragic fall after confronting them about the mysterious heirloom, Ada realizes that she must set right a great evil which she had unknowingly set off some time before. And although Holland appears to be at the center of the misdeeds afoot here, Niles must confront his own participation in the events which have shaped the present scenario.

The murderous "accidents" telegraphed in "The Other" are few and bloodless. This is not a graphic film by any means. But it is certainly horrific, at least during the second act. Once again, you'll find yourself musing, "Wait....this is rated PG ?!?" I my respects to the late Victor French (known more affectionately to TV audiences as Mr. Edwards on "Little House On The Prairie") as a crazed farm-hand who figures in strongly during the blood-freezing finale. You may also recognize a young John Ritter who makes a couple small and modest appearances through out the film. The real-life twins are excellent in this film. It's really a shame that this was their only film.

The term "psychological thriller" was coined a long time ago, probably by some filmmaker who wanted a more dignified label for the horror flick he was shooting at the time. "The Other" is all of the above. It plumbs the depths of psychological dysfunction and murderous illusion while convincingly illustrating the look and the lay of 1935 Americana, much like Mulligan's job on "Mockingbird" ten years prior. It snares, ingratiates, rivets, shocks and then horrifies you. And it got a PG. Only in 1972, I guess....

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4.0 out of 5 stars Gothic Heartland
This film holds up well in the decades since its release. It was filmed boldly in color, and yet director Robert Mulligan still maintained the "feel" of the Depression in 1935... Read more

Published on July 8 2004 by Glenn A. Buttkus

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly Amazing
Why have I never heard of this movie before???? Totally out of any spotlight, this movie is much like Holland (the evil twin brother) lurking in the shadows. Read more

Published on May 1 2004 by Kuda

4.0 out of 5 stars Let's Have It on DVD Please
I saw this movie many years ago on late night TV and it made an indelible impression. Later tracked down the book by former actor, Tom Tryon. Read more

Published on April 10 2004 by CB

3.0 out of 5 stars Little House on the Prairie gone haywire
This is one of those movies that take a long time to build up. Nothing much happens during the first hour. Read more

Published on Feb 21 2004 by Beth

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fascinating! Highly Recommended!
Flawless creepy film from the 70's (sadly forgotten) I've seen at least 10 times in my 39 yrs. I loved it and always will. Uta Hagen rocks! Read more

Published on Jan 24 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars disturbing !!!
Okay I remember seeing this movie while browsing the horror section a long time ago and not really thinking much about it... Read more

Published on Dec 1 2003 by Daniel Collins

5.0 out of 5 stars chilling poetry
I really like the image composition and the photography of the 70's. The Other brilliantly mingles poetry and mystery into a cinematographic jewel which is a pleasure for the... Read more

Published on Nov 17 2003 by Jonathan Paré

5.0 out of 5 stars the other
This is by far one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. The story is incredible. I'm surprised no one tried to remake this flim, clearly overlooked. Read more

Published on Sep 3 2003 by Jacy P. Singleton

4.0 out of 5 stars Underrated Psychological Thriller
I watched this film late at night after having seen "Freddy Vs. Jason" and I don't need to tell you that "The Other" freaked me out more. Read more

Published on Aug 17 2003 by gjung27

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS MOVIE
This movie is the best movie that you want to see, it's not like some of the other movies that are out. Read more

Published on July 30 2003 by D. Colbert

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