American History X

1998
18
1h 59m

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

1.2M

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:25

Prison Drama Tragedy Crime Drama

Living a life marked by violence, neo-Nazi Derek finally goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change; he hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who id... Read allLiving a life marked by violence, neo-Nazi Derek finally goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change; he hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps.Living a life marked by violence, neo-Nazi Derek finally goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change; he hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.5/10

1.2M

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

460

134

See production info at IMDbPro

Top rated movie #41

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 15 nominations total

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Photos453

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Storyline

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Trivia
Edward Norton turned down Saving Private Ryan (1998) to do this film. He and Tom Hanks were both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor; neither won.

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 three 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 reviews1.7K

Featured review

10/10

A masterpiece! Truly one of the best film I have ever seen

I have been wanting to see this movie for a long time, since my English teacher mentioned it in our class in grade ten. Gosh I wished I wouldn't have waited all this time to finally watch it, although maybe it's a good thing cause I would have probably been a little bit more traumatized at 14... This movie is exceptional!!! Makes u think, makes you frustrated, makes you wanna scream and even makes you cry! Edward Norton is just phenomenal playing the role of a freak skin head and even more so playing this skin head who finally realizes how stupid he was and tries to protect his younger brother. Edward Furlong also does an amazing job!!! This film is moving in so many ways...I can't even describe how real and heartfelt it felt. I definitely think Edward Norton should have won the Oscar for his performance, cause he was absolutely terrific! I can't get why they didn't gave it to him... This movie will surely stay on my mind for a while now... just thinking that some place in the world things like that still happen...it crushes my heart. This is a wonderful movie that every single person should see at least once in his life... Watch American History X, it totally worth it!