The Other Side of Hell
| The Other Side of Hell | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama Psychological horror |
| Based on | The Other Side of Hell play by Robert Hamner |
| Written by | Leon Tokatyan |
| Directed by | Ján Kadár |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 149 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | January 17, 1978 |
The Other Side of Hell is a 1978 American made-for-television film, directed by Ján Kadár and written by Leon Tokatyan, based on the play by Robert Hamner. It stars Alan Arkin and Roger E. Mosley as inmates in a criminally insane hospital.[1]
Synopsis
Businessman Frank Dole is charged with desecration of a grave and breaking and entering into mausoleums, then subsequently deemed criminally insane and incarcerated at a psychiatric hospital. Dole soon realizes there is no "treatment" at this facility, but rather cold brutality from the guards. In an effort to maintain his sanity, he documents his journey in the hopes that someday, someone will comprehend the truth within their walls.
Cast
- Alan Arkin as Frank Dole
- Roger E. Mosley as Jim Baker
- Morgan Woodward as Johnson
- Shay Duffin as Miller
- Nicky Blair as Di Salvo
- Seamon Glass as Tim Donahue
- Leonard Stone as Morelli
- Tony Karloff as Carlo
- Al Checco as pudgy man
- Richard Riehle as tattooed man
Reception
Richard F. Shepard of The New York Times lauded the film, stating that it is a "well-told…gripping one" that keeps viewers engaged "until the denouement".[2]
References
- ^ Dollar, Steve (August 4, 2023). "WATCH FOR FREE: The Other Side of Hell". Fandor. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
Given the anyone-goes nature of Arkin's characters, it's not far-fetched that he might play a mentally disturbed man stuck in the harsh realm of a hospital for the criminally insane. Cred is cred.
- ^ Shepard, Richard F. (January 17, 1978). Rosenthal, A. M. (ed.). "TV: Alan Arkin Stars in a Drama Set in an Asylum". The New York Times. eISSN 1553-8095. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
Mr. Arkin is for the most part frighteningly normal; his acting is a persuasive and touching portrayal of the normal man in a crazy situation. You care what happens to him and to his friend, played by Roger E. Mosley. Mr. Arkin is a man who meets uncaring people, a spineless clergyman, a namby‐pamby lawyer, a frightened wife, no one to offer support.