The People Under the Stairs
by Wes Craven
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DVD details
Actor: A.J. Langer, Brandon Quintin Adams, Everett McGill, Ving Rhames, Wendy RobieDirector: Wes Craven
Brand: UNI DIST CORP. (MCA)
Producer: Wes Craven
Writer: Wes Craven
Producer: Dixie J. Capp
Producer: Marianne Maddalena
Producer: Peter Foster
Producer: Shep Gordon
Producer: Stuart M. Besser
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 102 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-07
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of The People Under the Stairs
DVD Review: Classic Wes Craven flick
Summary: 5 Stars
Wes Craven has had quite an odd career when you really break down his filmography. He's made so many classics, but he can also be very uneven and make some very weak movies. At times it seems Wes Craven is very hit or miss from one movie to the next. But his status as an Icon of the horror genre is very deserved for all he has done for horror movies. And in my opinion The People Under the Stairs is one of Craven's best of his career.
It took Wes a long time before he broke the big time while Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes are seen as classics; they weren't mainstream when first released. It wasn't until 1984 with A Nightmare on Elm Street when he really had big success and after that it seemed he was hit or miss. Bad deals and studio politics did play a part in that, but here everything that makes Wes Craven great is presented in this movie.
I love the idea of the backwoods killers only not set in the backwoods The People Under the Stairs is set in an average neighborhood over-looking the ghetto. This isn't a straight up horror movie it's also a comedy and even in some bizarre way a twisted fairy tale. While this isn't my favorite Craven movie hands down in my top 3 of his movies. Despite the comedy the movie is sort of creepy at times. And even in the comedic scenes that is also what elevates to being creepy.
While a movie like The People Under the Stairs isn't the most realistic something like this is sort of possible. Craven apparently got the idea from reading a newspaper about a couple of people who kept their children locked up and never allowed to leave the house. And how many times how we heard about a person or in this case a couple who were seemingly normal that did these terrible things behind closed doors? So in that regard this movie is sort of possible, but of course it plays out differently in cinema.
The script was written by Wes Craven and it was excellent; the characters are great even the ones with lesser screen time are well written for and his villains are great. Craven is a good writer for the most part the only problem that can be seen is some of his dialogue is dated based on certain words he uses, but I always thought Craven had a really good grasp on his characters when writing and I loved what he did here. He took a basic concept we've seen done so many times since the 60s and put a nice spin on the idea.
As director Craven creates a great deal of suspense and tension and was able to mix the comedy in and not ruin the atmosphere of his movie, which often happens when a filmmaker tries to mix the two together. More often than not it breaks up the tension. A lot of the running time takes place inside a house and to Craven's credit he manages to always keep it interesting and never lets the pace slag at all. He creates a great nightmarish world with some excellent suspense and tension and again with some good touches of comedy that work very well in the movie.
The cast is excellent and is filled with many known actors, while some of them you may not know by name, but you know by face. The acting is very solid. Some are serious and some a bit campy, it's tough in this kinda flick. Too serious might hurt, but too campy can as well, but the actors all are excellent and play their roles perfectly.
Brandon Adams delivers an excellent performance as Fool, normally I dislike kids in horror movies I can actually count on one hand how many horror films with a child was in the lead that I felt worked. And Brandon Adams is one of those kids that is the exception. He delivers a solid performance and was quite likeable as well in the role of the young hero trapped in the house and trying to stay alive.
The villains were played by Everett McGill credited only as Man and Wendy Robie credited only as Woman. Both actors are brilliant. They manage to be both really creepy and really funny at the same time and never once does it not work. They are a little silly at times and over the top, but it's very believable. I think the fact at times they're kinda funny and over the top only add to their creepiness. I really loved both performances and they both help really elevate this movie so much.
A.J. Langer in I believe her first feature film is excellent as Alice. She's quite sympathetic and really provides a top notch performance and Ving Rhames delivers a fun performance as Leroy. Kelly Jo Minter best know to horror fans from A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child gives a solid performance as Ruby and Bill Cobbs is solid in the small role of Grandpa Booker. But it's Sean Whalen as Roach who simply steals the show.
What I love about The People Under the Stairs is that there is actually a lot of social commentary and not just some horror flick. It deals with child abuse, racism and how the poor are treated in the United States. There really is a lot more happening than you might think. Some of this might be lost on some viewers, but The People Under the Stairs is a much smarter horror movie than its given credit for.
While The People Under the Stairs is a popular flick in Craven's career I also feel it's quite often over-looked. I rarely give 5-stars, even movies I love and consider all time favorites I often give 4-stars. But I really think this movie is deserving of the 5-star treatment. It's a little creepy, a little funny and a strong social message delivered. The People Under the Stairs is Wes Craven at his best.
Description of The People Under the Stairs
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