American Gothic

1987
R
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:38

1 Video

99 Photos

Slasher Horror Horror

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Psychiatrist
(as Terry Kelly)

Mark Erickson

Jeff
(as Mark Ericksen)

Caroline Barclay

Terri

Mark Lindsay Chapman

Fiona Hutchison

Lynn

Stephen Shellen

Paul

Rod Steiger

Yvonne De Carlo

Janet Wright

Fanny

Michael J. Pollard

Woody

William Hootkins

Teddy

Steve Oatway

Paul (when dead)
(uncredited)

Director
- John Hough
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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American Gothic

Storyline

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Did you know

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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
Ma: Don't you want to join the clean plate club?

Crazy credits
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 reviews103

Review

Featured review

It could happen to me ... or you!!!

I couldn't sleep the night I watched "American Gothic" for the first time. (I've seen it twice more since.) Unlike "Nightmare on Elm Street" which could only happen in a nightmare, this movie was so real...highly unusual, but real.

It's possible to be stranded on an island and meet strange seemingly "backwards" people who seem innocent enough, but have a twisted view of what's right and wrong, and an insane idea that they are in charge of other people's actions. I've known people like Ma and Pa, who you wouldn't want to mess with if you pulled off the faux sheep cover.

Every inch of this movie could have happened to any one of us, the insanity, the self-righteousness, the hideousness, the out-of-this world notions--well maybe not every piece. I mean, what parents would allow their adult children to behave that way?

The most amazing way that this movie affected me, was that I cheered Cynthia on in the end---and that scares me, because, like I said-- "It could have happened to me....or you!!"

If you want to be baffled and scared to death, watch "American Gothic". It will make you think twice about the people you come in contact with.