American History X (DVD)

Following the rehabilitation of a neo-nazi white supremist after his spell in jail for the racial murder of two men this is one of the most challenging films that i have encountered. Raising issues such as race relations, brotherly love, blind hero worship and brain washing of impressionable, bored teenagers, the film is an emotional avalanche. The disgust that Edward Norton can evoke is sensational, and he fills the screen with a presence that echoes ...
...by a stunning performance from the frustrated and chain smoking Eddie Furlong as his younger brother, Danny. The anger and disillusionment of Danny is simply misdirected and this is the fight his brother has...to give it new direction. This is compounded by the idol status that Norton's character has for the murder's. The new direction is symbolised by the report that Danny has to write for the guidance teacher, who it turns out helped his brother. ...

Rennerick 30.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X bravely attempts to tackle the delicate issue of racism in modern America, and succeeds. Unlike most films of today, it is an accurate portrayal of reality. Fight club was the only Edward Norton film I had seen previous to this, but I had no real idea as to the extents of his talents. However, this film is the classic it is partly thanks to the dramatic performances of both Norton and Edward Furlong. Norton is Derek, the leader ...
...cure, as it were. American History X is one of those films that you don't just watch, you actually become a part of. There are scenes that shock you so much they send shivers down your spine. The film also offers an insight into the mind of a racially discriminate person, and although it is difficult to sympathise, we see that the environment which surrounds him is largely to blame. The film does contain language and occurences that some viewers ...

krabople 21.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X was a very talked about film, though I hadn't seen it when I started my DVD collection. Then a couple of days later in a shop I saw it on special offer and though I might as well buy it. I'd been told it was good by friends, but apart from that I didn't know what it was about. The story is based around Danny (played by Edward Furlong, also in Terminator 2, as John Connor!) and his older brother Derek (known for Fight Club). After ...
...began to lash out a lot, especially towards black people, since that is who he blames for his father's death. So when Derek discovers three black youths trying to break into his car at night, he brutally murders them, and serves three years for his actions. All the time, Danny has seen Derek as an idol, and followed his ways of hating black people. Three years later though, Derek is released, and has seriously changed his ways after spending time ...

phillegg 27.02.2003 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

This is a harrowing, violent film which undoubtedly shocks, but which also makes you stop and think. Starring Edward Norton as the skinhead leader of a white-supremacy movement who is idolised by his impressionable younger brother (Edward Furlong); on the surface it is about racism in modern-day America, but it also confronts deeper issues such as the way we are shaped by events, and the consequences of our actions on ourselves and on others. The ...
...in prison for the murder of two black men (an act which provides one of the movie's most disturbing scenes); and the present day as he, apparently reformed, tries to dissuade his brother from the path his own life has followed. It may seem at first glance that the main character's transformation from cold-blooded killer to philanthropist is too easy, too ideal, but in fact it is this juxtaposition between the two sides of his character that provides ...

TheBoyShaun 13.11.2000 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

...then look no further than American History. The story follows the transition of a Neo-Nazi in America into an actual human being. There is one scene, involving a curb of a road, which is particularly not for the squeamish, if you’ve seen the film, you know what I’m talking about. This film, is well written, well directed and well acted. A particularly good performance is by Edward Norton (Fight Club), and you won’t believe how different he looks ...

yagasat 08.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

If you have never suffered in your life, or been close to any trauma. If the hardest thing you have ever had to do is open a bank account, although i admit this is getting difficult. It would be easy for you to look for holes in this film, how it doesn't have a joke every minute or a car chase etc. But if you have ever questioned your friendships, and your beliefs then this film whatever your opinion on the subject matter will ring something in your ...
...the beauty of opinions. The film from my point of view seeks to challenge the way we judge a book by its cover, and also the way that we can spend years believing in something but only the most honest with themselves are brave enough to break from the routines they cling to however unrewarding. Derek (Ed fight club norton) is the leader of a violent gang of white supremacists, they believe that if they get rid of black people then everyone will ...

deltawise 13.08.2001 (14.08.2001) · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

This film is based around a neo-nazi group of skinheads. Told from the perspective of Ed Norton, the leading skinhead in the area, it portrays a vivid and sometimes brutal account of life from a racist viewpoint. It does not glorify the actions or attempt any strong message of rebuttal, merely showing that in the end no-one wins the struggle against oppression. Ed Norton begins with a white only viewpoint, which he holds vehemently and ends up ...
...In jail however he finds that it is impossible to hold such strong views as all the groups within the prison have to get along at some level. An attack by a white skinhead gang in prison turns his life around and with the help of a black inmate his racial hatred subsides. On his release, everyone else, including his younger brother (Ed Furlong) have gone the other way and are now more organised and have further enhanced racial tensions. Norton tries ...

davebaggott 11.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

Not so long ago, your father was murdered by group of Black people, and now your image of the black person in your society has changed. But it’s not just black people; it’s the Hispanics, the Asians, anybody who isn’t white Protestant. Guess what…now you’re in the minority. If by the pervious statement you were at all alarmed or offended then do not read beyond this point… in fact don’t even bother watching the movie because that is the fundamental ...
...you, if you haven’t already seen this film then… RUN!!! Go right now and buy it, because this is one film you will not regret watching. This is one of my all time favorite films and there are only about four films that I consider to be my favorites. If you don’t think that this is your kind of film then watch it because there isn’t a single person out there who can say that this isn’t their type of movie unless you are extremely weak-hearted. I say ...

