Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs

Director: Wes Craven Wes Craven

Overview

"Universal's DVD of The People Under The Stairs is a decent if underwhelming edition of the film. The video transfer isn't as sharp as most modern transfers but it delivers the film's nocturnal look of the cinematography with plenty of clarity and no defects. The Dolby 2.0 Stereo audio lacks the power a remix would have given it but it delivers the soundtrack with a decent amount of sonic muscle. Outside of this solid transfer, this disc of The People Under The Stairs has nothing else to offer the viewer, not even a theatrical trailer. Given Wes Craven's willingness to do commentaries for his work, it's surprising he wasn't approached to do the honors for this film. However, the solid transfer and the cheap price make this disc a decent value and this disc of The People Under The Stairs makes a worthwhile pick for horror fans on a budget."

Product Details

Release Date:	10/07/2003
UPC:	0025192123726
Original Release:	1991
Rating:	R
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:43:00
Sales rank:	1,490

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Brandon Adams	Fool
Everett McGill	Man
Wendy Robie	Woman
A.J. Langer	Alice
Ving Rhames	LeRoy
Sean Whalen	Roach
Bill Cobbs	Grandpa Booker
Kelly Jo Minter	Ruby
Jeremy Roberts	Spenser
Conni Marie Brazelton	Mary
Joshua Cox	Young Cop
John Hostetter	Veteran Cop
John Mahon	Police Sergeant
Theresa Velarde	Social Worker
George R. Parker	Attic Cop
Yan Birch	Stairmaster
Wayne Daniels	1st Stairperson
Michael Kopelow	2nd Stairperson
Eileen Knight	Actor
George Parker	Attic cop
Don Peake	Composer

Technical Credits

Wes Craven

Wes Craven	Director,Executive Producer,Screenwriter
Stuart M. Besser	Producer
Shep Gordon	Executive Producer
Marianne Maddalena	Producer
Robert Kurtzman	Special Effects
Tony Cecere	Stunts
Gregory Nicotero	Special Effects
Howard Berger	Special Effects
Peter Chesney	Special Effects
Eileen Knight	Casting
William Perry	Stunts
Donald Summer	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Of all the films Wes Craven made between the commercial peaks of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, this blackly comedic exercise ranks up there with The Serpent And The Rainbow as the best. Craven's clever script mixes fairy tale elements (wicked parents, lost children, a hidden fortune, etc.) with a storyline that touches on serious subjects like racism and child abuse to create an intelligent, socially conscious backdrop for the gruesome goings-on. The People Under the Stairs also benefits from solid performances that give dimension to its archetypal characters: Brandon Adams and A.J. Langer are sympathetic and believable in roles that are especially demanding for young actors and Everett McGill and Wendy Robie are deliciously over-the-top as the ultimate "bad parents." Craven's direction gives these performances a strong framework, striking an effective balance between stomach-churning shocks and quieter but no less chilling moments where the background of the house and its twisted family are explored. On the downside, The People Under The Stairs occasionally lets its ambition get out of hand: some attempts to lighten the grim story with humor fall flat and the last act incorporates some rather implausible twists to direct the storyline in an uplifting direction. Despite these occasional missteps, the film's frequent chills and startling imagination make it worth sticking with. It's a smart viewing choice for anyone interested in going beyond the hits in Wes Craven's filmography.