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Flowers in the Attic (1987)

Flowers in the Attic Movie Poster
B

ased on the hugely-successful V.C. Andrews novel, FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC spins a dark tale of greed, selfishness, horror, and cruelty.

For the Dollanganger children – Chris, Cathy, Cory, and Carrie – life is perfect. They live in a beautiful home, secure in the love of their parents. But all that is shattered with the sudden, horrific death of their father. Corinne, their mother (Victoria Tenant) realizes, to her and their dismay, that she has no means to support them. So she and her brood decamp to the mansion home of the parents who disowned her long ago. It’s the only place the family has left to go.

The heartbroken children come to the mansion on the expectation of living like rich kids, but that illusion is shattered shortly after they arrive. They are put into the supervision of their bible-thumping grandmother (Alice Fletcher) who insists they remain under lock and key in a bedroom off the mansion’s attic until their grandfather dies. Corinne’s parents disinherited her for marrying her half uncle, and as far as the children’s grandmother is concerned, they are unholy spawn who are to be secreted far away from their ailing grandfather’s sight.

The children grudgingly accept their lot, buoyed by their mother’s reassurances that the grandfather doesn’t have much time left on earth and that they’ll soon be set free to enjoy the riches she will inherit. But the time drags miserably on as their grandfather clings to life. While the children endure abuses like starvation, beatings, and poisonings, Corinne lives the life of a queen in the lower regions of the house. Before long her four incarcerated children are no longer of any importance of her.

Left to their own devices, they alternate between patiently waiting for the salvation of their grandfather’s death and the desire to flee. A thwarted escape attempt by Chris and Cathy force them to cool their heels and bide their time.

Corinne continues to slip farther and farther away from the children, both literally and figuratively. Even Chris, her strongest proponent, does an abrupt about face at the revelation that she is going to remarry and cut herself off from them even more.

Suddenly Cory falls ill, and Cathy vows vengeance against Corinne should Cory die. When this tragic event occurs, the remaining children know there’s only once choice to make: flee the mansion.

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Written By: Celeste Harmer [Contact]
 

This movie has been panned terribly, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does the ending differ tremendously from the book’s, but the sequence of events, especially in the beginning, is very rushed. Also, the film gives off a creepy incestuous vibe, as evidenced by Chris and Cathy’s too-deep attachment to each other (to wit: he scrubs her back while she’s naked in the tub).

Clare Peck’s wonderful voice over is the narrative of the grown-up Cathy retelling the story.

The very best part of FLOWERS is its soundtrack, in particular its eerie, haunting main theme. It was created by soundtrack composer Christopher Young.

It’s strongly recommend that you read the book FIRST before you watch this movie!


Rewind Factor: 8.5
 
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Kristy Swanson, who plays Cathy in Flowers in the Attic, later went on to star as Buffy in the 1992 movie "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" -Thanks to Melissa

Lindsay Parker is the daughter of Andy Parker, original drummer for British rock band UFO. -Thanks to Lauren Reese

The part of the chilly, steely-eyed grandmother is played by Louise Fletcher, who also played the chilly, steely-eyed Nurse Ratched in the classic 1975 film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", a role for which she took home the Best Actress Oscar in '76. -Thanks to Denise

V.C. Andrews herself has a cameo in this film! Watch for her as the maid scrubbing a window. You’ll see this scene after Chris and Cathy’s escape attempt.

Louise Fletcher also played Kai Winn, in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". -Thanks to Teran Morris

Louise Fletcher also starred with Cynthia Gibb in The Karen Carpenter Story. -Thanks to Shannon

Jeb Stuart Adams, the older brother in Flowers in the Attic, is also one of Troy's friends at the wishing well in Goonies. -Thanks to Mike

In the novel the mother doesn't actually get thrown over the balcony at the end!!

The novel was WAY creepier then the film, as are the book's sequels. There are extra violent scenes between the children and developments in their relationships, not shown in the movie. -Thanks to Bridgette Marie And Stacy

Wes Craven had written a screenplay adaptation for Flowers in the Attic and was planning to direct the film version himself.

The movie's ending was just one of several filmed. -Thanks to Barnaby Marriott

The mansion exists in New England. It is called Castle Hill and it is located on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA (and tours are available).

