American History X (DVD)

One of the most powerful film dramas ever created. Follow the story of Derrick Vinyard, a brilliant but troubled young man who falls into the white supremacist movement in Venice Beach, California and quickly rises through the ranks to become a leader. But after serving a three year prison sentence for killing two black men who had tried to steal his car, Derrick emerges as a new person on a mission to distance himself, and his younger brother Danny, from the racist lifestyle he had helped to create. Exactly how this transformation took place is slowly revealed through a series of flashbacks, culminating with a brutal act of betrayal at the hands of those he counted as friends and his salvation through the people he'd always cast as enemies. Edward Norton (as Derrick) is superb in American History X, rightly receiving an Oscar nomination for the role. Supporting actors Edward Furlong (Danny), Beverly D'Angelo (the boys' mother), and Avery Brooks as Dr. Sweeney (the boys' high school teacher) also shine. Really, though, it all comes down to the superb writing and directing which paints a believable portrait of how a couple of otherwise bright young men can be sucked into such an illogical viewpoint of hatred. An early scene depicting a basketball game played between Derrick's skinhead followers and a group of black gang members is exceptional: even while your mind recoils from the neo-nazi tattoos and racist epithets thrown about by the white hoopsters it's difficult not to feel a certain amount of triumph as they prevail against the odds. Listening to Derrick spout off cherry-picked statistics and tired arguments in favor of his racist views you begin to understand the appeal a movement like that can have for aimless youths despite your own incredulity at the words pouring out of his mouth. This is a film which forgoes blatant preaching in favor of simply demonstrating the end results of such misguided anger, and one which will have a significant impact on its viewers. There are criticisms to be leveled: some of the scenarios are contrived to put it kindly, many of the secondary characters are poorly developed (if at all), and the ending comes about 20 minutes too late while ditching much of the subtlety showcased throughout the run time in favor of a sledge hammer approach. None of these detract from the beautifully fleshed out primary character of Derrick, nor from the superb portrayal offered by Norton, and certainly they do not diminish the overall worth of the picture.

Going into American History X, I knew two things about the movie: 1) it was about neo nazi's 2)Edward Norton was suppose to keep constant with being an amazing actor. Apon viewing History, I left with knowing three things: 1)The writing and direction are bar none 2) Edward Norton is still a phenominal actor and 3)American History X is one helluva film. Nazi's are characters which aren't too common in American film. Outside of being plastered by an All American protagonist assult rifle, (or by the Bear Jew's bat) Nazi's are untouched by the cinema. Never before has anyone tried to take a Nazi, a modern day Nazi at that, and turn him into a heroic character. American History X uses this as it's main hook. Edward Norton plays a reformed Neo-Nazi in Venice Beach. After being incarcerated for 3 years in prision, Derek Vinyard (Norton) looks to reform his life and save his brother from the gang life that he lead. Norton's acting in the late 90's was that of legends. AHX catipultes him on a podium of acting that is untouched by the hords of modern day preformers. His acting talents have leaked into other flicks, but with History X and Fight Club, Norton was in rare form, catipulting two revolutionary films even further. Thematically, American History gives a good amount of social commentary where the message is prevelant, but you aren't bashed over the head. Touching on a theme that Unforgiven gave, direcotr Tony Kaye asks us, can forgiveness be an option to a person with such a terrible history? Mixing themes of race, gang life, and redemption, American History message is left blatently open, but is strong and powerful. American History X blew me away. I intially thought X would showcase the downfall of a man with no morals. Instead, I was introduced to a cast of mentally complex characters that grow and evolve. As brutal as it is brilliant, AHX is rated R for good reason. Graphic violence, rape and language is used liberally. It packs as big a punch with adult material is it does with it's message. On the last note, Hollywood once agian takes its stabs at Republicans (although Vinyard is right winged Naxi, he has very educated political opinions), dissapointing me, the "close minded conservative". Regardless, History X is a great film that derserves to be viewed. 9.5

Very good movie I highly recommended it!!!

One of the best movies on hate and racism I have ever seen, Norton and Furlong give outstanding performances. It's a movie every adult should see. Brutally real.

This item was exactly as described and offered at a great price. I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly it arrived—less than three weeks from Germany to the USA! I had already expected it wouldn’t be compatible with my player, as I purchased it purely as a collector’s piece, and it’s perfect for that. I truly appreciate the smooth transaction and would definitely buy from you again. Thanks again!

„American History X“ gehört zu den Filmen, die einen wirklich beschäftigen. Die Handlung ist hart, aber glaubwürdig erzählt, und die Entwicklung der Figuren wirkt durchgehend authentisch. Edward Norton spielt die Rolle unglaublich überzeugend und trägt den Film fast allein. Trotz der Schwere bleibt der Film gut nachvollziehbar und ist nicht einfach nur brutal, sondern zeigt klar, wie Menschen in bestimmte Ideologien rutschen und wie schwer der Weg raus ist. Die Blu-ray hat ein sauberes Bild und einen klaren Ton, also technisch problemlos. Kein leichter Film, aber einer der stärksten in diesem Genre.

Klasyk.

awesome movie

米1998年公開の白人主義者による人種差別テーマの秀作。 2016年に就任したトランプ元大統領の支持層の主張を見事に代弁する主人公と、その家族に巻き起こる怨恨と混乱と破綻と再生を、素晴らしい臨場感で再現していて、冒頭からラストまで恐ろしい程のデジャヴ感を味わえる。 同じ白人主義でもＫＫＫではなく、ネオナチ地域組織が諸悪の土壌だ。 前半は白人が建国した米国が、あらゆる有色人種によって簒奪され、職を奪われ、マイノリティ救済の名のもとに悪平等に晒され、犯罪社会に突き落とされたことへの、エドワード・ノートン演じるデレクの怒りが炸裂する。 右胸には大きな鉤十字、スキンヘッドで筋肉ムキムキのデレクが捲し立てる白人主義崇拝の弁舌は、物凄い説得力だ。その理路整然とした長セリフの剣幕は魅惑的で誰しも引き寄せられる。それこそが恐ろしい洗脳的な呪いなのだ。 その眼光、その頭脳、そのリーダーシップは、ネオナチ集団では輝けるカリスマで、ノートン作品ではファイト・クラブを越える、称賛に値する物凄い演技だ。 「Ｔ２」で子役ジョンを演じたエドワード・ファーロングの弟ダニーも、その兄を崇拝して一色に染まっていく。何が真実で、何が扇動なのかを見極められないティーンエイジャーから始まる人種差別とは、何て罪深いのだろう。 この恨みの連鎖を断ちきることが如何に難しいか、二時間後に観客は思い知ることになる。 家庭、学校、警察、刑務所、商業、地域社会など、様々な関係者が“怒りと恨み”の増幅と沈静化で綱引きを繰り返すのだが、いずれもリアルで見応えがある。 様々な人種が共存する未来を妨げるのは、相手を知らないだけの無知、過去を美化して自分の努力不足を棚に上げる自己欺瞞、そして集団の力によるマウントポジションへの羨望だ。 途中、デレクの心境変化の描き込みが少し単純すぎる気もするが、大きな問題ではない。良識な書籍を読み、視野を広げ、異人種と会話する、只それだけでいい。 “恨みは何も産み出さない”ことを徹底的に叩き込まれる、素晴らしい秀作です。

Le doy solo 4 estrellas por el hecho de que no viene en español, pero es una película excelente