MovieChat Forums > The Other (1972) Discussion > Tom Tryon didn't like this movie!??

Tom Tryon didn't like this movie!??

posted 13 years ago by IceboxMovies
10 replies | jump to latest

So I was reading the book Conversations With Writers and there's an interview in it from 1977 with Tom Tryon, conducted by Robert Dahlin. Turns out Tryon really hated what Robert Mulligan did with his book/screenplay:

"Oh, no. That broke my heart. Jesus. That was very sad... That picture was ruined in the cutting and the casting. The boys were good; Uta was good; the other parts, I think, were carelessly cast in some instances--not all, but in some instances. And, God knows, it was badly cut and faultily directed. Perhaps the whole thing was the rotten screenplay, I don't know. But I think it was a good screenplay.

"... "It was all step-by-step up to the point of whether I was going to become a director or not. The picture got done mainly because the director who did it wanted to do that property, and he was a known director; he was a known commodity."

Ouch.

[–] AStrangeOldMan 13 years ago

"The rotten screenplay?" But Tryon WROTE the screenplay...

"No fate but what we make." -Terminator II

[–] IceboxMovies 13 years ago

He was probably using the term "rotten" fecitiously, since he then says he thinks the screenplay was good. Either way, I'd say he was being a bit of a diva about the whole thing. The movie was fine.

"What I don't understand is how we're going to stay alive this winter."

[–] zigfried-2 13 years ago

I wish he had been more specific. What exactly about the casting and editing did he take issue with. Does he go into more detail in the interview?

[–] IceboxMovies 13 years ago

No, that's all he says. He's incredibly vague.

"What I don't understand is how we're going to stay alive this winter."

[–] s-young-1960 11 years ago

Tom Tryon didn't like what THE STUDIO did to the movie, insofar as the editing. He wrote the screenplay based on his own novel, and as Executive Producer he pretty much had total control over the production. It was the studio's decisions on scene-cutting and the elimination of 2/3 of Jerry Goldsmith's beautiful score that made him unhappy with the end product. Had the movie been more successful, we'd have a "Director's Cut" DVD release and then you'd get to see how the studio chopped up the movie. Someone really should publish an edition of the novel that includes Tryon's screenplay with it... it's one of the best written screenplays I've ever read, and certainly one of THE best adaptations from novel-to-screenplay that's ever been written.

[–] IceboxMovies 10 years ago

Why would there be a "Director's Cut"? As far as I'm aware, Robert Mulligan released his own final cut of the film.

Tom Tryon didn't direct this movie, therefore he had no final say over the cut. Sure, he was an Executive Producer alright... but Mulligan was the Producer/Director. Therefore, Mulligan had final cut -- not Tryon.

Mulligan himself said that in editing:

"I cut a lot in The Other from long, open shots to tight, constricting close-ups."

I highly doubt it was all the studio's fault for releasing a version of the film which Tryon detested. Tryon bashes Mulligan's direction and complains that he wanted to direct the movie himself, but the studio preferred Mulligan because he had more experience.

I would certainly like to read Tryon's original screenplay of the film, if it is at all available. Admittedly, I haven't read Tryon's book in its entirety, so I have no idea what must have been cut out from the film which he may have wanted back in.

All I know is that whenever I watch the movie, I don't feel like there's anything absent from it that needs to be there. It has a beginning, middle and end, and we have enough time invested in Niles/Holland as there needs to be. I am sorry that Tryon felt like the movie didn't do his story justice, but nevertheless, I am happy Mulligan got to make the movie he wanted.

[–] ElectricWarlock 10 years ago

Well, I haven't read the book so I can't compare it but I've seen the movie a number of times and even if it isn't like the book, I think one should be able to enjoy it on it's own merits. It may or may not be a good adaptation but as it's own film it's very good and I think almost anyone should be able to appreciate it.

[–] antonphibes1929 9 years ago

It's too bad Mister Tryon wasn't in the audience when I saw it at the National Theater in Westwood. When the lights came up, and we got up to leave, I happened to look at the people sitting behind us. It was Rod Serling and his wife. For once, I wasn't tongue tied in the presence of greatness and asked what he thought of the movie. He looked up, smiled and said "I loved it. Best movie I've seen in a long time." Maybe Tryon would have been happier if he'd heard that.

[–] AStrangeOldMan 9 years ago

ROD SERLING?

You did quite well, then. All I would have remembered from that night was seeing Rod Serling, and not which film or which place.

I ran into Sean Astin just after The Goonies was released in line for a Star Wars sequel (and it must have been Episode VI, my favorite?) I remembered meeting him briefly, (and not seeing his MOTHER Patty Duke, who was with him) and not much else about the occasion.

No fate but what we make. -Terminator II

[–] IceboxMovies 8 years ago

Man, I hope Rod Serling told Robert Mulligan how much he loved this movie!