Not sure why there were talks of a sequel, but at one point, producers approached Kristy Swanson to star in the next chapter of the series "Petals on the Wind"

Victoria Tennant naturally has a British accent, but disguised it for the film. She admitted to having a particularly hard time with the word "children", as you can see in the movie. -Thanks to Allyson

Victoria Tennant, who plays their mother, was married to Steve Martin. They divorced in 1994. -Thanks to Kimberly Whitehead

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Rediscover your favorites! If you like Flowers in the Attic or 80's Thriller classics, then be sure to check out this list: ..... Hitcher ..... Thief ..... WarGames ..... Christine ..... Against All Odds ..... Blue Velvet ..... 8 Million Ways To Die ..... To Live and Die in L.A. ..... Fear City ..... Pulse ..... No Way Out ..... Blow Out ..... Class of 1984 ..... Contraband ..... Body Double ..... Firestarter .....[More]




Goofs
 


When the family arrives at Foxworth the vast lawn seems to climb pretty steep; and when the three leave at the end the lawn doesn't seem to be graded at all and just seems to gently roll out. -Thanks to Jethro

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Massachusetts Locations
Flowers in the Attic Movie Locations
 Flowers in the Attic Locations
 
Featured Movie Location: The house
Wanna see the real life filming location used for The house in the movie? These scenes were actually shot at Crane's Castle, located in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [Show Google Map]


The house in the movie is located in Ipswich Massachusetts. It is called Castle Hill. [Thanks to Karyn]

The mansion is the same one that was used in 'The Witches of Eastwick'. You can tell it is by a scene in 'Witches' in which Jack Nicholson and Cher are outside having lunch. [Thanks to Sonja]

The mansion is the Crane Estate (of Crane plumbing fixures fame) It is owned by the Trustee of Reservations and can be visited at various public events during the year. [Thanks to Vickie Rose]

The notoriously famous "Greystone Mansion" In L.A. Califoria was used for many of the inside scenes for the movie. [Thanks to Jimmy]

Can you help? Do you know any of the Ipswich, Massachusetts filming locations used for Flowers in the Attic? [Please send them in]

Flowers in the Attic DVD
 
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Flowers in the Attic DVD -USA
[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced][5.1 CH SURROUND]Trailer
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Flowers in the Attic UK / Europe or Region 2 DVD
[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]
[5.1 CH SURROUND]
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Absolutely magnificent! The original music by Christopher Young is the very best part of the movie. Track listing:

1. Flowers in the Attic
2. Grandmother's House
3. Up on the Rooftop
4. Seventeen Lashes
5. Bathing
6. Children of the Devil
7. Goodbye, Daddy
8. One Flower Dies
9. Sleeping Witch
10. The Attic
11. God Sees Everything
12. The VCA Waltz
13. May Flowers
14. End Title

The eerie, haunting, voice that sings the a cappella version of the theme song can also be heard singing a cappella in the movie "Bram Stoker's Dracula".

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Soundtrack Available:
On CD


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"Four children left to wither and die... like flowers in the attic."

 
Flowers in the Attic Picture
Grandmother, played by Louise Fletcher, awaits...
Flowers in the Attic Picture
Realisation starts to dawn.
Flowers in the Attic Picture
Flowers in The Attic
Flowers in the Attic Picture
Complicit in the crime...

Flowers in the Attic Movie Details
Year:
1987
Studio:
Touchstone Pictures
Director:
Jeffrey Bloom
Starring:
Louise Fletcher, Victoria Tennant, Kristy Swanson, Jeb Stuart Adams, Ben Ryan Ganger, Lindsay Parker
--
Genre:
Thriller
  
+
Beautiful soundtrack and voice over.
-
Ending totally different from the book's. Creepy incestuous vibe.

Flowers in the Attic Links
The best links we've found for Flowers in the Attic.
IMDb page for Flowers in the AtticThe IMDb page for Flowers in the Attic
Trailer for Flowers in the AtticTrailer for Flowers in the Attic

The complete V.C. Andrews
Truly excellent site devoted to the author.



 

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Flowers in the Attic and all movie images are ©1987 Touchstone Pictures.
All original content is ©1999, 2008 Fast Rewind WebSites. Page Written By: Celeste Harmer