Home
search
more | tips
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 summaryplot synopsisplot 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 37 | slideshow) Videos
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.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 27% in popularity this week. See rank & trends 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:
(40 articles)
Former Skinhead Battles Racism With Hockey
 (From Huffington Post. 19 June 2009, 1:35 PM, PDT)

Meth Mouth: Tom Siebel's Brash Anti-Crystal Campaign
 (From Fast Company. 11 May 2009, 6:00 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
One of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity.
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to the book Cinematic Century, Tony Kaye's lawsuit against the studio over the use of his name in the credits was for $275 million. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: In the beginning of the film, when Derek runs out of the house and finishes shooting at the black thief stealing his father's truck, in slow motion he turns around facing the camera, with the gun still in the same hand he was using to fire it. Later on in the movie, when this scene is replayed from a different shot, he turns around and puts the gun in his other hand. more
Quotes:
Danny Vinyard: I believe in death, destruction, chaos, filth, and greed. more
Movie Connections:
References An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) more
Soundtrack:
Battle Hymn of the Republic more

FAQ

What does the title mean?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
What is "Mein Kampf"?
more
166 out of 229 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

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for American History X (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Prison skin head merlin289
Derek's actions in prison don't make sense to me dblondel
the real power of this movie biggyjaay
What part was more shocking for you? (SPOILERS) charlesx03
Davina Vineyard mugshotz-1
Edward Norton's Character mansoorad
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Boyz n the Hood The Godfather Watchmen An Innocent Man Cidade de Deus
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.