The Other Side of the Mirror Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The Other Side of the Mirror Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 17, 2023

Jess Franco's "The Other Side of the Mirror" (1973) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Macabro. The supplemental features on the release include new program with critic Stephen Thrower; program with actor Robert Woods; audio commentary by critics Rod Barnett and Robert Monell; and more. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Reigon-Free.

It is hardly breaking news that many of the films Jess Franco directed over the years have been promoted around the world with completely different titles. Sometimes it was because their producers thought that they deserved a better title than the one Franco had given them. However, Franco intentionally altered the titles of his films, too. In fact, he frequently shot bonus footage -- usually explicit sex footage -- that made many of his films easy to promote on the adult market as well. Franco never denied altering his films either. He loved making them, but he loved making money with them even more.

The Other Side of the Mirror, a film Franco directed in 1973, can be seen in at least three different versions. This recent release from Mondo Macabro presents the Spanish version of The Other Side of the Mirror, titled Al otro lado del Espejo, which does not have several scenes that Franco shot for the French and Italian versions of the film. (Franco’s muse, Lina Romay, appears in one of these bonus scenes). However, one of these versions dramatically alters the plot of The Other Side of the Mirror as well. Mondo Macabro presents some of these scenes as special features, but the complete French and Italian versions are not on the release.

While it is practically guaranteed that Franco had a good reason, or reasons, to do the French and Italian versions, it seems unlikely that he would have preferred them as the better versions of The Other Side of the Mirror. The bonus footage makes one of them look trashier, while the other resets the story in a rather odd way. In Franco’s films odd is never a weakness, but in this case, what takes place in the Spanish version works better.

In the Spanish version, the young and beautiful Ana (Emma Cohen) has her first romantic relationship with a handsome and cultured young man. However, when the two reveal their plan to marry, Ana’s wealthy father (Howard Vernon) commits suicide and she calls off the wedding. After abruptly abandoning her lavish family home, Ana joins a jazz band as a pianist and for the next couple of years performs in various nightclubs across Spain. But on the verge of completing her recovery, Ana suddenly begins seeing clear signs that the ghost of her father is observing her existence.

The cinematic identity of the Spanish version is quite deceiving, or it could be if one does not deconstruct it while viewing it from the right angle. Indeed, while it is shot to resemble a supernatural thriller, it is one of Franco’s more sincere attempts to declare his love for jazz music and its ability to create a tremendous cinematic atmosphere. (An important clarification: in Franco’s films, jazz music combines everything from psychedelic jazz rock to jazz funk and acid rock). So, even though there are several unexpected twists and turns that are right for a supernatural thriller, they are simply a façade.

It is obvious that Cohen does not play the piano but her ability to lead is on par with that of Soledad Miranda, arguably the greatest actress to appear in Franco’s films. Indeed, Cohen’s performance makes that odd-yet-special overlapping of the real and the surreal that defines Franco’s films appear entirely legit and at the same time very attractive.

The main weakness of the Spanish version is the lack of more diverse content from popular nightclubs. Had Franco visited several such hot spots instead of including just a few long jazz sessions, the Spanish version would have evolved into a pretty special time capsule.

The Other Side of the Mirror Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Other Side of the Mirror arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Macabro.

The release is sourced from a very nice but slightly uneven 4K master that was struck from the original camera negative. Generally speaking, delineation, clarity, and depth range from good to very good, but in select areas small yet noticeable fluctuations are present. The dynamic range of the visuals is good, but the larger your screen is, the easier it will be for you to see that some improvements can be made. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Color balance is good. However, certain primaries and supporting nuances can be better saturated and balanced. Image stability is very good. I did not encounter any distracting age-related imperfections to report in our review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Other Side of the Mirror Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. You will have to use your remote control to turn them off.

The lossless track will not set your system on fire, but it is very healthy and the dialog is always easy to follow. The jazz music sounds very good. However, dynamic contrasts are quite average. Obviously, this is hardly surprising given how the majority of Jess Franco's films were shot and scored. The English translation is very good.

The Other Side of the Mirror Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Stephen Thrower on The Other Side of the Mirror - in this new program, critic Stephen Thrower discusses the conception of The Other Side of the Mirror, its three versions, and the exact period in which it emerged. A general overview of the evolution of Jess Franco's career is provided as well. In English, not subtitled. (57 min).

• Interview with Robert Woods - in this program, Robert Woods recalls how he was approached by Jess Franco and offered a part in The Other Side of the Mirror and discusses his contributions to several other of the director's projects. There are some particularly interesting comments about the great locations Franco used in his films. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by critics Rod Barnett and Robert Monell.

• Alternate Sequences - presented here are several alternate sequences that were included in the other versions of The Other Side of the Mirror. (4 min).

The Other Side of the Mirror Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If Jess Franco had gone to several big nightclubs and flooded The Other Side of the Mirror with twice as many jazz tunes, he would have produced a pretty spectacular time capsule. I like what Emma Cohen does in the Spanish version of The Other Side of the Mirror. I think that she is as good as Soledad Miranda. However, all of the twists and turns with Cohen that transform the Spanish version into a supernatural thriller are just a facade that Franco used to declare his love for jazz music and its ability to create a tremendous cinematic atmosphere. Mondo Macabro's release is sourced from a fine 4K master and is Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.