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American History X

  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.1M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
595
27
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
Trailer for this intense drama
Play trailer2:25
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama

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

IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.1M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
595
27
  • Director
    • Tony Kaye
  • Writer
    • David McKenna
  • Stars
    • Edward Norton
    • Edward Furlong
    • Beverly D'Angelo
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tony Kaye
  • Writer
    • David McKenna
  • Stars
    • Edward Norton
    • Edward Furlong
    • Beverly D'Angelo
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.6KUser reviews
    • 125Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #38
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 15 nominations total

    Videos2

    American History X
    Trailer 2:25
    American History X
    American History X
    Trailer 2:26
    American History X

    Photos450

    Edward Furlong and Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
    Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
    Fairuza Balk and Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
    Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
    Edward Furlong in American History X (1998)
    Beverly D'Angelo, Edward Furlong, Elliott Gould, and Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
    Danny
    Derek & Danny
    Family Reunion
    Derek & Cameron
    Derek & Sweeney
    Derek & Doris

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Derekas Derek
    Edward Furlong
    Edward Furlong
    • Dannyas Danny
    Beverly D'Angelo
    Beverly D'Angelo
    • Dorisas Doris
    Jennifer Lien
    Jennifer Lien
    • Davinaas Davina
    Ethan Suplee
    Ethan Suplee
    • Sethas Seth
    Fairuza Balk
    Fairuza Balk
    • Staceyas Stacey
    Avery Brooks
    Avery Brooks
    • Sweeneyas Sweeney
    Elliott Gould
    Elliott Gould
    • Murrayas Murray
    Stacy Keach
    Stacy Keach
    • Cameronas Cameron
    William Russ
    William Russ
    • Dennisas Dennis
    Guy Torry
    Guy Torry
    • Lamontas Lamont
    Joe Cortese
    Joe Cortese
    • Rasmussenas Rasmussen
    Jason Bose Smith
    • Little Henryas Little Henry
    • (as Jason Bose-Smith)
    Antonio David Lyons
    Antonio David Lyons
    • Lawrenceas Lawrence
    Alex Sol
    Alex Sol
    • Mitch McCormickas Mitch McCormick
    Keram Malicki-Sánchez
    Keram Malicki-Sánchez
    • Chrisas Chris
    • (as Keram Malicki-Sanchez)
    Giuseppe Andrews
    Giuseppe Andrews
    • Jasonas Jason
    Michelle Christine White
    • Lizzyas Lizzy
    • Director
      • Tony Kaye
    • Writer
      • David McKenna
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for brutally killing two black men who tried to break into/steal his truck. Through his brother's, Danny Vineyard, narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did. —Nitesh D.(nmxpa7@msn.com)
    • neo nazi
    • prison
    • hatred
    • racism
    • murder
    • 373 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • His father taught him to hate. His friends taught him rage. His enemies gave him hope.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Edward Norton turned down Saving Private Ryan (1998) to do this film.
    • Goofs
      In the opening scene, Derek fires 24 shots without reloading from a Ruger P94, which could hold no more than 10 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.
    • Quotes

      Bob Sweeney: There was a moment, when I used to blame everything and everyone for all the pain and suffering and vile things that happened to me, that I saw happen to my people. Used to blame everybody. Blamed White people, blamed society, blamed God. I didn't get no answers 'cause I was asking the wrong questions. You have to ask the right questions.

      Derek Vinyard: Like what?

      Bob Sweeney: Has anything you've done made your life better?

    • Alternate versions
      The New Line Cinema DVD features 3 deleted scenes:
      • A scene in which an elderly black woman is harassed and made to cry on the boardwalk by a bunch of teenage skinheads.
      • A scene after the "party", in which Cameron and Seth go to a café and discuss Derek's change. They then harass a black guy/white girl couple, and then leave. A car is waiting outside, in which several black men watch them leave, before going after them. One black man inside the car remarks "Somebody's gonna get their ass whipped." The aftermath is not shown, but we later learn that Cameron and Seth were attacked.
      • A brief scene in the café near the end in which Derek winks at a little black girl and asks her if he looks okay.
    • Connections
      Edited into American History X: Deleted Scenes (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Battle Hymn of the Republic
      (circa 1856) (uncredited)

      Music by William Steffe

      Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe (1862)

      Sung a cappella by Ethan Suplee with modified lyrics

    User reviews1.6K

    Review
    Top review
    An amazing film
    A good friend of mine suggested this film, and I really didnt know what to expect going in, but after this film was over, I sat in stunned silence. I knew that racism was horrible, but I found through this film that it does not come without a terrible price..the loss of love, friends, family...and the realization that everything that you believed to be true isnt always the way things are. Edward Norton's performance takes the viewer through this journey, and its not a pretty one. He goes from an bright young man, to a vengeful bigot, to a remorseful excon with a brothers life in jeopardy, and you feel as though you are looking in on someones life in the course of 2 hrs. All of the acting in this film is first rate, and the ending wasnt quite as predictable as others might have you believe...it is quite shocking, as is much of the film. It causes quite a debate on the way people view others whos skin color is not the same. As Dr. King said, judge me not on the color of my skin, but on the content of my character. I live with racism, because I am a black man living in America...it exists, but if we educate ourselves like the main character in AHX, it wont stay around for much longer. Hopefully it wont be too late, as it was for him. Peace and Love, JB33 Rating 5 stars
    helpful•480
    170
    • jerry_bear33
    • Apr 2, 2000

    FAQ12

    • What events cause Derek to renounce his neo-Nazi views?
    • What happened to Seth and Cameron?
    • Is "American History X" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fatalni kurs X
    • Filming locations
      • Venice High School - 13000 Venice Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Savoy Pictures
      • The Turman-Morrissey Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,719,864
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $156,076
      • Nov 1, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,875,127
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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