IMDb > An American Crime (2007)
An American Crime
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An American Crime (2007) More at IMDbPro »

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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.
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Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   7,152 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tommy O'Haver
Writers (WGA):
Tommy O'Haver (written by) &
Irene Turner (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for An American Crime on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 December 2007 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
This has been the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana more
Plot:
The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(38 articles)
Showtime Signs Shameless Pilot
 (From BuzzFocus.com. 15 October 2009, 10:37 AM, PDT)

Ellen Page dismisses "dark" film reputation
 (From digitalspy. 4 October 2009, 10:22 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Poor basement girl. more (74 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ellen Page ... Sylvia Likens

Hayley McFarland ... Jennifer Faye '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 Dworkin ... Shirley Baniszewski

Bradley Whitford ... Prosecutor Leroy K. New

Michael O'Keefe ... Reverend Bill Collier

Carlie Westerman ... Marie Baniszewski

Michelle Benes ... Hope Orbach
Patricia Place ... Mrs. Doyle
Calvin Keet ... Mr. Doyle
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Basement (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong and disturbing depiction of child abuse and torture.
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
Los Angeles, California, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Ellen Page was the only choice to play Sylvia Likens. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the scene where Gertrude and Ricky are smoking together, Gertrude says, "You ain't old enough for smoke". In 1965, it was legal for minors to smoke as there was no legal smoking age. more
Quotes:
Leroy K. New: Are you scared?
Gertrude Baniszewski: I've been scared about a lot of things for a long time.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Walk in Jerusalem more

FAQ

Was this really based on a true story?
Did any of those involved ever express remorse?
Is Gertrude Baniszewski still alive?
more
8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
Poor basement girl., 21 October 2008
8/10
Author: HumanoidOfFlesh from Chyby, Poland

"An American Crime" tells the unsettling story of Sylvia Likens.The girl was tortured to death by Gertrude Baniszewski,her children and other children from their neighborhood.Her parents,carnival workers,had left Sylvia and her sister Jenny in the care of the Baniszewski family three months before her death in exchange for twenty dollars a month.Her torture and murder were described by the prosecutor in Baniszewski's trial as "the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana".Unlike the recent adaptation of Jack Ketchum's horrific novel "The Girl Next Door" "An American Crime" follows this shocking story more closely.It uses the actual court transcripts to paint the gloomy and horrific portrait of true human depravity.The film is not as disturbing as "The Girl Next Door",but some scenes are quite upsetting and hard to watch for example when the words are being burned into Sylvia's skin.The use of suggestive violence is a wise choice.Ellen Page's leading performance is utterly believable,unfortunately the portrayal of Gertie is disappointing.She was a cruel and manipulative monster without compassion and empathy.Still I liked this film.8 out of 10.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for An American Crime (2007)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Can't bear to watch this movie a second time... xxcrazykamikazexxx
People in Indianapolis remembersylvia
girl next door? striken
horrifying new story moviequeen123
My new opinion. xerxerxex
Parole after only 20 years?! How is that justice? tictacjak
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