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American History X

8.3

151,008

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Original title: American History X
Year: 1998
Running time: 119 min.
Country: United States
Director: Tony Kaye
Screenwriter: David McKenna
Music: Anne Dudley
Cinematography: Tony Kaye
Cast: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Stacy Keach, Elliott Gould, Avery Brooks, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien, Guy Torry, Ethan Suplee, Keram Malicki-Sánchez
Producer: New Line Cinema
Genre: Drama | Racism. Prison Drama. Nazism. Social Drama. Street Gang. Cult Movie
Synopsis: Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) is a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the error of his ways. Upon reentering the real world, he must now turn his attentions to his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong), who is swiftly heading down the same path as his brother.

Rankings Position

#26 Best US Movies of all time
#27 Best Drama Movies
#35 Best Movies in the history of film

Awards: 1998: Nominated for Oscar: Best Actor (Edward Norton)

1998: Chicago Film Critics Awards: Nominated for Best Actor (Edward Norton)

1998: Satellite Awards: Best Actor (Norton). 3 Nom.: Screenplay & Supp. Actress (D'Angelo)

Critics' reviews

"I must be clear. This is a good and powerful film. If I am dissatisfied, it is because it contains the promise of being more than it is (... )Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"[It] has enough fiery acting and provocative bombast to make its impact felt (...) [It] knows which raw nerves to hit."

Janet Maslin: The New York Times
"A shockingly powerful screed against racism that also manages to be so well performed and directed that it is entertaining as well"

Gene Siskel: Chicago Reader
"Too black and white (...) Predictable soap-boxing"

Paul Tatara: CNN
"Arrestingly photographed, and boasting another intelligent and muscular performance by the chameleon-like Edward Norton"

Michael O'Sullivan: The Washington Post
"There may be much to like about his movie, but it's all been done before to more challenging degrees of moral ambiguity. That's a pretty fatal flaw."

Joshua Klein: AV Club
"[It] digs to uncommon depths in examining the roots of prejudice and the wages of hate-inspired violence."

Todd McCarthy: Variety
Show 5 more reviews

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Ranking Lists Position

5 Movies with a Great Male Lead (223)
6 My Favorite Dramas (711)
7 Movies I Want to Own (190)
10 Absolute Musts (53)
13 My Favorites from the 90s (471)
14 My Favorite Movies (6671)
18 My Favorite Cult Classics (234)
21 Movies with the Best Endings (311)
26 Movies I Like But Wouldn't Recommend to Everyone (48)
31 Most Moving Movies (118)
36 Movies with the Best Beginnings (not including opening credits) (42)
45 Movies with Great Screenplays (67)
46 Movies I Liked More the Second Time I Watched Them (26)
49 Movies I Have Seen A Billion Times (145)
54 Best Movie Posters Ever (My Favorite Posters) (30)
77 Movies I Own (1060)
77 Movies with Skillful Editing (18)
83 The Most Unpleasant Movies I Have Ever Watched (15)
88 Overrated Movies (96)
96 Movies that Don't Seem that Special but are Very Special to Me (45)

Show 20 lists

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