Any idiot can make us wince at the ugliness of beatings and shootings.
American History X (1998)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:72
Fresh:60
Rotten:12
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: A compelling and provocative story led by an excellent performance by Edward Norton.
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Edward Norton gives an impassioned performance as Derek Vinyard, a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the... Edward Norton gives an impassioned performance as Derek Vinyard, a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the error of his ways. Upon reentering the real world, he must now turn his attentions to his younger brother Danny, who is swiftly heading down the same path as his brother. Controversy surrounded the film when director Tony Kaye disowned it, claiming that Norton had the film re-edited without Kaye's permission. Norton still got an Oscar Nomination for his intense performance. [More]
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Suplee, Avery Brooks, Elliott Gould, Stacy Keach, William Russ
Director: Tony Kaye
Director: Tony Kaye
Screenwriter: David McKenna
Producer: John Morrissey
Composer: Anne Dudley
Get This Movie
Reviews for American History X
The film's most incongruous and embarrassing scene is a black-on-white basketball game: shot like a Nike ad, it trivialises the subject.
The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.
Among the biggest deficiencies in the story is the lack of proper motivation for Derek's beliefs and actions.
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.
if you've forgotten how to stay calm while somebody probes you with a pointed object such as racism -- stay home or make sure you watch this film to the end.
A work of impressive scale and craft and not a movie that's easy to dismiss in the end.
This journey to unpleasantville is too often manipulative and strains to maintain tension.
...a brutal and disturbing movie that discusses and demonstrates racism, prejudice, and human blindness.
Latest News for American History X
August 25, 2009:
EW Lists 16 Classic "Dare You to Look" Scenes ![]()
All the Nazi-scalpin' action in "Inglourious Basterds" has got the EW staff to thinking about some of the most hard-to-watch scenes in film -- and to that end, they've assembled... More...
October 07, 2007:
American History X Directors Cut Coming...Sort Of
In 1998, director Tony Kaye battled New Line Cinema over the release of American History X. Dissatisfied with the studio's meddling in his artistic vision, the theatrical cut... More...
August 11, 2005:
Tony Kaye Returns to Dish Out Some "Paranoia"
Controversial filmmaker Tony Kaye ("American History X") will direct his first movie in quite some time when he steps behind the cameras on "Paranoia." The... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- American History X at Rotten Tomatoes
- American History X at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



