IMDb > American History X (1998)
American History X
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

American History X (1998) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 33 | slideshow) Videos (see all 10)
American History X (1998) -- A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did.
American History X (1998) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tony Kaye
Writer (WGA):
David McKenna (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for American History X on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 October 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
His father taught him to hate. His friends taught him rage. His enemies gave him hope. more
Plot:
A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(60 articles)
Trading DVD2Blu Not So Lucrative
 (From JustPressPlay. 23 November 2009, 3:41 PM, PST)
Upgrade Your Warner DVDs to Blu-ray for as Low as $7.95
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 17 November 2009, 11:02 AM, PST)
User Comments:
One of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. more (1196 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Edward Norton ... Derek Vinyard

Edward Furlong ... Danny Vinyard

Beverly D'Angelo ... Doris Vinyard

Avery Brooks ... Dr. Bob Sweeney
Jennifer Lien ... Davina Vinyard

Ethan Suplee ... Seth Ryan
Stacy Keach ... Cameron Alexander

Fairuza Balk ... Stacey

Elliott Gould ... Murray
Guy Torry ... Lamont
William Russ ... Dennis Vinyard

Joseph Cortese ... Rasmussen (as Joe Cortese)
Jason Bose Smith ... Little Henry (as Jason Bose-Smith)

Antonio David Lyons ... Lawrence

Alex Sol ... Mitch McCormick
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity.
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Black and White | Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS
Certification:
Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Spain:13 | Australia:MA | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Denmark:15 | Argentina:16 | Belgium:KNT | Chile:18 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Israel:18 | Italy:VM18 | Japan:PG-12 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R | Greece:K-17
Filming Locations:
Johnie's Coffee Shop - 6101 Wilshire Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA more
Company:
New Line Cinema more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Edward Norton gained 30 pounds of muscle for his role. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the basketball game, a member of the crowd is present and then is not there between shots. more
Quotes:
Derek Vinyard: We're so hung up on this notion that we have some obligation to help the struggling black man, you know. Cut him some slack until he can overcome these historical injustices. It's crap. I mean, Christ, Lincoln freed the slaves, like, what? 130 years ago. How long does it take to get your act together? more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Garotas do ABC (2003) more
Soundtrack:
Battle Hymn of the Republic more

FAQ

Are there any differences between the Workprint and the theatrical version?
Is "American History X" based on a book?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
180 out of 247 people found the following comment useful.
One of the most powerful movies I have ever seen., 19 July 2005
10/10
Author: Boba_Fett1138 from Groningen, The Netherlands

I was expecting a kind of a moralistic movie with an overly present, almost preaching like message. The movie however turned out to be extremely powerful mainly due to the professionalism it was made with.

The movie its story is told 'beautifuly' in black & white and color. The quite original directing from Tony Kaye gives the movie a nice visual style and certain atmosphere. The story itself isn't that complicated or extremely original on its own and perhaps at most points even predictable but the way the story is told is phenomenal. This is not a movie with an happy ending or a movie that provides a solution to the racial discrimination problems. It shows what is NOT the solution to the problems and that everything that is occurring is like a vicious circle. The movie does not give a hopeful message but instead shows the dangers and pain you're causing to yourself and your close environment when you're thinking as a white supremacist.

As an anti Neo-Nazi movie this movie works really powerful. I think that its a really good and important thing that this movie is often shown in classrooms.

Edward Norton is truly fantastic in his role. He is very well believable as a Neo-Nazi as well as the reformed person he later turns into in the movie. It's almost like he's playing 2 different characters and he does that so extremely well. Also really good was Edward Furlong who we all long had not seen in a big production. Furlong and Norton are both acting well together in their scene's are highly believable as two brothers.

Also surprising good was the musical score by Anne Dudley who had already won an Oscar for "The Full Monty", the year before.

This was a movie that surprisingly impressed me. As a movie its extremely powerful and important.

10/10

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (1196 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for American History X (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
why do white supremacists hate jews? sdoherty32
Truisms learnt via a short joint experience? C'mon, this is lame arriva
How does the curb stomp kill that guy? jlr1905
Its hard to believe people like this actually exist. bebopblues88
A little lost The-IIVII
Racism is illogical, human beings are one species Rorix_2
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Believer Boyz n the Hood Midnight Express Blow An Innocent Man
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.