American History X poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks ... see more see more... , Stacy Keach , Jennifer Lien , Elliott Gould , William Russ , Ethan Suplee , Joe Cortese , Guy Torry , Giuseppe Andrews , Antonio David Lyons , Keram Malicki-Sánchez , Jordan Marder , Nicholas R. Oleson , Anne Lambton , Alex Sol , Paul Le Mat

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) races to tell his... read more read more... 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." ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

96% liked it

430,180 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

82 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Release Date: October 30, 1998

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 6, 1999

Get It:

Stats: 42,332 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

american history X One of the great actor ever born American History X American History X american history X Ed Norton Amerian History X Ed Norton american history x cover Best Pic American History X american history X fly, fly! American History X American History X American history x Edward Furlong American History X
Upload a Photo | View All American History X Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (42,332)

  • DreamExtractor
    December 30, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    American History X is a incredible and brilliant view on racism that has become one of the most loved and acclaimed films of all time. The plot shows us the terrible views of racism and how the people who support it are like, the film does this without feeling like an after scho... read moreol special that wants us to stay away from the KKK (see how I rhymed there), it does it incredibly just by showing us what that kind of like could happen to a man like Derek Vinyard, who is simply just a brilliant character and was amazing to watch, his brother Danny represents how racism spreads through family and how we should teach them not to treat other this way. The cast is great as well, Edward Norton plays his best performance I have ever seen since Fight Club and this may be the best acting of his career. Edward Furlong was also great and was the best child performance of 1998 and he did an amazing job. American History X is one of my favorite films of all time. It is intense, vulgar, and overall truthful which is what made it so genius, but overall just an incredible film that most people I think need to experience.
  • 76Majikat
    December 4, 2011
    76Majikat
    [Rewatch]

    A hauntingly powerful film that will stay with you long after you've watched it. A performance so believable by Ed Norton and such a great physical transformation that he truly forced the way through on White Supremacy creating a very controversial film. A story of m... read moreisdirected hate and anger.

    One of the best prison films made, with some harsh truths of prison politics, a good role for Edward Furlong too.
  • garyX
    November 11, 2011
    garyX
    One of the ringleaders of a Nazi skinhead gang is imprisoned for the murder of a black car thief, but whilst cut off from his peers he begins to question all of the principals he has based his life upon. American history X is an extremely powerful examination of racial politics i... read moren contemporary America, seen from the standpoint of a High School boy who idolises his older brother, the afore-mentioned skin head. It shows how the seeds of racism can be sown through the seemingly innocuous comments of those who shape our young minds and how charismatic charlatans can exploit the disenfranchised for their own agenda by spouting superficially convincing sounding, pseudo-intellectual bullshit that seems to fill the void of their hope-free, hate fuelled lives. The cast are all extremely convincing in their roles and there are some extremely powerful scenes that will stay with you a long time. It's an extremely relevant drama because all of these points can be applied just as much to other forms of extremism; Stacy Keach's insidious white supremacist could just as easily be a fundamentalist Imam preaching hatred toward the "infidel". The only off note in the concept is that the ending feels a little contrived, but it's one of the most intelligent as well as well meaning dramas on the subject I've ever seen. A must see.
  • fb733768972
    August 15, 2011
    fb733768972
    There are not many prison drama's about life that truly have no flaws, but this film definitely proves that a human life, no matter what race, culture, or heritage they may be, we live in an indecent world. To the bear bone story of a Nazi war fighter thrown in prison, to the rel... read moreease and personality change of his character, this film represents film in it's finest hour. The black and white reflections that are an ongoing occurrence throughout the coarse of this film are breathtaking and it makes you feel like you are in the persons shoes as they reflect what past events brought upon such a brutal present and soon to be future. Family is forever, no matter is death ends it early, and this is exactly what the point of this film is. It may have it's moments that are hard to watch, but it is so brutally true that you have to keep yourself glued to the screen and feel the pain. American History X is not only an amazing film, but one of the best I have ever seen!
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    RAW! Be ready for this one. Loved it.
  • jamers2011
    June 9, 2011
    jamers2011
    Great movie! Extemely powerful and touching unlike any other film. Edward Norton gives a stellar performance here, deserving of his Oscar nomination. The supporting cast also gives great performance, Beverly D'Angelo and Edward Furlong in particular. This is an incredible, moving... read more film. You cannot miss this!
  • blkbomb
    May 25, 2011
    blkbomb
    American History X is the greatest movie on racism ever made. Edward Norton is completely convincing in his role as both a skinhead and also as a reformed racist. I love the way black and white is used for the parts when he was a racist and the way color was used for the scenes i... read moren which he had changed.
  • shawnewing92
    March 14, 2011
    shawnewing92
    Incredible. American History X is a film that breaks though racial boundaries and exposes the vulgarity of hate crimes. The acting is great and a lot of the scenes are very thought provoking. This is a highly recommended that will put your thoughts in motion.
  • fb732260458
    February 26, 2011
    fb732260458
    Edward Norton is an acting heavy-weight, we're all aware of that. But this creation - this is something different. Watch and prepare to feel like your innards are being ripped out. Very unsettling drama.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    February 25, 2011
    FiLmCrAzY
    Can't believe ive waited so long to actually watch this film.
    This is truly one amazing movie.
    I love the way this movie was done and portrayed to the audience.
    I absolutely love the storyline, where one mans influences and thouhts and atitudes are squashed and turned upside d... read moreown when he has bad experiences whilst in prison.
    i love this movie really worth the watch.

View All American History X Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Edelstein
August 19, 2011
David Edelstein, Slate

Norton is an amazing actor, a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious. Full Review

Liam Lacey
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

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Though well-intentioned, turns out to be a simplistic and unconvincing look at a serious problem. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

The tone is so muddled that there's a whiff of exploitation to this movie that's unsettling at best. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
January 1, 2000
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Arrestingly photographed, and boasting another intelligent and muscular performance by the chameleon-like Edward Norton, American History X is good! Full Review

Roger Ebert
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

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

While this movie is sometimes overbaked, it is the first major studio release in a while to engross wall-to-wall.

Todd McCarthy
January 1, 2000
Todd McCarthy, Variety

This jolting, superbly acted film will draw serious-minded upscale viewers interested in cutting-edge fare and the latest outstanding performance by Edward Norton. Full Review

Paul Tatara
January 1, 2000
Paul Tatara, CNN.com

When Hollywood attacks a volatile issue, it inevitably spoon-feeds you the main components of the issue several times over. Full Review

Kevin Maynard
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz

A compelling, if somewhat choppy, tragic drama!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Romper Stomper
    Romper Stomper (84%)
  • Higher Learning
    Higher Learning (96%)
  • Animal Kingdom
    Animal Kingdom (96%)
  • G
    G (38%)

More Movies like American History X

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Derek Vinyard: I am out! OUT! Danny is out too, and if you come near my family again, I'm gonna fucking kill you.
    • Danny Vinyard: I believe in: Death, Destruction, Chaos, Filth and Greed!
    • Derek Vinyard: You see this? It means NOT WELCOME!
    • Bob Sweeney: Has anything you've done made your life better?
    • Cameron Alexander: You made the fat kid a little nervous. He thinks the joint messed with your mind.
    • Derek Vinyard: It did.
    • Derek Vinyard: Fuck you! (while getting raped)
Submit a Fact | View All

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 »
More American History X Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All American History X Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add American History X to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

shortcartoonist Skin by shortcartoonist
2583 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins