The People Under the Stairs (1991)

Director:

Wes Craven

Writer (WGA):

Wes Craven (written by)

Release Date:

1 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Comedy

Tagline:

In every neighborhood there is one house that adults whisper about and children cross the street to avoid.

Plot:

Two adults and a juvenile burglar break into a house occupied by a brother and sister and their stolen children and can't escape.

Plot Keywords:

Tarot Card | Shotgun | Television Set | Wealth | Caged Human

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Brandon Quintin Adams	...	Fool (as Brandon Adams)
Everett McGill	...	Man; Dad
Wendy Robie	...	Woman; Mom
A.J. Langer	...	Alice
Ving Rhames	...	Leroy
Sean Whalen	...	Roach
Bill Cobbs	...	Grandpa Booker
Kelly Jo Minter	...	Ruby
Jeremy Roberts	...	Spenser
Conni Marie Brazelton	...	Mary
Joshua Cox	...	Young cop
John Hostetter	...	Veteran cop
John Mahon	...	Police sergeant
Teresa Velarde	...	Social worker
George R. Parker	...	Attic Cop

Also Known As:

Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs

Runtime:

102 min | Germany:99 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:18 | Iceland:16 | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2002) | UK:18 (original rating) | UK:18 (video rating) (1992) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | Norway:18 (video premiere) (1992) (uncut) | Norway:(Banned) (1991-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Alive Films

Trivia:

Wes Craven was inspired to write this film after seeing a real-life news story about parents who locked their children up inside their house, never allowing them outside.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Fool and Alice are sliding down the chimney after Fool hits Daddy with the brick, you can see the cable supporting the two as they descend.

Quotes:

Leroy: We done popped this house's cherry.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Girl Fever (2002)

Soundtrack:

THRENODY TO THE VICTIMS OF HIROSHIMA FOR 52 STRING INSTRUMENTS

A classic fairy tale!

I really think people who describe this as a comedy or even a horror comedy are missing the point - it's a classic fairy/folk tale, right down to the theme of the kid having to earn manhood and a "real name" by doing a heroic deed. Wicked step-parents, hidden treasure (gold coins, even!), creepy house with secret passages and monsters in the basement, captive maiden to be rescued, innocent villagers held in slavery by evil (land)lords - it's all there! I know this could be said of a lot of fantasy/horror films, but this one seems to be more clearly derived than most. Loved it!