American History X

This a phenomneal movie. Touches on a lot of subjects that are difficult to come to grasps with. Not for children with plenty of violence, nudity, language, and adult subject matter. So why the two star review?*SPOILERS* This copy, like most copies these days, is highly edited. The curb stomping scene was deleted and instead alludes to Derek pistol whipping the victim instead. I'm irritated i spent money renting this movie, only to see that Amazon has wussed out with the highly edited version too. There are three or four other, MAJOR scenes that are also edited. Don't waste your time here. Find the real, unedited version. You'll be glad you did.

Edward Norton gives a rip roaring hyper intensified performance as a nazi-like skinhead that hates anyone that isn't white. This changes when he's arrested for killing a black person in the streets and is befriended by a black guy in jail that keeps him safe and awakens his mind. Edward's transformation from evil to good is mind blowing because of his performance. When he's released he's a completely different person and many around him are either stunned in amazement or turned off. We know the ones turned off were the white supremacist's that had looked up to him.This film is almost Shakespearean in a modern day kind of way. It's poetic and philosophical and works because of Edward's performance, but he's also surrounded by some brilliant supporting players that enable him to do a great job. He's forever praised those guys from Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Elliott Gould, Fairuza Balk, Guy Torry, Jennifer Lien and Ethan Suplee. They all did a good job bringing this disturbing, yet ultimately transformational story to life.This was the first Edward Norton film where he was #1 on the marquee and movie poster. Before that he had blown movie goers away with his debut in Primal Fear as a convicted killer, then sang to Drew Barrymore in Woody Allen's Everyone Says I love You, then played the lawyer to Hustler founder Larry Flynt in the People Vs. Larry Flynt. American History X would solidify his status as a leading man that is also an incredible actor.Trivia: He met with Francis Ford Coppola to audition for one of his films as another lawyer in the John Grisham adaptation of "The Rainmaker" which later went to Matt Damon, but that was only because after Coppola listened to Norton's labor of love project American History X, he said, "You have to do that movie. If you do that, no one will be able to touch you or typecast you again." He ended up being right, since this is one of Norton's iconic performances that garnered him an Academy Award Nomination. He should've got the Oscar though, but it was another politically correct awards season.

Released in late 1998 and directed by Tony Kaye from David McKenna’s script, “American History X” is an urban drama about a former neo-Nazi leader, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), who tries to prevent his younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), from taking the same path of hate he did. Current events are shown in color whereas flashbacks are depicted in B&W. Stacy Keach plays the behind-the-scenes mentor of the neo-Nazis while Avery Brooks appears as Danny’s principal. Elliott Gould is on hand as a Jewish history teacher who is interested in Danny’s mother (Beverly D’Angelo).During the first half I found some of the dramatics dubious, to be nice; you can tell that kinks needed worked out in the script or the acting. After viewing the movie, I found out that the director felt the same way, insisting that the film needed more work; he also objected to Norton re-editing scenes without his approval and even wanted his name removed from the credits.If you can roll with the palpable flaws, however, you’ll likely find yourself immersed in the world of the characters by the second half. While the topic is unpleasant and there are some hard scenes to watch, “American History X” shoots for greatness and in some ways grasps it. For instance, there are a few moving, artistically-staged sequences, like the aftermath of the dinner-scene-from-hell and the climax. This is what I look for in great dramas, but rarely get. Norton’s powerful performance is another example of the film’s greatness.Someone criticized the movie on the grounds that it simplifies complex issues, but how else can you tackle a subject like this and do it justice in a 2-hour movie while keeping it entertaining? Besides, nothing was so simplified to be unbelievable, as far as Derek’s character arc goes. Someone else panned the narration, but – aduh – I guess he didn’t get that the words are Danny’s essay assignment for his new “class” with the principal, which explain the movie’s title.The overriding theme is that that all races/ethnicities tend to stick together and are in an undeclared war. The skinheads aren’t really singled out because the movie plainly shows that their hostilities are mirrored in the other gangs, albeit with different verbiage and accouterments. While antagonistic tribalism is rampant it can’t stand in the face of genuine relationship and the corresponding love and respect.ADDITIONAL CAST: Fairuza Balk plays Derek’s girlfriend while Jennifer Lien and William Russ appear as his sister and father. Guy Torry is on hand as an inmate Derek slowly befriends while Ethan Suplee plays a hulking neo-Nazi.The film runs 119 minutes and was shot entirely in Los Angeles (Venice, Venice Beach, Fairfax, North Hollywood).GRADE: A-

It really doesn't matter how you feel about race or religion which makes this one of the greatest movies ever. Both Edward Norton and Edward Furlong give outstanding performences. It gives the feel of a documentary not a movie which also makes it great. Give it a watch before you judge it because I begged my mom to watch she didn't want to but gave in and turns out she really liked it. It might make you cringe for the things involving race but it might also make you see things in a new light. Here's hoping anyway.

