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American History X
Actor(s): Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Jennifer Lien
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
Creator(s): Producer Bill CarraroProducer Brian WittenProducer David McKennaWriter David McKennaProducer John MorrisseyProducer Jon HessProducer Kearie Peak
Director(s):
EAN: 9780780625129
Format(s): Closed-captionedColorDolbyNTSC
ISBN: 0780625129
Label: New Line Home Video
List Price: $6.98
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Package Dimensions:
Height: 1.12"
Width: 4.19"
Length: 1.12"
Weight: 0.38 lbs.
Product Group: Video
Publisher: New Line Home Video
Release Date: 1999-08-24
Running Time: 119minutes
Studio: New Line Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1998-10-30
UPC: 794043471537
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com:
Edward Norton was nominated for a 1998 Best Actor Oscar for his role as Derek Vinyard, a thoughtful kid turned neo-Nazi after his father is slain. Edward Furlong plays his younger brother, Danny, determined to follow in his brother's footsteps. The easy routes the film seems prepared to take never materialize. It continually makes Derek's transformation both in and out of his racist beliefs believable and persuasive. Stacy Keach is given the head vampire role of the local skinhead chapter, Cameron, and he's the closest this film comes to an overt overstatement. Norton, however, is fantastic, embodying a person who roller-coasters through hatred like he can't wait to ride again. His diatribes are not unlike what can be heard on any given conservative radio station on any given day, but he doesn't spew them as cant or screed. Only when his violent emotions take charge, negating any sense or stand, is the underlying fallacy and nature of his beliefs made plain. This film was undermined by the film's own director, Tony Kaye, who made such a braying ass of himself and his work that it distorted the public's view of what is an interesting social and psychological lesson in the war between ideas and ideologues, reason and racism. --Keith Simanton
Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.5
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-18
Content: The Bottom Line:
American History X is a terrific film; though the director may have tried to distance himself from the final product, the movie is well-directed, well-acted, and well-constructed.
Summary: 3.5 stars out of 4
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-18
Content: This is an amazing movie where Edward Norton gives a spectacular performance. Edward Norton starts out as an unrepentant white supremacist but after his jail experience, he comes out trying to save his younger brother from that life. It is an amazing movie about how racism and hatred doesn't get you anywhere and leaves last ripples. It is somewhat graphic so it is not for the younger crowd. It's amazing from start to finish and the ending leave you stunned (and I cried). It is a must own for anyone who enjoys drama films, Edward Norton, and movies with a lesson behind them.
Summary: Ridiculously Good
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-24
Content: American History X is what 'Crash' failed to be, that is, a nuanced and believable exploration of the roots and manifestations of racism. The film does not lecture but nor does it pardon - it approaches its delicate subject matter with conviction, maturity and stark imagery.
Set among the resurgence of Neo-Nazism among California's disenchanted urban youth in the 80's and early 90's, X is the story of one family, headed by eldest son Norton, and how the seed of racism takes root in his heart and begins to grow.
Leading man Norton delivers an explosive and utterly convincing performance as a young man who's world view becomes twisted by racist convictions. Soon his festering and misdirected rage lands him in prison, where hard lessons await. Outside of the prison walls Norton's younger brother begins the cycle anew as he seeks to follow in the footsteps of the brother he has come to idolize.
A fascinating and deeply layered tale of prejudice and the painful lessons of lives misspent in its shadow, American History X is explicitly violent but superbly performed and executed. The ending, as shocking as any I've seen in cinema, is as uncompromising as the rest of the film and will provide little comfort to happy-ending seekers. DVD includes deleted scenes, cast bios and theatrical trailer. Widescreen format is included. Highly recommended.
Summary: Racism Gets Curb-Stomped
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-24
Content: Most people have a list of movies that were recommended to them, and are immensely popular, but...they just never get around to watching any. For a time, I had quite a few myself: The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, Platoon, The Usual Suspects and American History X.
One day, I decided to look at the last movie on my list. While it was generally regarded as a positive, uplifting movie, I was a bit skeptical about anything to do with racism: most films dealing with this subject tend to show us the perceptions of only one side.
Still, I figured that I didn't have much to lose, so I bought a copy of American History X.
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Now having seen this movie, I can understand why it's so highly touted: it's about something larger than just ethnic hatred and yet manages to highlight it's many flaws as well.
We're first drawn into the world of the Vinyards - a white, middle class family living in a suburb that is slowly becoming more and more multicultural. The men (brothers Derek and Danny) are vehemently opposed to any foreigners or people of color, while the women (mother Doris and daughter Davina) have no problems with non-whites at all.
An incident early on sends Derek to jail, and once inside, he learns some harsh life lessons. Fast forward a bit - Derek is let out at his parole due to good behavior. He returns home and sees things mostly the way they were, with the exception of his brother...
The rest of the movie shows Derek work to resolve the issues he had, while also trying to protect his family from the people he once knew and called friends.
This movie isn't perfect (there are some awkwardly placed comedic moments), but it does come very close. If allowed, i'd rate it 4.5 stars: as is, i've given it 5.
Strong performances from Edward Norton (who became a frightening manifestation of hate, later on, a changed man), Edward Furlong (much improved from his Terminator 2 debut), Avery Brooks (excellent as always in authoritarian roles) coupled with sharp cinematography and a powerful message make this movie essential in any mature film owner's collection.
Strange we haven't seen a Collector's/Special edition yet though :-).
Summary: More than just skin deep
Rating - 4 Date: 2008-10-23
Content: The only negative thing that I have to say about this movie is the sterotype on skinheads. Not all skinheads are Nazis. Actually, it's only about 10% of the skinhead population that are white supremisists. I personally am not a skinhead but I have friends that are who are completely against that sect of skinheadism and don't even consider those who do fit the racist neo-nazi mold to be real skinheads in the first place. You should check out a documentary called Dark Planet:Visions of America to get a real, unbiased look at the skinhead scene.
Summary: One little thing
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