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American Gothic

  • 1987
  • R
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
American Gothic (1987)
Home Video Trailer 1
Play trailer2:38
1 Video
99+ Photos
Slasher HorrorHorror

After their seaplane malfunctions, a group of travelers make an emergency landing on an island in the Pacific Northwest and stumble across an isolated and psychopathic family.After their seaplane malfunctions, a group of travelers make an emergency landing on an island in the Pacific Northwest and stumble across an isolated and psychopathic family.After their seaplane malfunctions, a group of travelers make an emergency landing on an island in the Pacific Northwest and stumble across an isolated and psychopathic family.

  • Director
    • John Hough
  • Writers
    • Burt Wetanson
    • Michael Vines
    • John Hough
  • Stars
    • Sarah Torgov
    • Terence Kelly
    • Mark Erickson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Hough
    • Writers
      • Burt Wetanson
      • Michael Vines
      • John Hough
    • Stars
      • Sarah Torgov
      • Terence Kelly
      • Mark Erickson
    • 104User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos1

    American Gothic
    Trailer 2:38
    American Gothic

    Photos126

    View Poster
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    + 122
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    Top cast13

    Edit
    Sarah Torgov
    • Cynthia
    Terence Kelly
    Terence Kelly
    • Psychiatrist
    • (as Terry Kelly)
    Mark Erickson
    Mark Erickson
    • Jeff
    • (as Mark Ericksen)
    Caroline Barclay
    Caroline Barclay
    • Terri
    Mark Lindsay Chapman
    Mark Lindsay Chapman
    • Rob
    Fiona Hutchison
    • Lynn
    Stephen Shellen
    Stephen Shellen
    • Paul
    Rod Steiger
    Rod Steiger
    • Pa
    Yvonne De Carlo
    Yvonne De Carlo
    • Ma
    Janet Wright
    Janet Wright
    • Fanny
    Michael J. Pollard
    Michael J. Pollard
    • Woody
    William Hootkins
    William Hootkins
    • Teddy
    Steve Oatway
    • Paul (when dead)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Hough
    • Writers
      • Burt Wetanson
      • Michael Vines
      • John Hough
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally, Stephen Shellen (Paul) was intended to be the lead. A week into principal photography, Shellan got into a bar brawl and returned to work with his face mangled so badly that makeup wouldn't cover it. Working quickly to prevent the production from shutting down, director John Hough revised the entire script and made Sarah Torgov (Cynthia) the leading character. Hough was credited as a co-writer in the British print.
    • Goofs
      When Teddy and Woody douse Paul's body with gasoline, you can see him blink as this is happening.
    • Quotes

      Pa: [Pa begins spanking Teddy with a wooden stick] Now turn around and prepare yourself for God's justice! TURN AROUND! In the name of God

      [repeated several times]

      Pa: beat him, God, whip him God...

      Cynthia: [Smiling creepily] ... In the name of God... in the name of God... in the name of God!

      Pa: SPANK! Spank, spank, spank, spank, SPANK!

    • Crazy credits
      SPOILER: Steve Oatway Stood-in for Rod Steiger and the other men plus Body Doubled Steve Shellen when he was too injured to work and is seen from the back sometimes and lying face-up in a rowboat after the character "Paul" was killed.
    • Alternate versions
      Although the cinema version was uncut the 1987 UK Virgin video release (as "Hide And Shriek") was cut by 58 secs by the BBFC. The cuts were fully waived for the 2005 Stax DVD and the film released under its original title.
    • Connections
      Featured in Svengoolie: American Gothic (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Happy Birthday to You
      (uncredited)

      Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

    User reviews104

    Featured review

    A Real Creepfest

    American Gothic is a horror movie that is truly horrible and scary: Because what it portrays is a completely psychotic and homicidal family living on an isolated island in the Pacific Northwest who become the only beacon of help for several young people who become temporarily stranded on the island. The lighting in the film is almost nonexistent; it seems as though it were filmed in a basement, which adds to the creepiness. Even though there are some extremely cheezy elements in the film, there's a constant suspicion that something not just bad, but terrible and downright terrifying is going to happen. Rod Steiger and Yvonne de Carlo are absolutely brilliant in this film as "Pa" and "Ma" and are so extreme in their character portrayals that they almost become parodies of themselves and are therefore on the threshold of being humorous. But the 'kids' (who are actually 3 deranged siblings in their 40's and seemingly quite comfortable in their maritime never never land) are so creepy that they make not only your skin but lining of your bones crawl. On a scale of 1--10, I'd give this an 8.5.
    • Eelsnake
    • Feb 21, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is American Gothic?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 1988 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Americka gotika
    • Filming locations
      • Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Brent Walker PLC
      • Pinetalk
      • Manor Ground
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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