American History X (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: The DVD gives three extra scenes, subtitles,yours forever
Disadvantages: UK prices always higher then Americas!

In around 1968/69 I lived in Fort Walton Beach Florida. This was at the time of the de-segregation of blacks and whites. I had not lived in America that long at the time and for this reason I was not aware of the problems there had been in the South. I remember seeing bus loads of black children all stood on the curb waiting to be emptied and I was surprised to see police cars surrounding them. I didn't know the reason for it at the time. There ... Read review

Advantages: See review
Disadvantages: See review

...on as it is in American History X. Centred on the lives of Derek and Danny Vinyard, it is undoubtedly a vicious and merciless tragedy, intended as much to shock the viewer as to educate them. Edward Norton is Derek, an intelligent young skinhead and leader of a group of wannabe-Nazis, convicted of murder after executing two young black men for trying to steal his car in one of the single most memorable, sickening and twisted scenes in Cinema, ever. ... Read review

Advantages: Script, (story line) and excellent acting
Disadvantages: Sad ending, but very unexpected

...I feel that even by American or British justice standards to be rather week. In jail he is turned upon by his fellow white supremacists for going against their leader, and at one stage is brutally raped in the showers by a group of them. He is befriended by a black inmate, and soon learns that the colour of your skin, or the god that you worship, (if any) does not make you a good or bad person. The timely intervention and encouragement of a former ... Read review

Advantages: Outstanding eye opener!
Disadvantages: None it is a brilliant film!

...one class will be called American History X with the teacher Dr Sweeny. There are a lot of flash backs with Derek's life, he basically comes out of prison a changed man but can he change his brothers ways before something bad may happen?? The family is torn apart by these racial issues. Danny is a very disturbed boy who is full of anger and rage against black people in one scene near the beginning he says "Before Derek went to jail, the white kids ... Read review

Advantages: Great plot, superb characters and a theme that needed to be discussed
Disadvantages: violent

...born in London, 1952. Unfortunately American History X was his only feature film, which to me was a real shame is this film really bought out the best in the director, but he stuck around directing music videos and continued doing lower key documentaries and so on. But his biggest accolade was this film. Basic Plot Outline (Well its actually quite complicated) Ok well ill try my best to explain the general plot of the story, without having to ... Read review

Advantages: A great story, great acting, great direction
Disadvantages: Quite violent

...not been recommended for me. American History X is a film centred around the White power movement and the consequences of extremism. The film’s main protagonist is the intelligent Derek Vinyard. Following the murder of his father; a fireman who was shot whilst putting out a fire in a crack house, Derek becomes filled with racial hatred and eventually becomes the second in command of the Venice Beach neo-Nazi gang, The Disciples of Christ. Under ... Read review

Advantages: Powerful look at racisms effect on society
Disadvantages: None

...invoking movies i've ever watched, American History X is an incredible movie with profound performances and an incredible look at racism and its origins. The tale unfolds through the eyes of young Danny ( Edward Furlong ), whose older brother Derek ( Edward Norton ) has been released after three years of imprisonment. Enraged those years ago at the death of his father and seeking retribution Derek had embarked on a campaign of hate. Despite being ... Read review

Advantages: A real eye opener
Disadvantages: Not enough films like it

...to write an assignment called American History X, all about the effect his brother has had on his life and the social relevance of him in contemporary America. His brother, Derek, was a known racist activist in their town who had been sent to prison for shooting a black man who was breaking into his car. Whilst writing the assignment he talks to the recently released Derek about his time in prison, and the effect it had on him. Daniel has always ... Read review

Advantages: Norton, Thought-provoking
Disadvantages: Disturbing

American History X is a powerful movie which deals with the controversial topics of white supremacy and racism mainly through the eyes of Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong), a young white male. Danny is idolises his older brother Derek (Edward Norton) who is in prison for the manslaughter of some black men who were trying to break into his car. When given an assignment on civil rights to do in High School Danny hands in a report on Mein Kampf to his coloured ... Read review

Advantages: Graphic, Real
Disadvantages: Heavy Racism

...opinions that they do. However, American History X is an exception to this. One of the flashbacks shows us that when Derek is a child, his father, who is a fireman, is shot whilst he is on duty and doing his job. He is shot by a black gang member. This is obviously the spark that sets off the fire and fury in the heart of Norton's heart! I think that this is a good touch to the film because it brings in a level of understanding between the viewer ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant script and cast in a fantastically shot film
Disadvantages: Not the best features on the DVD and the violence is slightly unnerving due to the realism of it and therefore will be offputting to some

American History X is most definitely one of the most controversial films to have been produced over the past few years. It deals with one of today’s most sensitive issues – racism, which is heightened by the fact that it is told unusually through the eyes of the racist rather than the victim. The story develops through the eyes of Danny (Edward Furlong) who is the younger brother of Derek (Edward Norton). Derek furious and enraged ... Read review

Advantages: brilliantly acted, thought provoking
Disadvantages: sometimes too violent

...sweet, sugary or 'feelgood', then American History X will not be for you. Made in 1998, it is an uncompromising and uncomfortable to watch study of Neo-Nazism and racism in the USA. Centering around two brothers, Derek and Danny Vinyard, it is a modern day tragedy that shocks, disgusts, and refuses to leave your mind days after you've watched it. PLOT: Derek Vinyard is a highly intelligent young man who gets involved with a group of Neo-Nazis. ... Read review