THE OTHER

US, 1972, 98 minutes, Colour.
Christopher and Martin Udvarnoky, Uta Hagen, Diana Muldaur. Directed by Robert Mulligan.

The Other is a good atmospheric thriller based on former actor, Tom Tryon's novel of the same name. Tryon wrote the screenplay.

Director Robert Mulligan is noted for his more gentle treatment of sombre themes and has many popular film successes like Love With the Proper Stranger, Up the Down Staircase, The Stalking Moon, The Pursuit of Happiness and Summer of '42. Here he deals with horror and violence, but communicates more by atmosphere and suggestion than by explicit sensationalism. His direction of children in To Kill a Mockingbird was highly praised and here he directs the Udvarnoky twins in performances that ensure the success of the film. Noted stage actress Uta Hagen makes her screen debut in this film.

1. How soon was it in the film (or was it at the end or after) that you realised the meaning of "The Other"? How well did the film conceal its mystery while giving clues? What cinema techniques were used for this? Were they fair?

2. Although a horror story, most of the initial part of the film takes place in sunlight. How do the director and photographer create the sinister atmosphere in daylight?

3. First impressions of the twins? Niles? of Holland? What of the relationship between the two? Did it seem good? How did the other members of the household respond?

4. How well was the 1935 Connecticut atmosphere presented? How?

5. Ada? What kind of woman was she? the games she played? The urging of Miles to use his imagination, yet her caution? How successful was the subjective sequence where Niles was the bird? How did it give a key to the mystery?

6. How horrible were the deaths - the rat, the cousin, Mrs Rowe, the taking of the baby? What emotional response did they evoke in the audience? Who did them, according to the audience? How effective was the sequence of Halloween with Mrs
Rowe?

7. How were the deaths related to the twin's father's death? Did the twins have anything to do with it?

8. Why was their mother so distraught? How pathetic and sympathetic a figure was she? How affecting were the scenes of her helplessness and Niles' attention, meals and reading? How did these sequences affect response to Niles? How horrible was their mother's discovery of the truth?

9. What was the significance of the Church episodes and the meaning and symbolism of the angel?

10. What was the effect on Ada as she discovered the truth? How cunning and insane was Niles? What was the significance of the angel and death and paradise? How was Ada the angel?

11. Was fire the only solution to the tragedies? Why did Ada destroy herself? Did she blame herself for what had happened?

12. The latter sequences were night sequences. Did this add to the horror? How? The storm? the wind?

13. Were you shocked to find Niles insane? Could this madness have been detected earlier; could it have been prevented and the tragedies averted? Why was Niles insane?

14. Was the film fair in filming Holland as it did, or were Holland's appearances mysterious?

15. What value has a horror film like this?