The Other Side of Hell

Hi there, The movie, the Other Side of Hell, originally aired on NBC. Another title in the works had been Escape from Hell. It is actually a true life story of a man named Bill Thomas. Everyone involved in the shooting of the movie was quite surprised at the end when the disclaimer came on and said that the movie was not based on real events. The insane asylum was in Pennsylvania. Bill went crazy because, at his father's death bed, he asked him for forgiveness (of what I never found out), and his father told him he would never forgive him and then died. Bill went around trying to talk to the dead at funerals to get a message to his father. He realized he was sick and needed help so he confessed to the murder of a girl. He ended up in Fairview State Mental Hospital and was there for nine years before he escaped using the keys he found. After the movie was released, S.L. Stebel (not sure of spelling) wrote a biography entitled "The Shoe Leather Treatment" published by J.P. Tarcher. The Shoe Leather treatment referred to the term the guards used in the hospital/prison when the patients misbehaved. Basically they were kick and beaten half to death. I will look and see if we have any copies of the Other Side of Hell at home any more, though I doubt it. If so, I will post back to the site. NBC might be a good place to look otherwise. Hope this information helps y'all.

Imagine a darker, bleaker variation on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and you have The Other Side of Hell. Both films are well-made and powerful, but sadly this one has faded into obscurity, never released on home video or streaming. As of this writing, I had to watch the film on YouTube in poor quality, though even then, the impact of the performances and story shine through.

While there's nothing graphic in the film, the atrocities depicted are still harrowing for the viewer, and Alan Arkin gives one of his best performances as the disturbed but persevering Frank Dole. Though long and rarely cheery, the story never drags and is well-paced. Given the poor quality of the recording I saw, I cannot judge the cinematography too much. I can only imagine how much more impact-ful this movie would be with clearer picture and sound.

The film deserves more attention and a decent release so more people can watch it.

Never heard of this great movie, no doubt as it was a tv movie. Very long film but doesn't feel it, a great thoughtful watch. Not sure if title refers to what's playing out in his mind and then he enters a new kind of hell in institution. Very little humour but engrossing all the way. Arkin keeps u watching, one nudge away from going over the edge himself. I liked the warmth he shows other inmates at times, everyone deserves respect no matter how far gone they are. I've never understood why people are mean or brutal like this, but sadly it still goes on. Heads up for Magnum alum TJ I think, nice to see him. Glad I found this, big fan of prison type films. Highly recommend this movie. One little thing I found a bit fake, shoe-shining scenes looked very unreal, actors clearly not landing blows, but it was made for tv. A bit of a hidden gem all told.

I remember seeing the movie when it first aired as a TV movie back in 1978, and it has stuck with me since. I've been looking for it on video for 10 years as I would really like to see it again to see if it still resonates. Alan Arkin did an excellent job of conveying the desperation of being trapped. If you liked the Shawshank Redemption, this movie has similar themes-you really feel for the protagonist trapped in a corrupt system. It would also appeal to fans of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest as well. It is hard to believe that this was a made for TV movie, as they are rarely as engaging as this. I wish I knew who I could lobby to get this released on DVD.

Just making a point - the hospital mentioned in other reviews and about which Wendell Rawls Jr. wrote is Farview, not Fairview.

This hospital is still in existence today though it is no longer known as Farview (except for us locals who will always call it that.) It is SCI Waymart.

There appears to be some controversy over whether this film was about Farview or some other mental hospital. I wish someone could clear it up.

I drive by Farview often. It is a creepy looking place now - I can't imagine how ominous and awful it must have looked 40 or 50 years ago when these atrocities were still going on.