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:

Ellen Page, Hayley McFarland, Nick Searcy

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ellen Page	...	Sylvia Likens
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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

The true story of a child's punishment that became a woman's crime.

---

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Horror

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Real pictures of Sylvia can be found online, mainly crime scene photos.

---

Goofs

A Ford Maverick is seen parked outside the house. The Maverick was not introduced until 1969, four years after the events of the film.

---

Quotes

Gertrude Baniszewski: There are things in life we have to do, whether we like it or not.

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008)

---

Soundtracks

Walk in Jerusalem
Written by Mahalia Jackson
Performed by Mahalia Jackson
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Bad portraying of truth.

This movie just made me very upset. It made it look like Paula and Stephanie Baniszewski was innocent. Reading the true crime reports of all taken place. Both them girls did horrible things to this poor girl. Why should they be portrayed as anything better then what horrible people they are. What this family and the neighborhood children did to this poor child should be fully shown. They should , hold there heads in shame and be haunted by this the rest of their life's. I could not live with myself if I was to have done anything like this .I only hope and pry the children of this family and all the children involved are punished by a higher means. And for Stephanie to clam she was Salvias friend? What kind of friend would allow someone to be treated this way..hogwash! All horrible people, horrible. They all should rot in hell!

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