The Other Blu-ray Review

"The Other" makes a striking appearance on Blu-ray with its AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the film’s original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, closely mirroring the film's initially intended theatrical presentation. Cinematographer Robert Surtees’ choice of soft, filtered lighting and the occasional use of zoom lenses—which introduced a notable softness to the frame—have been faithfully preserved, offering viewers an authentic experience reminiscent of the film’s original exhibition. Despite a slight tendency toward a pinkish hue in color grading that may not appeal to all, the overall palette is vibrant, highlighting a sunny yet ironically dark narrative. This release benefits from a largely pristine source material, showcasing a natural grain structure without any significant video artifacts, thus maintaining the film’s original look and feel.

The high-definition transfer evidences a meticulous remaster, likely from the original negative, which brings out exceptional detail and clarity. The lush, idyllic landscapes captured by Surtees come alive with richly saturated primary colors, while flesh tones and textures, particularly in close-ups, are rendered with remarkable lifelike quality. The video’s dynamic contrast features brilliant whites and deep blacks, ensuring that shadows and darker scenes preserve their intended impact without loss of detail. Despite the inherent challenges of the source material, resulting in occasional softness in specific shots, the overall presentation is visually spectacular, with sharp lines and detailed textures across foliage, costumes, and buildings enhancing the film’s aesthetic and atmospheric tension.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray edition of "The Other" impressively balances technical fidelity to its source with a vivid restoration of its visual elements. The careful attention to color grading, contrast, and detail preservation not only respects but elevates the original cinematographic work. While minor quibbles regarding color balance might arise, they hardly detract from what is an unequivocally excellent home viewing experience of this psychological thriller.

The audio presentation of "The Other" in its 4K UHD Blu Ray format, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix, stands testament to the film’s quiet ambience, seamlessly blending subtle soundscapes with the movie's more dynamic moments. The mix astutely preserves the original character of Jerry Goldsmith's score, rendering it with remarkable clarity while avoiding the overly strident highs found in isolated score versions. This ensures that the music accompanies rather than overwhelms, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Dialogues are delivered with impeccable cleanliness and precision, ensuring every word is heard, which is critical for a film where every whisper can carry weight.

The sound design, largely driven by dialogues and character interactions, isn't brimming with background activity, yet it effectively utilizes atmospherics to enrich scenes when present. These elements are bestowed with a stunning clarity and an impressive sense of space, creating an acoustical presence that belies the mono mix's inherent limitations. Notably, the soundstage's exercise of ambient sounds complements the visual quality, providing a cohesive auditory and visual experience. It’s worth mentioning, however, that low bass components slightly underperform, particularly noticeable in scenes where one would expect a more pronounced impact, like the roar of thunder.

Vocal clarity is another highlight of this mix, with every line articulated distinctly throughout the film's runtime. This focus on clear and intelligible dialogue ensures that the narrative's subtlest nuances are conveyed to the audience. Despite the minimalist approach and the occasional lack of dynamic bass, "The Other’s" audio presentation remains an outstanding achievement in lossless mono soundtracks, effortlessly supporting the film's atmospheric tension and psychological depth.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation of "The Other" notably excels in its extras segment, particularly with the inclusion of Jerry Goldsmith’s isolated score track. This aspect stands out for its superior audio quality compared to the original soundtrack, despite some strings sounding slightly brittle. The addition of Goldsmith’s conducting cues and studio chatter elevates the experience, offering an intriguing glimpse behind the scenes. This track exemplifies Goldsmith’s talent in intertwining lyrical and dramatic elements to enhance the film’s ambiance. Furthermore, his adept manipulation of musical themes and key changes intricately contributes to the narrative’s eerie yet peaceful atmosphere. However, it's noteworthy that aside from this isolated score track and the original theatrical trailer, no other special features complement this release, which might be a drawback for enthusiasts seeking a deeper exploration of the film’s production and thematic layers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Theatrical Trailer: A brief preview of the film.
• Isolated Score Track: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track of Jerry Goldsmith's score, including conducting cues and studio chatter.

"The Other," presented in a stunning 4K UHD Blu-Ray format, unravels a complex narrative that defies the conventional boundaries of horror, molding itself more accurately as a psychological drama with harrowing undercurrents. Directed by Robert Mulligan and adapted from Thomas Tryon’s own bestselling novel, the film weaves an intricate tale of twin boys, Niles and Holland Perry, set against the backdrop of a bucolic 1930s farm. This adaptation captures the unsettling essence of Tryon’s story, brilliantly showcasing Mulligan’s unique ability to create tension and dread without reliance on overt displays of violence. The twins' engrossing dynamics and the psychological depth with which their characters are explored contribute significantly to the film's eerie ambiance.

Central to the film’s success are its performances, notably from stage legend Uta Hagen, and the visually poetic cinematography by Robert L. Surtees that complements Jerry Goldsmith’s evocative score, turning "The Other" into a lingering cinematic experience. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, this feature has since garnered a cult following, attributable to its nuanced approach to storytelling and its ability to transcend typical genre constraints. The aspect of dissociation and duality not only plays out through its protagonists but also through the film’s creative use of visual framing and narrative pacing, effectively keeping viewers engaged and on edge till its climactic revelations.

Delving into elements of loss, innocence corrupted, and the complexities of human nature, "The Other" stands as a testament to Mulligan’s directorial finesse and Tryon’s multifaceted talents as both an author and screenwriter. While the movie tantalizes with occult underpinnings and supernatural hints, its true terror lies in the unraveling human psyche, manifesting in a tale that’s as captivating as it is disquieting. This cinematic outing may not have been a heralded masterpiece upon its release, but its subsequent appreciation underscores its significance within Mulligan’s oeuvre and the psychological thriller genre.

"The Other," a film based on the bestselling novel by Tom Tryon, directed by Robert Mulligan, is a piece that stands out more for its psychological depth than for traditional thriller elements. Released in 1972, this movie deviates from Mulligan's earlier, more innocuous portrayal of childhood in "To Kill a Mockingbird," presenting instead a darker, more disturbing narrative. Failing to connect with audiences upon its initial release, perhaps due to its unconventional approach and the subtlety of its terror, "The Other" has since garnered appreciation for its intricate plot and the way it challenges viewers' perceptions, encouraging interpretations that delve deeper than what appears on the surface.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Other" receives high praise for its audio and visual quality, which significantly enhances the viewing experience. The crispness of the image and clarity of sound bring a new level of immersion to this 1970s psychological thriller, allowing its atmospheric tension to fully envelop the audience. However, it's noted that the package could have benefited from a broader selection of supplemental materials to enrich the contextual understanding of the film. Despite this, the edition is expected to delight nostalgic fans and perhaps introduce the movie to a new generation, offering them a vivid glimpse into its hauntingly twisted narrative.

In conclusion, "The Other" in its 4K UHD Blu-ray incarnation is highly recommended for both long-standing admirers and newcomers curious about this lesser-known gem. While the film itself may not conform to the conventional expectations of horror or thrillers, its exceptional presentation and the multi-layered complexity of its story make it a remarkable cinematic experience. As viewers navigate through the psychological labyrinth crafted by Mulligan and Tryon, they are offered an opportunity to explore themes of innocence lost and the duality of human nature, making "The Other" a compelling watch that lingers long after the final credits roll.