But this story is mainly about redemption. The redemption of the character in question, Derrick Vinyard. Only after he loses everything can he begin to see the horrible path that he has beaten for his younger brother who is speedily chasing after him. The unlikely friendship with a black prison inmate and the tutalage of his former principle are what helps him return to his humanity. The simple yet distanced solution to all the hatred and anger that he's felt most of his life comes like an epiphany: "It's just not worth it." A point that he vehemently drives into those around him.

Be forwarned, this is not a happy story. The ending is tragic yet depressingly real. Hatred becomes a vicious circle.

88 of 99 found the following review helpful:

One of the best movies I have ever seen.  Feb 08, 2000
By FloozyFlapper1926
This is one of the movies that touched me more than any others have in quite a long time. It puts a human face on skinheads, not glorifying them yet showing how a young person can be warped by a racist father and what racism can do to a family. Derek Vinyard had to learn the truth about racism the hard way by being betrayed in prison and he began to question his beliefs after a black man is the only person who befriends him. He begins to understand how futile and destructive hatred is only to pay for his mistakes in the end. At times this movies is difficult to watch but I think it is important for everyone to see. Ed Norton definitely deserved the oscar for this film and was cheated. Anyone who watches this will see how racism only destroys families, hurts others and destroys one's self in the end. It is brutal yet honest and it is what good filmmaking is all about it. I would give it ten stars if I could. Simply brilliant.

39 of 46 found the following review helpful:

Truth about Racism........  Jun 19, 2000
By Jacqueline M. Lum
American History is chilling story about a skinhead Derek (Norton) who is sent to prison for killing two blank gang members. During his incarceration he is subjected to the brutal ways of prison society. In the prison laundry Derek meets a fellow black inmate who has no ill-feeling towards Derek's racist beliefs and helps Derek change his attitudes towards other people. Overtime, Derek begins too see the damage racism has brought to himself and his family. Unfortunately Derek's younger brother is heading towards the same path Derek took. Derek is determined too stop his brother and faces his former gang and mentor.

American History should be shown to all high school kids because the movie has such a strong message. The part of the movie that struck me was Derek's family. His family was emotionally and morally bankrupt by the past racism inflicted by Derek's deceased father and Derek himself. Ed Norton's portrayal as a young racist was chilling and convincing. You could feel his rage and hatred towards society and minorities in general. I thought Ed Norton deserved an Oscar, however the academy gets weak knees about issues such as racism. I would recommend this movie...

25 of 29 found the following review helpful:

...From the better angels of our nature...  Sep 01, 1999

Stunningly powerful movie which left me and my friends in a state of quiet and thoughtful contemplation even as the titles were concluding. A cautionary tale I guess set in Venice Beach,California about hate and prejudice.Two common human traits of which none of us are innocent.

A talented cast led by those two Edwardians,Norton and Furlong of a story about a young neo nazi who is jailed for three years after the cold blooded killing of a black man attempting to steal his car.This flashback scene is not for the faint-hearted.He is unremorseful at first but eventually finds his epiphany within the stark reality of the prison walls.Enough said.

Despite the controversial nature of the film it does cut to the core hard and fast.I especially liked the flashbacks in black&white.An often used device which works well here,as does the quote by Abraham Lincoln towards the end,"...we must not be enemies but friends..." Many critics have been scathing of the one dimensional supporting characters and they may be right in that respect,Nortons exceptional performance not withstanding but this still does not devalue it from being one of the most critical and memorable films to come out of hollywood for a long time.One of my top ten for this last decade of the millenium and well deserved.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:

Fight the real enemy: hate.  Feb 02, 2000
By Michael Paulsen
Wow...I wasn't too keen on watching this film based on its premise, but it is truly one of the best films I've ever seen. Not many films would dare to peer into the cancer that is white supremacy, yet show that there can be a redemption of sorts. The most thought-provoking scenes occur during Derek's (Edward Norton) transformation in prison. Here, he finds that everything is not as he thought it was, and that some injustices are very real. He eventually befriends a black inmate who unconditionally treats him as an equal (despite clearly knowing Derek's racist views), and soon learns that his friend is serving 6 years for a mere theft that has been trumped up to "assault of a police officer", while his own sentence for murdering two black men is lesser. And yet this does not come off as some preachy statement on the injustices faced by blacks who commit crimes versus whites. The film levels the playing field quite admirably. Avery Brooks does a fine job as the Sweeney, a black teacher who recognizes the blind hatred in Derek and consequently in his younger brother Daniel (Edward Furlong), who is swiftly following in his brothers footsteps. Sweeney, reflecting on his own youth, sheds light on reverse-racism in growing up black. Both Edwards (Norton and Furlong) deliver intensely real performances.

This film, like no other I have seen in recent years, so well conveys the concept that the only real enemy is not to be found in another person, but in the blind, untempered hatred within us fueled by our fears, insecurities and misunderstandings.

See all 688 customer reviews on Amazon.com