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IMDbPro

An American Crime

  • 20072007
  • RR
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
35K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,025
954
An American Crime (2007)
Home Video Trailer from First Look
Play trailer1:17
1 Video
98 Photos
BiographyCrimeDrama
The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
35K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,025
954
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Tommy O'Haver
    • Writers
      • Tommy O'Haver
      • Irene Turner
    • Stars
      • Elliot Page
      • Hayley McFarland
      • Nick Searcy
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Tommy O'Haver
    • Writers
      • Tommy O'Haver
      • Irene Turner
    • Stars
      • Elliot Page
      • Hayley McFarland
      • Nick Searcy
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 182User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    An American Crime
    Trailer 1:17
    An American Crime

    Photos98

    Elliot Page in An American Crime (2007)
    Catherine Keener and Elliot Page in An American Crime (2007)
    Elliot Page and Evan Peters in An American Crime (2007)
    Catherine Keener and James Franco in An American Crime (2007)
    James Franco in An American Crime (2007)
    Catherine Keener in An American Crime (2007)
    Bradley Whitford in An American Crime (2007)
    Elliot Page in An American Crime (2007)
    Elliot Page at an event for An American Crime (2007)
    Ari Graynor at an event for An American Crime (2007)
    Ari Graynor at an event for An American Crime (2007)
    Ari Graynor at an event for An American Crime (2007)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Elliot Page
    Elliot Page
    • Sylvia Likens
    • (as Ellen Page)
    Hayley McFarland
    Hayley McFarland
    • Jennie Likens
    Nick Searcy
    Nick Searcy
    • Lester Likens
    Romy Rosemont
    Romy Rosemont
    • Betty Likens
    Catherine Keener
    Catherine Keener
    • Gertrude Baniszewski
    Ari Graynor
    Ari Graynor
    • Paula Baniszewski
    Scout Taylor-Compton
    Scout Taylor-Compton
    • Stephanie Baniszewski
    Tristan Jarred
    Tristan Jarred
    • Johnny Baniszewski
    Hannah Leigh
    Hannah Leigh
    • Shirley Baniszewski
    • (as Hannah Leigh Dworkin)
    Bradley Whitford
    Bradley Whitford
    • Prosecutor
    Michael O'Keefe
    Michael O'Keefe
    • Reverend Bill Collier
    Carlie Westerman
    Carlie Westerman
    • Marie Baniszewski
    Michelle Benes
    Michelle Benes
    • Hope Orbach
    Patricia Place
    • Mrs. Doyle
    Calvin Keet
    • Mr. Doyle
    Jeremy Sumpter
    Jeremy Sumpter
    • Coy Hubbard
    James Franco
    James Franco
    • Andy
    Brian Geraghty
    Brian Geraghty
    • Bradley
    • Director
      • Tommy O'Haver
    • Writers
      • Tommy O'Haver
      • Irene Turner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real-life daughter, Paula Baniszewski, was released from prison and changed her name. She ended up getting a job as a guidance counselor aide in an Iowa school and worked there for 14 years before anyone found out about her real past. She was immediately fired.
    • Goofs
      James Franco tells Catherine Keener that he needs money to visit his brother in Le-ba-NON, as in the country. Anyone from Indianapolis would correctly refer to that small Indiana town, just west of Indianapolis, as Leb-a-NONE. The two are spelled the same, but pronounced differently.
    • Quotes

      Sylvia Likens: Reverend Bill used to say, "For every situation God always has a plan." I guess I'm still trying to figure out what that plan was.

    • Crazy credits
      The final credit states "Sylvia Likens, 1949-1965".
    • Connections
      Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Downtown
      Written by Tony Hatch

      Performed by Petula Clark

      Courtesy of Disques Vogue and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (France)

      By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

    User reviews182

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•67
    38
    • hateisgreatok
    • May 30, 2008

    FAQ13

    • Was this really based on a true story?
    • Is Sylvia's sister Jenny still alive?
    • Is Gertrude Baniszewski still alive?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 7, 2007 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Basement
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • First Look International
      • Killer Films
      • Showtime Networks
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,306,875
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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