If didactic and overwrought at times, it's also powerful and persuasive. [Blu-ray]
Comment
05/25/09
Rate this Movie 
American History X (1998)
83
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work
Reviews Counted:72
Fresh:60
Rotten:12
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: A compelling and provocative story led by an excellent performance by Edward Norton.
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Edward Norton gives an impassioned performance as Derek Vinyard, a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the... [More]
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo
Director: Tony Kaye
Get This Movie
Reviews for American History X
...a violent film on a weighty topic...frank and honest, its characters, actions, and ideas compelling the viewer to look further and become involved.
04/16/09
Any idiot can make us wince at the ugliness of beatings and shootings.
07/23/07
Click to read the article
10/30/06
Click to read the article
06/24/06
Well-intentioned and well-acted but unconvicning, this saga provides an instructive example to the simplistic approach taken by movies when tackling the social problem of racism.
02/26/06
Click to read the article
12/06/05
Top CriticClick to read the article
07/21/05
Top CriticClick to read the article
04/09/05
Pesado e incômodo, discute o racismo com inteligência e conta com uma interpretação absolutamente impecável de Edward Norton.
08/29/04
Click to read the article
07/29/04
Click to read the article
05/20/03
Derrick's journey to hell and the one back are portrayed organically and gradually.
12/08/02
Click to read the article
11/07/02
Click to read the article
10/15/02
The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.
10/07/02
Click to read the article
09/10/02
What partly redeems American History X from its most preachy excesses -- and makes it worth seeing -- is a brilliant, career-high performance by actor Edward Norton.
04/12/02
Top CriticClick to read the article
03/24/02
Top CriticA work of impressive scale and craft and not a movie that's easy to dismiss in the end.
03/03/02
Latest News for American History X
August 25, 2009:
EW Lists 16 Classic "Dare You to Look" Scenes 
All the Nazi-scalpin' action in "Inglourious Basterds" has got the EW staff to thinking about some of the most hard-to-watch scenes in film -- and to that end, they've assembled... More...
October 07, 2007:
American History X Directors Cut Coming...Sort Of
In 1998, director Tony Kaye battled New Line Cinema over the release of American History X. Dissatisfied with the studio's meddling in his artistic vision, the theatrical cut... More...
August 11, 2005:
Tony Kaye Returns to Dish Out Some "Paranoia"
Controversial filmmaker Tony Kaye ("American History X") will direct his first movie in quite some time when he steps behind the cameras on "Paranoia." The... More...
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Worst Movie Biopics
Moviefone brings us 9 failed attempts at biographical films.
Top Cameron Crowe Moments
TIME reminisces on the 10 most iconic moments from the films of Cameron Crowe.
November Films
BuzzSugar wants to know which movies coming out this month you're most looking forward to.
The New Cult Canon
The AV Club takes a look back at Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
IGN RSS Feeds