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American History X

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.2M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
358
55
Edward Norton in American History X (1998)
Trailer for this intense drama
Play trailer2:25
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Prison DramaPsychological DramaTragedyCrimeDrama

Living a life marked by violence, neo-Nazi Derek finally goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change; he hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who id... Read allLiving a life marked by violence, neo-Nazi Derek finally goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change; he hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps.Living a life marked by violence, neo-Nazi Derek finally goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change; he hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps.

  • Director
    • Tony Kaye
  • Writer
    • David McKenna
  • Stars
    • Edward Norton
    • Edward Furlong
    • Beverly D'Angelo
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    1.2M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    358
    55
    • Director
      • Tony Kaye
    • Writer
      • David McKenna
    • Stars
      • Edward Norton
      • Edward Furlong
      • Beverly D'Angelo
    • 1.7KUser reviews
    • 129Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #42
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 15 nominations total

    Videos2

    American History X
    Trailer 2:25
    American History X
    American History X
    Trailer 2:26
    American History X
    American History X
    Trailer 2:26
    American History X

    Photos453

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    + 447
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    Top cast57

    Edit
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Derek
    Edward Furlong
    Edward Furlong
    • Danny
    Beverly D'Angelo
    Beverly D'Angelo
    • Doris
    Jennifer Lien
    Jennifer Lien
    • Davina
    Ethan Suplee
    Ethan Suplee
    • Seth
    Fairuza Balk
    Fairuza Balk
    • Stacey
    Avery Brooks
    Avery Brooks
    • Sweeney
    Elliott Gould
    Elliott Gould
    • Murray
    Stacy Keach
    Stacy Keach
    • Cameron
    William Russ
    William Russ
    • Dennis
    Guy Torry
    Guy Torry
    • Lamont
    Joe Cortese
    Joe Cortese
    • Rasmussen
    Jason Bose Smith
    • Little Henry
    • (as Jason Bose-Smith)
    Antonio David Lyons
    Antonio David Lyons
    • Lawrence
    Alex Sol
    Alex Sol
    • Mitch McCormick
    Keram Malicki-Sánchez
    • Chris
    • (as Keram Malicki-Sanchez)
    Giuseppe Andrews
    Giuseppe Andrews
    • Jason
    Michelle Christine White
    • Lizzy
    • Director
      • Tony Kaye
    • Writer
      • David McKenna
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Edward Norton turned down Saving Private Ryan (1998) to do this film. He and Tom Hanks were both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor; neither won.
    • Goofs
      In the opening scene, Derek fires 24 shots without reloading from a Ruger P94, which could hold no more than 10 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.
    • Quotes

      Bob Sweeney: There was a moment, when I used to blame everything and everyone for all the pain and suffering and vile things that happened to me, that I saw happen to my people. Used to blame everybody. Blamed White people, blamed society, blamed God. I didn't get no answers 'cause I was asking the wrong questions. You have to ask the right questions.

      Derek Vinyard: Like what?

      Bob Sweeney: Has anything you've done made your life better?

    • Alternate versions
      The New Line Cinema DVD features three deleted scenes:
      • A scene in which an elderly black woman is harassed and made to cry on the boardwalk by a bunch of teenage skinheads.
      • A scene after the "party", in which Cameron and Seth go to a café and discuss Derek's change. They then harass a black guy/white girl couple, and then leave. A car is waiting outside, in which several black men watch them leave, before going after them. One black man inside the car remarks "Somebody's gonna get their ass whipped." The aftermath is not shown, but we later learn that Cameron and Seth were attacked.
      • A brief scene in the café near the end in which Derek winks at a little black girl and asks her if he looks okay.
    • Connections
      Edited into American History X: Deleted Scenes (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Battle Hymn of the Republic
      (circa 1856) (uncredited)

      Music by William Steffe

      Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe (1862)

      Sung a cappella by Ethan Suplee with modified lyrics

    User reviews1.7K

    Featured review
    10/10

    This is a fantastic movie....

    This is a fantastic movie because no matter what side you're on in life, this movie shows them all, good and bad, right or wrong. I also agree with the point in the movie that proves that people can change for the better and straighten things out in their head to do the right things in life. Yes, things in our world have changed, some for the good, some for the bad, but just because you might not agree with some of it, doesn't mean you can play God and try to make things "your way" and this shows exactly what happens when you try. This movie talks about all walks of life and the struggles we all have in what beliefs are right and wrong. Yes this movie is brutal and violent, but also truthful to the past and unfortunately still sometimes the present. This movie is about race, but not only 1 race is singled out and fed to the dogs, they all are. So, go into this movie with an open mind and your mind will come out full.
    • jmchnwth
    • Jan 6, 2006
    • Permalink

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    FAQ28

    • How long is American History X?Powered by Alexa
    • What does the X in "American History X" mean?
    • Is "American History X" based on a book?
    • What does the title mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Historia americana X
    • Filming locations
      • Venice High School - 13000 Venice Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Savoy Pictures
      • The Turman-Morrissey Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,719,864
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $156,076
      • Nov 1, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,875,714
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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