Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: BIGTOFFICE
DVD Layers: 2
DVD Sides: 1
EAN: 9786305313687
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 6305313687
Item Dimensions: 20
Label: New Line Home Video
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 2.0 SurroundEnglishSubtitled
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
MPN: MC-A1344
Number Of Items: 1
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
Publisher: New Line Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 06, 1999
Running Time: 119 minutes
Studio: New Line Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: October 30, 1998

Features:

• LEARNING MATERIALS
• Classroom Decorations
• Charts

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Here's a dramatic display of important events in the history of Black Americans, from the arrival of the first African slaves in Jamestown in 1619, to the appointment of Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State. It's 8 1/2 inches high and over 14 feet long.

Amazon.com:
Perhaps the highest compliment you can pay to Edward Norton is that his Oscar-nominated performance in American History X nearly convinces you that there is a shred of logic in the tenets of white supremacy. If that statement doesn't horrify you, it should; Norton is so fully immersed in his role as a neo-Nazi skinhead that his character's eloquent defense of racism is disturbingly persuasive--at least on the surface. Looking lean and mean with a swastika tattoo and a mind full of hate, Derek Vinyard (Norton) has inherited racism from his father, and that learning has been intensified through his service to Cameron (Stacy Keach), a grown-up thug playing tyrant and teacher to a growing band of disenfranchised teens from Venice Beach, California, all hungry for an ideology that fuels their brooding alienation.

The film's basic message--that hate is learned and can be unlearned--is expressed through Derek's kid brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), whose sibling hero-worship increases after Derek is imprisoned (or, in Danny's mind, martyred) for the killing of two black men. Lacking Derek's gift of rebel rhetoric, Danny is easily swayed into the violent, hateful lifestyle that Derek disowns during his thoughtful time in prison. Once released, Derek struggles to save his brother from a violent fate, and American History X partially suffers from a mix of intense emotions, awkward sentiment, and predictably inevitable plotting. And yet British director Tony Kaye (who would later protest against Norton's creative intervention during post-production) manages to juggle these qualities--and a compelling clash of visual styles--to considerable effect. No matter how strained their collaboration may have been, both Kaye and Norton can be proud to have created a film that addresses the issue of racism with dramatically forceful impact. --Jeff Shannon




Rating: - 3.5 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:

American History X is a terrific film; though the director may have tried to distance himself from the final product, the movie is well-directed, well-acted, and well-constructed.

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Rating: - Ridiculously Good
This is an amazing movie where Edward Norton gives a spectacular performance. Edward Norton starts out as an unrepentant white supremacist but after his jail experience, he comes out trying to save his younger brother from that life. It is an amazing movie about how racism and hatred doesn't get you anywhere and leaves last ripples. It is somewhat graphic so it is not for the younger crowd. It's amazing from start to finish and the ending leave you stunned (and I cried). It is a must own for anyone ... Read More

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Rating: - Racism Gets Curb-Stomped
American History X is what 'Crash' failed to be, that is, a nuanced and believable exploration of the roots and manifestations of racism. The film does not lecture but nor does it pardon - it approaches its delicate subject matter with conviction, maturity and stark imagery.

Set among the resurgence of Neo-Nazism among California's disenchanted urban youth in the 80's and early 90's, X is the story of one family, headed by eldest son Norton, and how the seed of racism takes root in his ... Read More

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Rating: - More than just skin deep
Most people have a list of movies that were recommended to them, and are immensely popular, but...they just never get around to watching any. For a time, I had quite a few myself: The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, Platoon, The Usual Suspects and American History X.

One day, I decided to look at the last movie on my list. While it was generally regarded as a positive, uplifting movie, I was a bit skeptical about anything to do with racism: most films dealing with this subject tend to show us ... Read More

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Rating: - One little thing
The only negative thing that I have to say about this movie is the sterotype on skinheads. Not all skinheads are Nazis. Actually, it's only about 10% of the skinhead population that are white supremisists. I personally am not a skinhead but I have friends that are who are completely against that sect of skinheadism and don't even consider those who do fit the racist neo-nazi mold to be real skinheads in the first place. You should check out a documentary called Dark Planet:Visions of America to get ... Read More

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