IMDb > American History X (1998)
American History X
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American History X (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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American History X -- Trailer for this intense drama
American History X -- A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did.

Overview

User Rating:
Top 250: #33  (login to vote)
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Director:
Tony Kaye
Writer (WGA):
David McKenna (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for American History X on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 February 1999 (Denmark) See more »
Genre:
Crime | Drama See more »
Tagline:
His father taught him to hate. His friends taught him rage. His enemies gave him hope. See more »
Plot:
A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 9 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(442 articles)
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User Reviews:
Intelligent Drama See more (1315 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Edward Norton ... Derek Vinyard

Edward Furlong ... Danny Vinyard

Beverly D'Angelo ... Doris Vinyard

Jennifer Lien ... Davina Vinyard

Ethan Suplee ... Seth Ryan

Fairuza Balk ... Stacey

Avery Brooks ... Dr. Bob Sweeney

Elliott Gould ... Murray

Stacy Keach ... Cameron Alexander

William Russ ... Dennis Vinyard

Guy Torry ... Lamont

Joe Cortese ... Rasmussen
Jason Bose Smith ... Little Henry (as Jason Bose-Smith)

Antonio David Lyons ... Lawrence

Alex Sol ... Mitch McCormick

Keram Malicki-Sánchez ... Chris (as Keram Malicki-Sanchez)

Giuseppe Andrews ... Jason
Cleo Adell ... Lizzy (as Michelle Christine White)
Jonathan Fowler Jr. ... Jerome

Christopher Masterson ... Daryl Dawson (as Chris Masterson)
Nicholas R. Oleson ... Huge Aryan

Jordan Marder ... Curtis

Paul Le Mat ... McMahon

Thomas L. Bellissimo ... Cop #2 (as Tommy L. Bellissimo)

Cherish Lee ... Kammi
Sam Vlahos ... Dr. Aguilar
Tara Blanchard ... Ally Vinyard

Anne Lambton ... Cassandra
Steve Wolford ... Reporter
Richard Noyce ... Desk Sergeant

Danso Gordon ... Buddy #1

Jim Norton ... Randy
David Basulto ... Guard
Alexis Rose Coen ... Young Ally Vinyard

Kiante Elam ... Lawrence's Partner (as Kiant Elam)
Paul Hopkins ... Student

Keith Odett ... Random Skinhead

Paul E. Short ... Stocky Buddy (as Paul Short)

Nigel Miguel ... Basketball Player
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Darrell Britt ... White Supremicist (uncredited)
Robert 'Duckie' Carpenter ... Skinhead (uncredited)

Sydney 'Big Dawg' Colston ... Prison Gang Leader (uncredited)
Hans Cozzens ... Police officer #2 (uncredited)
John Embry ... Parking Lot Skinhead (uncredited)
Maximillian Kesmodel ... Young Danny Vinyard (uncredited)
Barbie Marie ... Student (uncredited)

Allie Moss ... Skinhead Girlfriend (uncredited)
Denney Pierce ... Arresting Officer (uncredited)

Glendon Rich ... Deputy Sheriff (uncredited)
Louis E. Rosas ... Jail Inmate (uncredited)

Sam Sarpong ... Jail Inmate (uncredited)
Mark Swanson ... Skinhead in Store (uncredited)
Jeremy Sweet ... Skinhead (uncredited)
Selwyn Ward ... High School Student Leaving Bathroom (uncredited)
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Directed by
Tony Kaye 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
David McKenna (written by)

Produced by
Bill Carraro .... executive producer
Michael De Luca .... co-executive producer
Jon Hess .... co-producer
David McKenna .... co-producer
John Morrissey .... producer
Kearie Peak .... executive producer
Steve Tisch .... executive producer
Lawrence Turman .... executive producer
Brian Witten .... co-executive producer
 