MissOpinion 01.07.2004 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

A film that has stayed with me for quite along time was ‘American History X’. We bought it off Sky Box Office, last year. Yet, it still remains with me, such was its effect. It shows how two brothers, follow the path towards hard core racism. But, one reforms and the other younger more intelligent one is killed by blacks. Ironic, because in a way he pays for his brother killing a black earlier. The older brother is played by Edward Norton. ...
...involved with racist groups, his head shaven and body tattooed. In a brutal act of hatred, he kills a black, by smashing his jaw against a pavement, in front of his younger brother. He his sentenced, and sent to prison. In prison, he is in a minority, and when he dislikes the white guys because he sees them as hypocrites, because they drug deal with Mexicans. He gets closer to a black guy, and together they form a friendship, which changes his life ...

WAD1-2-3 03.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X is an Outstanding film, a must see, With great acting by Edward Furlong (Who also played John In Terminator 2) and Edwarn Norton. The film is set in the presant day, and is about a Gang member of the "skin Heads", Who is more or less THE leader. This man (Derek who is played by Edward Norton), has very strong views and beleives that America is for the White race only, and Influences others to follow him. The gang shows strong ...
...to strike them. His views came around when his father was killed by a gang member of the opposite race. However, Derek's views quickly change when he is sent to jail and he finds himself walking aroung hundereds of different races, and the only white people there turn on him as they dont like the way he preaches. While he is in jail, his younger brother is following in his footsteps, and it is brining down the whole family, getting himself into ...

Delboy161 13.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

Having loved Edward Nortons performance in Fight Club I finally got round to watching this film. Nortons character is Derek, who is "The Skinhead", he (initially) comes across as your average neo-nazi thug with nazi tattoos and mentality. He kills two black men, who were trying to steal his fathers truck. He is jailed for 3 years for his actions, the film is played in flashbacks to his time inside. Whilst inside he sees the error in his ways and ...
...Unfortunately his little brother, has followed in his footsteps so he must try and save his brother and his family from the world of violence he previously led them too. The acting is superb all round, and the cast includes Edward Norton, Edward Furlong (the kid from T2), Stacy Keach & Elliot Gould. It is a powerful film with an important message about the uselessness of racism & violence. However, it failed to engage me on an emotional level and ...

Tyler-Durden 20.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

This is an exciting, violent and touching film exploring the sensitive subject of neo-nazism. As politicians and social commentators appear at a loss to explain the continued popularity of nazi ideals among some sectors of society this movie goes some way towards explaining how a teenager could be sucked into the fascist movement. The subject is dealt with cleverly as the tale is told by Edward Furlong, who plays the younger brother to a psychopathic ...
...an intelligent, bored young man who is sucked into what seems an exciting world by a charismatic and hate-filled old nazi who needs someone to front for him. He becomes more and more extreme in his views and inevitably has a negative effect on all those around him. His violence escalates until one particularily harrowing scene where he murders a black man whom he has caught trying to rob his house. Prison is the inevitable result. After a few years ...

setimerenptah 24.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

...then look no further than American History. The story follows the transition of a Neo-Nazi in America into an actual human being. There is one scene, involving a curb of a road, which is particularly not for the squeamish, if you’ve seen the film, you know what I’m talking about. This film, is well written, well directed and well acted. A particularly good performance is by Edward Norton (Fight Club), and you won’t believe how different he looks ...

yagasat 08.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X is a very brutal film in parts and I admire it for being quite up-front and honest. The director Tony Kaye was supposedly locked out of the editing process and disowned the film but personally if I'd have directed this I wouldn't be ashamed. Edward Norton plays Derek Vineyard, the leader of a group of white supremacists. One very nasty act ends up with him going to prison. Inside he gets chance to reflect on his past and beliefs ...
...he's released however he finds that his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) has followed in his footsteps and that his family is on the poverty line. Throughout the film Derek tries to steer his brother away from some the same crowd that he was in with. This leads to tragic results. The film has some powerful imagery and some great acting. Norton grabbed an Oscar nomination for his work while Furlong shows he can act well when given a good part. ...

utero 27.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)

...you in all sorts of emotions, from disgust through to sadness, and the film is just so incredibly powerful that it is hard to explain. If you have a strong stomach and an open mind, you are sure to appreciate how awesomely acted, produced and directed American History X is. ...

mattmorrison 17.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of American History X (DVD)