Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo

A former neo-nazi skinhead (Norton) tries to prevent his younger brother (Furlong) from going down the same wrong path that he did.

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96% liked it

430,180 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

72 critics

R, 2 hrs. 7 min.

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Release Date: October 30, 1998

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DVD Release Date: April 6, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (40,517)


  • September 3, 2009
    Good film but not the best on the subject. I think the acting and script lets it down slightly, it?s just a shame that the original writer got kicked out of the project as his vision would have produced a much better film. Good film, just a little contrived. I blame the producer!
  • June 17, 2009
    Ed Norton is so hot in this movie...but that's not the reason why I love it. It touches such a sensitive topic and done so well that it gives me goosebumps.
  • January 30, 2009
    An almost endemic representation of working-class American culture, 'American History X' could not have been more appropriately titled. American history seeps, breathes and vomits racism in every aspect of life, and nothing in the last 332 years of its Constitional existence has ...( read more)been done about it. It is as natural a part of life as eating and sleeping, something all Americans, no matter what spin they continue to put on it, cannot escape as the single most destructive aspect of life that haunts American history. The titular 'X' symbolises Edwards Norton and Furlong's own existence, drifters, gang-bangers, dedicating themselves to meaningless hatred. They and their kind, their 'brethren', are the unseen unheard class that society ignores. They are shunned from education and jobs, outcasted because of their lack of ability or familial background. They are reduced to a mere statistic, an X. With no hope or chance of being accepted these cultures thrive on the anger and frustration of these young people. And when the different worlds of the different races collide, then the outcome can only be violence. The film may simplify this, but it does so in a genuinely painful and emotional way, as if crying out for something to be done about this. The violence is shocking, brutal, visceral, but it's not glamourised. The consequences are shown that violence only begets more violence, and that human life can be so fragile, yet so valued and necessary. People need each other. And as a warning, a sensitive evocation of a desperately out of control situation in American society, the film succeeds. The performances are outstanding, with a credible and towering turn from Norton. The decision to film the flashbacks in black and white also presents a stark contrast with the escalation of violence into the present. This isn't an easy film to sit through, but it is a devastating and virulent piece of cinema. Angry, anguished and alone, it is the X, the ghost of American history...
  • October 30, 2008
    "His father taught him to hate. His friends taught him rage. His enemies gave him hope."

    Tony Kaye made his feature directorial debut with this dramatic exploration into the roots of race hatred in America. In a shocking opening scene, teen Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong...( read more)) races to tell his older brother, neo-Nazi Derek (Edward Norton), about the young blacks breaking into his car in front of the house, whereupon Derek gets his gun and with no forethought shoots the youths in their tracks. Tried and convicted, Derek is sent away for three years in prison, where he acquires a different outlook as he contrasts white-power prisoners with black Lamont (Guy Torry), his prison laundry co-worker and eventual pal. Meanwhile, Danny, with a shaved head and a rebellious attitude, seems destined to follow in his big brother's footsteps. After Danny writes a favorable review of Hitler's Mein Kampf, black high-school principal Sweeney (Avery Brooks) puts Danny in his private "American History X" course and assigns him to do a paper about his older brother, who was a former student of Sweeney's. This serves to introduce flashbacks, with the film backtracking to illustrate Danny's account of Derek's life prior to the night of the shooting. Monochrome sequences of Derek leading a Venice, California gang are intercut with color footage of the mature Derek ending his past neo-Nazi associations and attempting to detour Danny away from the group led by white supremacist, Cameron (Stacy Keach), who once influenced Derek. Director Tony Kaye, with a background in TV commercials and music videos, filmed in L.A. beach communities. Rated R "for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity."

    Review
    American History X is a powerful statement to modern society. Racism have always been a sensitive subject to tackle and not since Schindler's List have we seen this powerful of a film be presented with such potency. Edward Norton shines in his role as Neo-Nazi white supremacist skin-head Derek Vinyard. He was able to adapt to his character both physically and emotionally. Playing as his brother Danny, Edward Furlong sizes up to Norton's intensity and was able to spar acting wits with him.

