American History X is one of the most powerful movies released in years. Since Schindler's List has the subject of racism been so potently presented. The use of black and white cinematography to portray painful flashbacks is amazing, This ads to the advantage of the move as one of Thee greatest movies of all time.
Starring............
Edward Norton ... Derek Vinyard Edward Furlong ... Danny Vinyard Beverly D'Angelo ... Doris Vinyard Avery Brooks ... Dr. Bob Sweeney Jennifer Lien ... Davina Vinyard Ethan Suplee ... Seth Ryan Stacy Keach ... Cameron Alexander Fairuza Balk ... Stacey
In the late 80s early 90s, Derek Vinyard (an excellent and mature, bright student) is drawn into the neo-Nazi underground after his father, a firefighter, is shot and killed by a black drug dealer while fighting a fire in a crack house. Derek becomes second-in-command of the Venice Beach neo-Nazi gang, "The Disciples of Christ (D.O.C.)", which entices young white men to join by promising protection from predominantly minority gangs who are essentially in control of the area, eg, basketball court and the beach etc.......
One night as Derek sleeps in his bed, Three black men are seen breaking into his car, reaching for his gun Derek charges outside and shoots one of the trio, killing him. He wounds another as the third man escapes in a vehicle. Derek takes the 3rd man to the Curb. Pointing the gun at the mans head, he orders him to open his mouth and bite the curb at the corner, with his mouth wide open, Then Derek stomps on the back of his head (known as curb stomping), effectively breaking his jaw & neck. Danny (Dereks younger brother) watches in horror and witnesses his brother's arrest, who smiles triumphantly at his brother while being handcuffed.
Derek is sentenced to three years in prison, charged with voluntary manslaughter, after joining a Neo-Nazi prison gang, for protection. Derek soon begins to make some gang members alienated and as a result, Derek bomes the victim of serious rapes and beatings.
Derek makes friends with a black inmate named Lamont (Guy Torry), with whom he works in the prison laundry room. After the rape, he sees that Lamont is his only friend and decides to abandon the gang. Just before Derek is released on parole, largely due to his former English teacher Dr. Sweeney's (Brooks) vouching for him, he realizes that only through Lamont's intervention did the black prison gangs leave him unharmed.
Derek returns home to find that his little brother Danny has followed in his neo-Nazi footsteps. In addition to associating with the D.O.C., Danny has written a paper arguing for Hitler as a civil rights hero. The teacher wants him expelled, but Dr Sweeney wants him to write a report on Dereks change over the past three years. After hearing from Derek about his brutal stint in jail, Danny soon converts his views and way of life from the Neo-Nazi's.
The ending of the film will have you in tears and i will not give it away, but it is a hearty ending and is not expected.
For all the violence and racism in this movie, it really highlights views on both sides of the movement and the change from Neo-Nazi.
I HATE racists and to see Derek and young Danny turning away from the Nazi way of life is truely amazing and one can only wish it could happen all over the world.......
More details
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
How does it rate alongside the competition
Not applicable
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Outstanding
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
