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.

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Plot Keywords:

jumping on a bed | male objectification | tank top | man wearing a tank top | teenage girl | 

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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

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ellen Page was the only choice to play Sylvia Likens.

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Goofs

In a scene set in 1965, a character rushes into a phone booth and dials for an operator without inserting a coin. The free operator call feature was not instituted until many years later.

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Quotes

Leroy K. New: Are you scared?
Gertrude Baniszewski: I've been scared about a lot of things for a long time.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in The Afflicted (2011)

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Soundtracks

Rules of Love
Written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell
Performed by The Orlons
Courtesy of ABKCO Music & Records, Inc.

User Reviews

The world can be cruel but intentions are crueler!

Well when watching this film i really did not no what i was getting my self into but i must say the film was disturbingly "AMAZING". Ellen Page of course was incredible. The kids the nanny everyone played there part perfectly. How corporal punishment turns so ugly is emphasised in this film with great intricacy.

After I watched this film i could not get it out of my heads for weeks, It was that mesmerising.

The film should have received awards for Pages acting but unfortunately she has'nt.

The film came out on 2007 and i am still rambling on about it in 2008. I urge everyone to watch this film. SUPERB MARVELLOUS is what it is.