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    An american crime

    Original title: An American Crime
    • 20072007
    • K-15K-15
    • 1h 38min
    IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    33K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,144
    1,253
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    An American Crime (2007)
    Home Video Trailer from First Look
    Play trailer1:17
    1 Video
    43 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
    7.3/10
    33K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,144
    1,253
    • 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 more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 170User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    An American Crime
    Trailer 1:17
    An American Crime

    Photos43

    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 Likensas Sylvia Likens
    Hayley McFarland
    Hayley McFarland
    • Jennie Likensas Jennie Likens
    Nick Searcy
    Nick Searcy
    • Lester Likensas Lester Likens
    Romy Rosemont
    Romy Rosemont
    • Betty Likensas Betty Likens
    Catherine Keener
    Catherine Keener
    • Gertrude Baniszewskias Gertrude Baniszewski
    Ari Graynor
    Ari Graynor
    • Paula Baniszewskias Paula Baniszewski
    Scout Taylor-Compton
    Scout Taylor-Compton
    • Stephanie Baniszewskias Stephanie Baniszewski
    Tristan Jarred
    Tristan Jarred
    • Johnny Baniszewskias Johnny Baniszewski
    Hannah Leigh
    Hannah Leigh
    • Shirley Baniszewskias Shirley Baniszewski
    • (as Hannah Leigh Dworkin)
    Bradley Whitford
    Bradley Whitford
    • Prosecutoras Prosecutor
    Michael O'Keefe
    Michael O'Keefe
    • Reverend Bill Collieras Reverend Bill Collier
    Carlie Westerman
    Carlie Westerman
    • Marie Baniszewskias Marie Baniszewski
    Michelle Benes
    Michelle Benes
    • Hope Orbachas Hope Orbach
    Patricia Place
    • Mrs. Doyleas Mrs. Doyle
    Calvin Keet
    • Mr. Doyleas Mr. Doyle
    Jeremy Sumpter
    Jeremy Sumpter
    • Coy Hubbardas Coy Hubbard
    James Franco
    James Franco
    • Andyas Andy
    Brian Geraghty
    Brian Geraghty
    • Bradleyas Bradley
    • Director
      • Tommy O'Haver
    • Writers
      • Tommy O'Haver
      • Irene Turner
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —alfiehitchie
    close up of eyesmurder of sylvia likenssingle mothercarnivalbasement69 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • This has been the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Horror
    • Certificate
      • K-15
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews170

    Review
    Top review
    My opinion - Does not portray how horrible this crime really was.
    I rate the movie a 7, as it does introduce individuals to this most horrible series of events. However, in my opinion the movie does not portray the abuse of Sylvia Likens to the extent to fully represent the horror and suffering of her torture. In researching this case, I find the movie "light" on the true depth of this crime. Sylvia Likens had at least 100 burns, contusions, and cuts on her body when she was found. She was starved, placed in scalding baths, and suffered extreme and prolonged abuse. I'm not voyeuristic, but I think that the film really lacks the details of the sequence and scope of events to provide the emotional and intellectual impact that the Likens case calls for. In contrast, "The Girl Next Door" appears to go a little too far in portraying a couple of events that may not have happened (I hope!) - but I believe that "The Girl Next Door" will leave you with a better sense of the true nature of the tragic murder of this young girl.
    helpful•65
    8
    • wayneswords
    • Jun 30, 2009

    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
      • July 18, 2008 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • American crime
    • 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
      • 1h 38min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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