American History X (Wide Screen) > Reviews > We are not enemies, but friends.

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Ed Norton and Edward Furlong (mmmm, tasty ! ) seriosly, they are both really good actors, camera work, its on sale at Blockbuster Video for £10 .
Disadvantages:	extras section could be better, its a bit gruesome at times, very scary  -  although not in the conventional 'thriller' style .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Im baaaaaaack! Sorry about the lengthy delay between opinions - I’ve had a million and one a-levels to do. Well, 11 – only one left now so that means I have some time to do some opinions. One of the few interesting things I have done over the past 5 weeks is watch ‘American History X’ on DVD. Its an amazing film - insanely hard-hitting and shocking but at the same time watchable. It'll leave you questioning the mentality of racists worldwide, yet at the same time quite scarily have you understanding and at times even empathizing with both the 'black' and the 'white' gangs.

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SYNOPSIS

The film chronicles Derek Vinyard’s (Ed Norton) decent from a white trash 14 year old into repentant intellectual committed to turning his life around via membership of a white supremacist organisation and a harrowing stint in jail. The film is set in the 24 hours following Derek’s release from jail, and the events leading up to this fateful time are explained through a series of intertwined, excellently directed, flashbacks into Derek’s past.
The film opens with a flashback to Derek’s shooting of 2 black guys trying to steal his car and subsequent arrest. Through the flashbacks (shot in black and white and expertly directed to enable empathy with Derek) we learn how Derek became ‘the skinhead’ under Cameron (Stacey Keach) following the death of his father, recruiting new members to the D.O.C. - a white supremacist organisation centred around Venice Beach, California.
From the outset it is clear that Danny (Edward Furlong) idolises his older brother and has followed him into the neo-Nazi ‘D.O.C’. The title of the fiml comes from the extra classes Danny is forced to take after writing a paper on 'The Civil Rights Movement' glorifying Adolph Hitler, for his Jewish teacher (Elliot Gould- Mr Geller in Friends!). Whilst in prison, Derek learns that not even other neo-Nazis are as committed to their cause as he is, leading to a truly sickening scene (think ‘Sleepers’ only worse) that brings him to his senses. Following his release, and working with Sweeney (Avery Brooks – from Star Trek!), the black Principal of the high school both he and Danny studied at, Derek has to convince Danny to leave the organisation, before he gets in over his head as well...
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DVD EXTRAS

Compared to some films, this section is nothing special.

There is a comprehensive 'Cast and Crew' section, detailling the part the person played in the film and their past work.

2 of the 3 deleted scenes are short and wouldn't have added anything to the film, however, the other is about 6 minutes long and would have made a great addition to the film- its funny.

There are also some produciton notes and the theatrical trailers from the film.
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MAIN CHARACTERS

Edward Norton = Derek Vineyard
Edward Furlong = Danny Vineyard
Fairuza Balk = Stacy (Derek’s Girlfriend)
Avery Brooks = Dr. Robert Sweeney
Beverly D'Angelo= Doris Vineyard
Elliott Gould = Murray (the History teacher)
Jennifer Lien = Davina Vinyard
Ethan Suplee = Seth
Stacy Keach = Cameron
Guy Torry = Lamont (the black guy Derek befriends in prison)
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Director = Tony Kaye.
Writer = David McKenna