    The touch of black & white was a nice addition as well. Director Tony Kaye gave the film a grim look and his eye for visual style was impressive as well. The ending is cringe-worthy. Believe me, you will not laugh or smirk as the film reaches its tragic conclusion.

    American History X is a must-see. You will not be disappointed.
  • September 10, 2008
    "..See reality in your eyes when hate makes you blind.."
  • November 16, 2009
    A shocking movie about hate and it's effects. Great acting and awesome plot. Edward Norton gained my respect with this movie
  • November 13, 2009
    Has anything you've done made your life better?

    That quote changed my life. Huge epiphany. Need I say more?

  • November 6, 2009
    a quite good movie, captivating, realistic, great performances
    edward norton was awesome ;d
  • November 5, 2009
    One of those movies that everytime you see it you hope the end is different
  • November 4, 2009
    This is a very deep movie.. it covered a controversial subject and did not lose the point. Edward Norton did a superb job
    did not lose ground

Critic Reviews


April 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

What partly redeems American History X from its most preachy excesses -- and makes it worth seeing -- is a brilliant, career-high performance by actor Edward Norton. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The ending is a misfire. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The film is always interesting and sometimes compelling, and it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race since Do the Right Thing. full review

View more American History X reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • unplanejayne
    July 5, 2008
    This is the most intense movie that I have ever seen. Great movie. Watched over and over can't get enough of Norton's body in this movie!
  • pavacri23
    April 22, 2008
    excellent movie especially the story. i didn't expect the end in anyways and the movie has a good mesage to learn.
  • ChimiChanga21
    March 21, 2008
    Excellent, brilliant and genial.
    A movie based on a pure and hard truth of life showing that a simple event can change it's course.
    Excellent work starting with the director and ending in the actors, standing out between them, the brilliant interpretation of Edward Norton.
  • MorpheusOne
    September 19, 2007
    This movie is awesome for many reasons. But it is in it's ability to explain how racism is a social disease, and a disease of the mind (in the same way that alzheimers is a disease of the brain), that makes this movie a masterful piece of work.

    Question! Has anybody heard anything about American History X 2. I've heard that it was to be released in the fall of '06. I'm pretty sure that that's a bunch of crap, but I do want to know if anyone has heard of this.
  • waelkoussa90
    September 5, 2007
    Amazing Movie... We've watched it at School At since Then I Love It.. It Contains Deep Meanings & Purposes...Good Job!
  • ikjotrana
    August 30, 2007
    Amazing movie. Very well made and acted.But i wish they should have made it a little more extreme in the action.
    The nazi party could have been better. The prison part was good.I did'nt even have a clue that edward furlong's sonna die at the end.
    The past part in balck & white and the present in colour was very well thought of .
  • Waldheri
    August 19, 2007
    Edward Norton delivers an astounding performance. The whole movie is great and carries an important message. They should show it in schools.
  • emmacatt908
    July 17, 2007
    I think I must have been about 10 when I first saw this film. It has remained my favourite movie ever since.
    The only movie so far that's capable of making me need to turn away, no matter how many times you see it.
    Not only does it send a great message and have a great storyline, performed by brilliant actors, but the way it is told is just great. The way it allows the audience to seperate what's in the present and what's it the past by colour and black & white picture. And also how it is all told over the course of two days through the essay Danny writes. So well thought out!
  • jimmorrison713
    July 12, 2007
    This movie was a good movie. I will not go as far as that, it could have been great but just a little unreal. try "the believer" if you want a more simple yet complex look at race relations.
  • ghostridercowboy7
    July 10, 2007
    A movie that makes you flinch no matter how many timesyou see it. Edward Nortons character is absolutly believable. What makes this movie so incredible is that it makes you take an uncomfortable look at the dark parts of your own soul.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


American History ... : Watch Free on TV


American History X Trivia


  • From which Edward Norton movie is this line said by his younger brother at the end: "Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it."?   Answer »
  • This is a powerful film about racism, brothers and changing your life, starring Edward Norton.   Answer »
  • Who made her film debut in the kid's classic 'Return to Oz' and went on to make films such as 'The Craft', 'American History X' and 'The Waterboy'?  Answer »
  • This movie stars two Edwards, and is about a neo-Nazi skinhead who realizes the error of his ways.  Answer »

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