Original Music by
Anne Dudley 
 
Cinematography by
Tony Kaye 
 
Film Editing by
Gerald B. Greenberg  (as Jerry Greenberg)
Alan Heim 
 
Casting by
Valerie McCaffrey 
 
Production Design by
Jon Gary Steele 
 
Art Direction by
J. Kyler Black  (as James Kyler Black)
Dan Olexiewicz 
 
Set Decoration by
Tessa Posnansky 
 
Costume Design by
Doug Hall 
 
Makeup Department
Judith A. Cory .... supervising key hair (as Judith Alexander-Cory)
Bill Fletcher .... wig maker
Heather Fraker .... makeup artist
Karyn Huston .... hair stylist
John E. Jackson .... supervising key makeup
Matthew W. Mungle .... special effects makeup artist
Gina Rylander .... body makeup artist
Christina Smith .... supervising key makeup
 
Production Management
Bill Carraro .... unit production manager
Carla Fry .... executive in charge of production
Diana Kaufman .... post-production supervisor
Michael Mandaville .... production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mark Cotone .... first assistant director
Michael Keller .... second second assistant director
David Larson .... second assistant director
Rusty Mahmood .... dga trainee
Scott Harris .... first assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Curtis Baruth .... construction coordinator (as Curtis W. Baruth)
Sharleen Bright .... head scenic artist
Clovis Chamberet .... lead man (as Clovis Chambaret)
Michael Cudlitz .... construction coordinator
Franco Esile .... set dresser
Steven E. Eyrse .... scenic artist
Brandon S. Gilgen .... scenic painter
Chris Griffiths .... set dresser
Vincent M. Jackson .... scenic painter
Pete Josephs .... construction foreman (as Peter Josephs)
Ian Kay .... prop assistant
Craig Lafferty .... on-set dresser
Lynda Reiss .... property master
Lisa Roman .... set dresser
Parker Swanson .... assistant property master
Le'Von Webb .... set dresser (as Lévon Webb)
 
Sound Department
Joe Barnett .... sound re-recording mixer
Javier Bennassar .... sound effects editor
Dorian Cheah .... sound effects editor
Benjamin L. Cook .... background sound editor (as Benjamin Cook)
Suzanne Davis .... utility cable
Jed M. Dodge .... dialogue editor (as Jed Dodge)
Roger Dudley .... additional sound engineer
Mary Erstad .... foley mixer
David Lee Fein .... foley artist (as David Lee Fine)
Alan Freedman .... adr mixer
Cormac Funge .... sound effects editor
Robert Getty .... assistant sound editor
Kurt Godel .... transfer engineer
David Grant .... dialogue editor
Tom Hartig .... boom operator (as Thomas W. Hartig)
Frederick Howard .... sound designer
Frederick Howard .... supervising sound editor
Craig Jurkiewicz .... foley editor
Ossama Khuluki .... foley artist (as Ossame Khuluki)
David Mann .... foley editor
Diane Marshall .... foley artist
Bob McNabb .... dialogue editor (as Robert McNabb)
Michael Mullane .... background sound editor
Steve Nelson .... production sound mixer
Sarah Peterson .... dialogue assistant
Yuri Reese .... sound re-recording mixer
John Ross .... sound re-recording mixer
Steve Scoville .... dialogue editor
Susan Shin .... adr supervisor
Anne Slack .... transfer engineer
William Smith .... sound re-recording mixer (as Bill Smith)
Walter Spencer .... dialogue editor
Lucy Sustar .... foley mixer
Roland N. Thai .... sound effects editor (as Roland Thai)
Paul Coogan .... boom operator (uncredited)
Michael Ferdie .... production sound editor (uncredited)
Jason George .... dialogue editor (uncredited)
Cameron Hamza .... sound recordist (uncredited)
Dean Hovey .... sound effects editor (uncredited)
Robert Jackson .... dialogue editor (uncredited)
Scott Jones .... adr mixer (uncredited)
Thomas Jones .... dialogue editor (uncredited)
Paul Vik Marshall .... pickups sound mixer: second unit (uncredited)
Paul Vik Marshall .... sound mixer (uncredited)
Aletha Rodgers .... sound mixer: second unit (uncredited)
Walter Spencer .... production sound editor (uncredited)
Kelly Vandever .... additional sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Charles Belardinelli .... special effects (as Charlie Belardinelli)
Thomas L. Bellissimo .... special effects supervisor (as Tom Bellissimo)
Jerry Donegan .... special effects
Christy Sumner .... special effects
Malia Thompson .... special effects
Shannon J. Thompson .... special effects (as Shannon Thompson)
 
