American History X Reviews

With a tour de force performance from Edward Norton, this nightmare on film will stick with you.

A provocative but realistic and thoughtful examination of racism, prejudice, brainwashing, and hatred in society. Featuring great performances from Edward Norton and Edward Furlong. Not a particularly easy film to watch due to the violent content but this film is important nonetheless and should be viewed along with Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' when trying to understand the racial fracturing that exists in modern society.

My reaction to this powerhouse critical darling is a bit mixed. It's nothing if not a tolerant, realistic, masterful film that features the performances of two talented actors with their own striking resumes: Edward Norton and Edward Furlong. It does cover the many different facets of the racism, brainwashing, and tactics of large, fatalistic cults or factions such as the neo-Nazis. The film follows the downfall of an intelligent young man in Venice Beach who begins a faction of neo-Nazis under the mind changing logic of a mastermind fiend. Edward Norton portrays Darren Vinyard, the changed man out of the penal system, and Furlong plays his brother, affected by his brother's domineering presence and following in his footsteps. The film deals with the plot through many different flashbacks, most of them through the perspective of Derek's brother, Danny. Otherwise it plays in real time, following Derek out of prison, the life of his brother at his school, and the effect his incarcertaion has had on his family. There are some morose supporting performances from Elliott Gould, Beverly D'Angelo, and Fairuza Balk. Even Ewen Bremner appears as a grotesque neo-Nazi who has a character with the same thoughtless mouth as real people I've met time and again in my own life. The guiding force, or changing influence in the film is taken by both brothers' school principal who seems to be a larger active presence than need be. He's a do gooder, a man of color so his words aren't taken outright, and every word he speaks drips with thoughtful empathy, encouragment, and upright pretension. Though the film does do its duty of unearthing the pained politics of the racist factions in our society still today, it's almost heavyhanded with its blatant approach at seeming enlightening. The ending, though obvious from the flow of the film, was abrupt and strange. The original director, Tony Kaye, tried to get his name taken off the credits, and the final cut of the film was the third altogether. The violence was the most jarring aspect, as it wasn't needless. It kept me shaken, and kept me thinking afterward, which was the objective in the first place. I found it to be interesting, poignant, and thoughtful, and yet flawed throughout. Definitely see for the bitter performances and staying power.

Raw, Unpleasant and powerful. It still feels a little more of a shocker than a truly meaningful film.

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 school 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.

[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 misdirected hate and anger.

One of the best prison films made, with some harsh truths of prison politics, a good role for Edward Furlong too.

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 in 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.

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 release 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!

RAW! Be ready for this one. Loved it.

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 film. You cannot miss this!

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 in which he had changed.

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.

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.

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 down when he has bad experiences whilst in prison.
i love this movie really worth the watch.

In many ways, American History X is one of the most ambitious movies ever made. It manages to analyze racism in a way that no other movie has come close to doing. Sure it's shocking and disturbing at times, but I love it for not toning down the gravity of the subject matter. Part of why this is so convincing is because of the tour de force from Edward Norton, he is incredibly intimidating and genuine at the same time. The writing is intelligent to say the least, the characters have reasoning for their actions and Neo-Nazis aren't just being depicted as generic villains who are nothing but evil.

I have never seen a film with such a powerful message as American History X. Unlike most films dealing with race issues (Spike Lee films for the most part) American History X obviously attacks the racial problem without feeling preachy. Tony Kaye's film is a very powerful study in race issues in America. The film explores the cost of racism of a family that has dealt with the issue. Derek Vineyard is a reformed skinhead trying to go straight after he is released from prison after a hate crime involving him killing three Crip gang members. His Brother Danny is in awe of his brother, and starts following in his footsteps. Now Derek must save his brother before it's too late. Edward Norton deserved an Oscar for his portrayal of Derek Vinyard. The transformation he undertakes from racist skinhead to reformed skinhead is impressive, the way Norton plays both sides of the character is phenomenal. This is one of his best roles. American History X is an excellent thought provoking film about the negativity of racism and the price it costs. A strong message is conveyed within the film. The subject matter is a hard one, and the film is an unrelenting, brutal wake up call. The story is a about a reformed skin head trying to prevent his younger brother to go down the same path. A truly intense film to watch, American History X is also a very important one to watch. The subject matter is controversial, but really I think that this film is a much needed kick in the ass that people need to stop hating. This film is supported by a very good cast of actors, and the standout performance here is truly Edward Norton who shines and plays the part of skin head and reformed skin head beautifully well. Brutal, but necessary; American History X will definitely open your eyes and provoke some thoughts on the issue of racism. A film not to miss. American History X is the most important film on racism since 1988's Mississippi Burning. A very intense masterwork dealing with an important issue.