Manchmal fällt es schwer, einen Film in Worte zu fassen. Und manchmal.........ist es schwer, Menschen und ihre Gesinnung zu begreifen, zu verstehen und nachzuvollziehen.In den USA laufen jüngste Jugendliche mit Hakenkreuz- Tattoos herum, ohne genau zu wissen,was sie überhaupt bedeuten. Sie wissen nur, dass sie damit auffallen.AMERICAN HISTORY X: Für mich ein Film, der den amerikanischen Rassismus auf extremste Weise thematisiert,bei dem fast jeder Dialog ein Stich ins Herz ist." Ich schäme mich, dass du aus meinem Körper kommst, Derek! "Edward Nortons Darstellung des Skins Derek ist erschreckend authentisch, überzeugend, verursacht unbehagliches Gefühl.Wenn der Begriff " schwere Kost " je eine Bedeutung hatte, dann für diesen knallharten Streifen." Das Leben ist zu kurz, dafür, dass man immer wütend ist. Das ist es einfach nicht wert. "***********************************************************************Geschichte:Danny ist Hitlerfan und muß eine Schulaufgabe erledigen, indem er über seinen Bruder Derek schreibt.Dieser tötete vor Drei Jahren Drei Schwarze, wird heute entlassen. Und er hat im Knast der Gewalt abgeschworen.Nun beginnt ein verzweifelter Kampf um die Seele seines kleinen Bruders..............................************************************************************************Mein Xtes Fazit:" Was ist mit dir passiert, Derek? "Der britische Werbefilmer Tony Kaye hat es sich nicht einfach gemacht- die Vinyard- Brüder entsprechen nichtdem Klischee rechter Dumpfbacken, sondern werden als intelligente und komplexe Figuren gezeigt und analysiert.AMERICAN HISTORY X zeigt, wie schnell sich soziale Deklassierung und biografische Schicksalsschläge mitden Versatzstücken brauner Ideologie vermischen können und welche Eigendynamik rechte Erklärungsmusterfreisetzen. Und dabei wird die ganze Bandbreite rechter Gewalt sichtbar. Die väterlichen Gesinnungskorrekturenbeim Abendbrot sind da nur der Anfang einer, dieser Entwicklung.Es ist nicht nur die Geschichte, die mir durch absolute Höchstdarbietungen sämtlicher! Protagonisten eiskalte Gänsehaut verursacht,-es ist auch diese Einheit, die den Film mit seiner starken, in jeder Szene passenden Musikuntermalung und dem Einsatzvon Wackelkamera- Einstellungen einfach realistisch erscheinen lässt." Wir sind keine Feinde, sondern Freunde. Wir dürfen keine Feinde sein.............................Lauflänge: 113.52 Minuten ( mit Abspann ) !Features:- Cast & Crew, Kinotrailer!- Geschnittene Szenen= 6.30 Minuten!.................................Leidenschaft mag die Bande unserer Zuneigung anspannen, aber zerreissen darf sie sie nicht.Die mystischen Klänge der Erinnerung werden ertönen, wenn, und das ist sicher, die besseren Engel unserer Natur siewieder berühren. "

This tough, powerful and uncompromising cautionary tale from director Tony Kaye takes a brutal look at the depths of racial prejudice and the roots of violent hate crimes. Teenager Edward Furlong has been keeping the faith of his older brother Edward Norton, a neo-Nazi white supremacist serving three years for manslaughter. However, recently released from jail, Norton has undergone a radical transformation through his friendship with a black prison inmate and the moral clarity of solitude. Told in colour with black-and-white flashbacks, Kaye's cutting-edge treatise is a shock to the system filled with unforgettable moments, seriously handled issues and superb acting by Norton, who was deservedly Oscar-nominated. It's definitely not for the squeamish.

I was debating whether to watch this film as id never heard of it and it sounded like one of those pointless drags with no script but when i saw Edward Norton (Fight Club) and Edward Furlong (Terminator 2) were in it i bought it and boy i wasnt dissapointed.This film from start to finish had me gripped.The characters were mean, the story was harsh and overall it was disturbing but brilliant.I think Edward Norton Portrays his character brilliantly.Id recommend this film to anyone (ive leant it to my brother).I found this film gripping but most of all disturbing because it made me realise "There are people like this" and like I said, it was convincing enough for me to find some scenes very disurbing but overall this film is ace.This film isnt for the sensitive side of movie watchers as every race, religion, gender is insulted by Edward Nortons character.Over all i rate this film 5/5 as its most certainly one of my favourites now.

Brilliant film I have seen this many years ago and it's a really interesting deep storyline that will get you gripped from beggining to end. A must see definitely for all those that are Edward Norton fans!

Watching this film for the first time is shocking in the violence and racism it portrays and does not allow you to process the real message of the film. The more you watch it the more you are able to discover the try story behind the film. The most shocking part it the sexual assault and I have to praise the cinematography used in dealing with such a sensitive issue. The ending is so sad and shows how hard it is to leave violence behind.