The Other Side of Hell

Kayderr I read your review and although I never saw the movie, my father worked in Farview in the late 50s early 60s. Unfortunately, he passed in 1995, however, I do know that he had made friends with alot of patients/inmates. One man painted a beautiful portrait of my sister from a snapshot photo. Another made him a frame, using wooden matchsticks, he also made my Dad a battleship out of matchsticks! Yet another made my mother a pocketbook out of soft pack empty cigarette packs. All items were of extraordinary quality. I'm sorry I cannot be of more help.

I personally knew Bill Thomas, he used to manage my group in the early 90's. He was a fantastically intelligent and sensitive man. This is absolutely a true story, based on real facts and with very little of the plot points changed. Bill would often recount little snippets, details that occurred while he was in the institution. They were both horrific and fascinating, it is difficult to believe that this kind of treatment was actually perpetrated on patients in such places during the 20th century. Both the "Shoe Leather Treatment" and "The Other Side Of Hell" are amazing examples of our ability as humans being to survive and persevere. Bill, I miss ya'. Kurt

I have seen on Amazon in reviews about The Book, the shoe leather treatment, that commentators Believe that Farview staff were convicted of Murder and that the Hospital was shut down. No one was ever Convicted of a Crime although some were Charged. Farview continued to Operate in Pennsylvania as a hospital for the Criminally Insane (a Forensic facility) until it was Given to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in the 1990s to become SCI Waymart. It continued to Function with about 200 beds as a facility for Mentally Ill DOC inmates. Prior to that it served DOC inmates but also took inmates from County Jails who were considered "too Dangerous" for the Forensic facilities at Norristown, Mayview, and Franklin. Often these people had been Charged but not Convicted or sentenced, ie: unable to stand trial by reason of insanity (incompetent). But it also took Sentenced county prisoners who were Mentally Ill. The problem at Farview was essentially that it was Controlled by the Security Officials (law enforcement), not the Treatment Staff, and throughout its life as a State Hospital this conflict for Control raged. Technically ,all the prisoners (patients) were Involved with the Criminal Justice system, Sometimes as today, for Criminalized minor manifestations of their Mental Illnesses. Like most State Hospitals it probably had good wards, and Bad Wards where the atrocities took Place. The books, Cold Storage and The Shoe Leather Treatment, plus the movie The Other Side Of Hell, helped expose these conditions hidden from the Public's View. Now we need to start Looking into State Prisons and county jails where the Criminalized Mentally Ill are being warehoused without any claim to Providing Treatment or a medical model of Staffing. Farview is happening Everywhere.

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.

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.