"Has anything you've done made your life better?"

'American History X' is not only famous because of Edward Norton's stunning performance as Derek Vinyard, the former neo-Nazi who sets his life straight but also because of the post-production problems that almost stopped the release of the film. Tony Kaye, the director, wasn't pleased with what the production company wanted and refused to make changes to his own cut. Edward Norton and the studio did what they could to save the project. The result is, after all glitches, one of the best films ever made.

The story is about two intelligent brothers who have, due to past events and the strict prejudice of their late father, become part of a local neo-Nazi gang at Venize Beach, California. One night, two black thugs try to break into Derek's car. The result is that Derek kills both of' 'em. The other one he kills in a very brutal way.

"Now, say good night."

Derek stomps the victim's head on the curb. Derek's younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong) sees all of this. In disbelief of what has happened, Danny falls down on his knees and sees the cops take Derek away. Derek is sentenced to jail and years later when he is released, the old Derek is no longer. A repentant Derek comes home, only to see that his younger brother is becoming like what he used to be.

'American History X' is told in a nonlinear way. There are three different segments in the story. The time before Derek goes to jail, the time when he is in jail and the one when Derek comes home. The past is told in a black and white way, almost making it look documentary. All of these segments hits hard and contains several tragic events. This movie will not leave you alone, it will stay in your head after the first (and several later on) viewing.

Edward Norton's performance is nothing but perfection. During the movie, he develops three different versions of Derek Vinyard. The first one is full of uncontrolled rage and prejudice, the second one silent and remorseful and the last one determined and willing to give a better life to his family. This last "version" of Derek is also full of sadness. There's one scene in particular, the one where he comes out of the shower. There's no need for words there. Every word is said thru his eyes and facial gestures. The scene is simply put perfect.

Even though 'American History X' lives and dies with Norton's iconic performance (I have a poster of this movie put in frames), the supporting cast comes up with outstanding performances as well. Edward Furlong, better known as John Connor from 'Terminator 2 - Judgment Day', gives a career best performance as the younger brother. It's sad that his personal life has been full of substance problems. Beverly D'Angelo plays the mother of the two. She gives out an performance that shows how clearly she has almost given up on the two. Another strong performance is Avery Brooks' character Bob Sweeney, the principal who does not give up on Derek. He becomes the only person that Derek can lean on while in prison. It is because of him, that Derek can be freed from his past and be given a brighter look on the future.

David McKenna's script comes up with important questions about racism, prejudice, hatred and the qonsequences of the acts one does. But one of the most important elements of the story is the one about relationships within the family. Can one be forgiven about the sins of his past and be given a clean slate?

'American History X' makes you wonder. I remember when I saw this film for the first time back in '99. I immediately saw it again the following day. I was mesmerized by the whole movie. Racism is a difficult subject to come up with good movies. There are few other similar movies that come in mind, 'Romper Stomper' and 'The Believer'. 'American History X' doesn't lecture about its topics, it gives more freedom for the viewer to come up with his/hers own reasoning. This film deserves a place at any persons movie collection and I'm sure that you will also be as stunned as I after watching 'American History X'.

Though the last thirty or so minutes of this film feel like a waste of time and the acting is certainly subpar with the exception of Edward Norton's Oscar-nominated performance, it chronicles well that hate is immature and never justified.

Grueling.