An American Crime (2007)

The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.

Director:

Tommy O'Haver

Writers:

Tommy O'Haver, Irene Turner

Stars:

Elliot Page, Hayley McFarland, Nick Searcy

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elliot Page	...	Sylvia Likens (as Ellen Page)
Hayley McFarland	...	Jennie Likens
Nick Searcy	...	Lester Likens
Romy Rosemont	...	Betty Likens
Catherine Keener	...	Gertrude Baniszewski
Ari Graynor	...	Paula Baniszewski
Scout Taylor-Compton	...	Stephanie Baniszewski
Tristan Jarred	...	Johnny Baniszewski
Hannah Leigh	...	Shirley Baniszewski (as Hannah Leigh Dworkin)
Bradley Whitford	...	Prosecutor
Michael O'Keefe	...	Reverend Bill Collier
Carlie Westerman	...	Marie Baniszewski
Michelle Benes	...	Hope Orbach
Patricia Place	...	Mrs. Doyle
Calvin Keet	...	Mr. Doyle

Storyline

Based on a true story that shocked the nation in 1965, the film recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. Sylvia and Jennie Fae Likens, the two daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the Indianapolis home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her six children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's financial needs cause her to make this arrangement before realizing how the burden will push her unstable nature to a breaking point. What transpires in the next three months is both riveting and horrific.

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Plot Keywords:

close up of eyes | murder of sylvia likens | single mother | carnival | basement | 

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Taglines:

The true story of a shocking crime and a secret that wouldn't keep.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong and disturbing depiction of child abuse and torture

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard "Ricky" Hobbs, the 14-year-old boy who wrote the hot needle on Sylvia's stomach, died from lung cancer on January 2nd 1972 at the age of only 21, a day before Sylvia's 23rd birthday.

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Goofs

When a shot of the front of the house is shown, you can see that there is a red Chevrolet Corvette '68 parked in front of the neighbor's. At that time, the story is set in 1965.

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Quotes

Sylvia Likens: She sacrificed me to protect her children, and she sacrificed her children to protect herself.

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Crazy Credits

The final credit states "Sylvia Likens, 1949-1965".

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Connections

Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008)

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Soundtracks

Hi Henry's Triumphal March
Written by Orion R. Farrar
Performed by Tangley Calliope
Courtesy of Marion Roehl Recordings

User Reviews

An American Crime vs. Girl Next Door

First of all someone said " The Girl Next Door" wasn't based on actual events .You'd have to be oblivious not to see it's based on this case with some minor changes.

I feel that The Girl Next Door is a much more disturbing film then An American Crime because the degree of abuse is much more accurate in relation to what happened in real life.

Also I was somewhat disturbed that the the director tried to show Gertrude in a somewhat sympathetic light as if he was trying to make some sort of feminist statement that Gertrude was a victim of 50's male oppression.In reality she was a sexual sadist of unspeakable proportions.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 2007 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Basement

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,306,875

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International, Killer Films, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1