Visual Effects by
Stephen Jennings .... visual effects production assistant (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Charles Belardinelli .... stunts
Chris Carnel .... stunts
Eugene Collier .... stunts
Kevin LaRosa .... stunts
Chai Lee .... stunts
Dwayne McGee .... stunts
Francine Morris .... stunts
Ernie F. Orsatti .... stunt coordinator (as Ernie Orsatti)
Noon Orsatti .... stunt coordinator
Mark Orson .... stunts
Jimmy Ortega .... stunts
Courtney Pakiz .... stunt double
Eddie Perez .... stunts
Denney Pierce .... stunt coordinator
Paul Sherrod .... stunts
Paul E. Short .... stunt coordinator (as Paul Short)
Russell Solberg .... stunts
Sammy Thurman .... stunts
Frank Torres .... stunts
Mark Aaron Wagner .... stunts (as Mark Ron Wagner)
Eddie Wong .... stunts
Merritt Yohnka .... stunts (as Merritt Yohnke)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
James Alden .... grip
Curtis A. Andrews Jr. .... lamp operator
Curtis A. Andrews Jr. .... rigging gaffer
Tim Angelo .... best boy grip
Mark Bolin .... dolly grip
Rick Drapkin .... first assistant camera: "b" camera
David Elmore .... second assistant camera: "b" camera
Scott England .... lamp operator
Warren Feldman .... second assistant camera: "a" camera
David Jarrell .... chief lighting technician
John T. Martin .... key grip
John McCoy .... video playback operator
Sean Hunter Moe .... camera loader
Charles Papert .... Steadicam operator
Charles Papert .... camera operator: "a" camera
Rico Priem .... grip
James Scott .... best boy electric
John Sekula .... first assistant camera: "a" camera
Peter Sorel .... still photographer
Fred Talmadge .... 24 frame video operator
Barry Berona .... first assistant camera: additional photography (uncredited)
Joe Crouch .... electrician (uncredited)
Isaac Friedman .... film loader: second unit (uncredited)
Eric J. Goldstein .... additional photographer (uncredited)
Barry Gross .... electrician (uncredited)
Leyla Monique Guzman .... second assistant camera (uncredited)
Barry Idoine .... first assistant camera (uncredited)
Tony Kaye .... camera operator (uncredited)
Gaston Langer .... second assistant camera (uncredited)
Dale Obert .... electrician (uncredited)
Dale Obert .... gaffer: additional unit (uncredited)
Christopher C. Pearson .... first assistant camera: additional photography (uncredited)
Bradley Richard .... additional second assistant camera (uncredited)
William Robinson .... assistant camera (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Joe Adams .... casting assistant (as Joseph Adams)
Bill Dance .... extras casting
Terrence Harris .... extras casting assistant (as Terence Harris)
Mark Williamson .... extras casting assistant
Terrence Harris .... casting associate (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marisa Aboitiz .... costume supervisor
Yvette Ammon .... additional set costumer
Ulker Irazat .... seamstress
Ángela Núñez .... costumer (as Angela Nunez)
Lisa Parmet .... key costumer
 
