FAQ

X = 10

American History X is based on a screenplay written by the movie's producer David McKenna.

American History X refers to a high school class in American History, but with a twist. When Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong) hands in a theme paper titled My Mein Kampf that spouts racist rhetoric, his history teacher (Elliott Gould) sends him and his paper down to see the school principal, Dr Bob Sweeney (Avery Brooks). Sweeney is so outraged by Danny's paper that he throws it in the garbage. From hereon, Sweeney intends to be Danny's one-on-one history teacher in a class that he's going to call "American History X." Danny's first assignment is to rewrite his paper, describing how the activities of his white supremist, skin-headed, older brother Derek (Edward Norton), who was just released from prison, have shaped his outlook on American society. Danny also titles his rewrite American History X.

Mein Kampf [English: My Struggle or literally My Fight] (1925, 1926) is a two-volume autobiographical work by Adolf Hitler that details his National Socialist political ideology. He wrote it during his tenure as the Leader of Nazi Party but several years before becoming the Chancellor of Germany. It is one of the most famous and well-recognized books of the 20th Century and often read and cited by white supremacists.

It must be noted that Mein Kampf is a poorly-written book that would not pass muster in any publishing industry of democratic societies. Thousands of words are exhausted without making a point, points are repeated often, and the book overall is more like the ramblings of one's racist uncle when he has had a few too many beers than any kind of philosophical treatise.

After it seems that Derek and Danny have successfully distanced themselves from the skinheads, Derek learns that Cameron Alexander (Stacy Keach), his one time role model and leader of the skinheads, was seriously wounded in a hit. When Dr. Sweeney asks Derek to go back into the group to stop an out-and-out war, Derek first refuses but eventually gives in when Sweeney convinces him that it is his duty to see through something that he was instrumental in starting. After dropping Danny off at school, Derek begins to walk away but gets a feeling. Meanwhile, Danny has gone into the boys' lavatory to use the urinal. He suddenly finds himself confronted by the same black student in whose face he blew smoke at the beginning of the movie. The student pulls out a gun and fires several shots into Danny, killing him. Derek returns to the school because of a gut feeling, finds Sweeney and the police barring his way, breaks through, and runs to the lavatory where he sees Danny lying dead on the floor. In the final scenes, Derek hugs Danny and cries out, "What have I done?"

Several people have noted that the middle-American racial conflicts depicted in American History X is similar to Romper Stomper (1992) (1992), in which skinheads in Melbourne, Australia confront the local Vietnamese. In direct opposition to American History X, D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) (1915) deals with the issue by showing the KKK as heroes and black people as ruthless savages. Another movie cited as somewhat like American History X is The Believer (2001) (2001), in which a New York Jewish student struggles to understand his beliefs and heritage. In Higher Learning (1995) (1995), college freshmen from different countries, races, and social backgrounds confront personal, political, and racial dilemmas. In Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989) (1989), an Italian pizzeria owner in Brooklyn is forced to deal with the fact that the majority of his neighborhood is now inhabited by African Americans. Another Spike Lee movie that deals with social prejudice is Summer of Sam (1999) (1999). Across the great pond, This Is England (2006) (2006) shows the struggle of a young boy facing racism and xenophobia in the early 1980s. Also of mention is just about every movie starring Sidney Poitier.

Yes, there are several major differences between the workprint and the theatrical version. That's because of the incidents between Tony Kaye and New Line during the post production phase. Just in case you want to know more, don't hesitate to follow this link, because there's not only a detailed comparison between the workprint and the theatrical version but also a profound explanation of what has happened after general shooting was completed. But be aware that you should watch the movie (theatrical or uncut, it doesn't matter) first before seeing the comparisons because the link will contain major spoilers that could ruin the film for you.

Deeper River by Dusted