Editorial Department
Glenn Cocco .... first assistant editor
Kim Ettinger .... assistant editor
Joe Fineman .... executive in charge of post-production
Bob McMillian .... color timer
Danny Miller .... first assistant editor (as Dan Miller)
Brandon Smith .... post-production coordinator
Ron Stanik .... assistant editor
Stephanie Olah .... post-production coordinator (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Paul Broucek .... music executive
Paul Broucek .... music supervisor
Bulge .... music performers: score
Marc Cancel .... musician: Bulge member
Karen Elliott .... music coordinator: Air-Edel
Richard Ford .... music editor
Isobel Griffiths .... orchestral contractor
Paul Hulme .... scoring mixer
Stanley Mueller .... musician: Bulge member
Christopher Rensink .... musician: Bulge member
Lori Silfen .... music business affairs
Keith Swan .... musician: Bulge member
Gavyn Wright .... orchestra leader
Peter Davies .... musician (uncredited)
Woody Jackson .... musician (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Joseph Aroesti .... driver
Tony Barattini .... driver
Robin D. Bishop .... driver (as Robin Bishop)
Joe Cosentino .... transportation captain
Pat Cosentino .... driver
Angel Desanti .... driver (as Angel De Santi)
Ed Evans .... driver
Dash Hart .... driver
Geno Hart .... transportation coordinator
Alvin Hurd .... driver: honeywagon
Glenn Knowlton .... driver
Glen Mathias .... driver (as Glenn Mathias)
Bill Needham .... driver
John Pellegrino .... driver: production van
Adam Pinkstaff .... transportation co-captain
Leo Stefanos .... general manager: transportation
Leo Stefanos .... transportation dispatcher
Tom Stillman .... driver
Steven Luke Weible .... driver: honeywagon (as Steve Weible)
Michael Burnette .... transportation (uncredited)
Hardy Ophuls .... driver: cast (uncredited)
 
Other crew
George Alonso .... on-set medic
Matt Baird .... set production assistant
Peter Barnett .... first assistant production accountant (as Peter J. Barnett)
Lisa Behlendorf .... post-production accountant
Paul Belenardo .... production accountant
Olivette Brown .... office staff production assistant
Rex Camphuis .... set production assistant
Anthony Cortés .... personal trainer: Edward Norton (as Anthony Cortes)
Wendy Cox .... production coordinator
Avy Eschenasy .... production attorney
Michael Estrella .... set production assistant
April Fawcett .... set production assistant
Nancy A. Flint .... studio teacher (as Nancy Flint)
Emily Glatter .... in-house coordinator
Keeley Gould .... assistant: Mr. Kaye
Susan Hart .... production associate
Phil Hickerson .... set production assistant (as Phil S. Hickerson)
Erik Holmberg .... production executive
Ira Hurvitz .... script supervisor
Karen Jarnecke .... assistant production coordinator
Brian R. Keathley .... craft service
Kevin LaRosa .... helicopter pilot
Andrew Lipschultz .... unit publicist
Patti J. McDaniel .... assistant: Mr. Carraro
Nick Mestrundrea .... craft service (as Nick Mestrandrea)
Matthew Mizel .... assistant: Mr. Kaye
Jeff Myers .... set production assistant
John Nisbet .... set production assistant
Johanna Parker .... set production assistant
Paul Prokop .... production controller
Joshua Ravetch .... production resources
Marc Rindner .... production attorney
Oscar Luis Rodriguez .... additional best boy (as Oscar Rodriguez)
Silvie Rodriguez .... animal trainer
Marc E. Spiegel .... location manager (as Marc Spiegel)
Sihu Suhr .... accounting clerk
Tim Swan .... location scout (as Tim Swann)
Sonya Thompsen .... contract administrator
Paul Tompkins .... assistant location manager (as Paul Tompkins)
Omar Torres .... office staff production assistant
Eric Troop .... set production assistant (as Eric Topp)
Natalie Trussell .... production secretary
Timothy P. Tundel .... payroll accountant (as Tim Tundel)
Ryan Wallace .... office staff production assistant
Chris Warren .... caterer
Chris Warren .... chef
Robert 'Duckie' Carpenter .... choreographer: slam pit (uncredited)
Sean Jordan .... interactive media (uncredited)
Peter Menich .... title designer (uncredited)
Kelli Sample .... dialogue research (uncredited)
Chase White .... personal assistant: Tony Kaye (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White | Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS
Certification:
Argentina:16 | Belgium:KNT | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Israel:18 | Italy:VM18 | Japan:R | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 (original rating) | USA:R | Greece:K-17 | UK:15 (re-rating) (2012) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Spain:18 | Australia:MA | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Denmark:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) (re-rating)
Filming Locations:
Johnie's Coffee Shop - 6101 Wilshire Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USASee more »
Company:
New Line CinemaSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
According to the book Cinematic Century, Tony Kaye's lawsuit against the studio over the use of his name in the credits was for $275 million.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: Derek has his top button buttoned when the doors open to exit is cell. Once out of the cell, the button is unbuttoned.See more »
Quotes:
Doris Vinyard:I'm ashamed that you came out of my body.See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Cameron Diaz/Smashing Pumpkins (#24.1)" (1998)See more »
Soundtrack:
Battle Hymn of the RepublicSee more »

FAQ

What did Derek do that landed him in prison?
What is the song with lyrics in the trailer?
How does the movie end?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
95 out of 162 people found the following review useful.
Intelligent Drama, 28 September 2004
Author: gingerkris (gingerkris@yahoo.co.uk) from London, England

Strong performances by Edward Norton & Edward Furlong really make this film for me. The direction by Tony Kaye with his mixture of black & white history contrasting with colourful reality is magic to absorb and shows this film up to be what it is – a true American Classic, ironically by a British director. The film itself is about two brothers, Derek the elder and Danny the younger adoring sibling. Derek has been in jail for three years after killing a black youth who tried to rob the family; the nature & brutality of the crime still shocks me to this day. AHX tracks Derek's history through the first formation of racist sentiment laid down by the father. These feeling of hate are embedded when later his father is killed in the line of duty. Derek becomes involved in the local Nazi movement, his intellect turned by youthful rage into hate crimes and the rational that comes with Neo Nazi propaganda. The Nazi-tattoo sporting, egotistical, philosophical younger Derek is a steam train waiting to crash, his propulsion to stardom is eventually embodied when he takes the life of the young thief, the scene is very apt as he calmly lies down and knows he will be a hero to his friends. Without wanting to spoil the film Derek encounters change in the prison, he meets a black man whom he works with and faces his own demons inside, I will leave it there for those who want to be moved by his transformation. Anyway, he comes out a new man and only wants to be that new person, which means leaving the old crowd, leaving the Anti-Jewish sepal he's been living with so long. The problem lies with his brother who has become a little Derek, getting drunk and being influenced like he was. Derek's cross to bear is that he can't change his life without his brother coming with him and being on the right side of humanity. I think that this film is less about race and more about our ability to change as individuals, the fact that we can become what and who we want is a gift. Derek becomes the man he always wanted to be, he only wants the same for his brother. Kaye's use of black & white creates an atmospheric drama that builds tension and has you feeling like a stung out piece of drum leather by mid movie. I love the way that Kaye subtly uses quotes and intellectualises the Nazi Stance, only to watch it being broken down by the same man (Derek / Norton). Norton is a joy to watch as is Gould and Furlong. To sum up American History X is a powerful intelligent drama, which provides plenty of discussion after the movie. This film should be on every high school curriculum…

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for American History X (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
robbed at the oscars ryan_mcdaniel
Why Did the Prison Guard Allow That? ajl41994
Derek was a hypocrite drewboy17
Derek covering up his tattoo mooreethan28
Why do black people tend to hate this film? rs90
The end? christian102890
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