Amazon Prime Video original film American History X was released October 30th, 1998.
#AmericanHistoryX made $23.8M at the international box office.
rottentomatoes: 84%
metacritic: 62
imdb: 8.5
oscars: 1 nomination
Derek Vineyard
Derek Vineyard is incarcerated for manslaughter in Venice Beach, California.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
1 nomination: 1999
“Jesus, Danny what the fuck are you thinking? How long’s he been there? Not right now, honey. How many? Danny, how many? Is he strapped? Does he have a fucking gun, Danny? Stay right here and be quiet. Stay right here. Shh, shh, shh. They’re right here.” — Derek Vineyard
“How do you think I feel? I think it’s typical. This country’s becoming a haven for criminals, so, what do you expect? Decent, hardworking Americans like my dad are getting rubbed out by social parasites. Blacks, browns, yellow, whatever. Yeah, it’s race-related. Every problem in this country is race-related, not just crime. Immigration, AIDS, welfare. Those are problems of the black community, the Hispanic community, the Asian community. Their not white problems.” — Derek Vineyard
“No. They’re not products of their environments, either. That’s crap. Minorities don’t give two shits about this country. They come here to exploit it, not to embrace it. Millions of white European-Americans came here and flourished. Within a generation. What the fuck is the matter with these people? They have to go around shooting at firemen. Because my father was murdered doing his job. Putting out a fire in a ****** neighborhood he shouldn’t have given a shit about. He got shot by a fucking drug dealer who probably still collects a welfare check.” — Derek Vineyard
“Come on, Seth. Block. Come on, Curtis. Quit chucking it up. Pass the ball. Look at this fucking jungle bunny. He does a spin move every time. Every time. You can’t take a shit. What the fuck are you thinking if you don’t have the money? Shut up. Shut up. You’re gonna fucking embarrass us. Shut up! I’ll take care of this. Hey. I got a bet. I come in this right now. Same score, but we play black guys against white guys.” — Derek Vineyard
“No money. No money. For these courts. And not just today. For good. If you win, we will walk away. But if we win, no bitching, no fighting, here in front of everybody, pack your shit and get your black asses out of here. Eight to six, our ball. Pick him up. Pick him up. Seth, get back and play some D! If you want to go, I’m ready! Don’t throw elbows! Yeah. Just give me some water. Not on game point, Danny. Honey, it’s game point. Watch this.” — Derek Vineyard
“What’s the matter? You too big to give me a hug? Heh. Yeah, right. This place is smaller than the old living room. How you doing? How’s school? I don’t know. The girls like it, so… you’re keeping it pretty close. All the way down, huh? When did you get that? Cameron? He put this on you? Nothing. Nothing. There a phone in the back? You think our friend was behind that? Well, you know what? I don’t even care. I don’t even care because I’m gonna take care of that tonight.” — Derek Vineyard
“No, he’ll do it. He’ll do it. I’ll make sure he does it. Hang on. Give me a minute. No, I’ll be out in a minute. I’m being careful. What am I gonna do? I’m not gonna stay in my room the rest of my life. Hold on. Hey. Hey. What the fuck is Seth doing here? Did you invite him over? All right. Danny, give me a minute. Just give me one minute. Yeah. Look, you got to let me do this my own way, all right? I’ll take care of it.” — Derek Vineyard
“Hey, how do you know who I hate, Davina? I think you lost weight, man. I can get my arms almost all the way around you. All right. I wanna talk to him one second. Look… hey, uh, listen, did you pull some shit in school today? Did you turn in a paper on Mein Kampf? Was that your idea or did Cameron put you up to that? Did he tell you to do that? Doesn’t matter how. Yeah, Sweeney called. Relax. Listen. Sweeney’s a good teacher, all right?” — Derek Vineyard
“Seth. Hey, Seth. Seth, go away. Go away. Nope. Go wait in Danny’s room. I wanna talk to my brother. I’m glad to see you. I’ll be there in one minute. Come here. Seriously, look… forget this yahoo. He kills bugs for a living. You don’t wanna be like that. I’m serious. It’s not funny. Sweeney is a good teacher. You can learn from him. So don’t go fuck it up with small-fry shit like that. You got to be smarter than that. I know about it. He told me about it. I don’t care. Do it. You do anything he tells you to do. I mean it. I don’t want you in trouble in school, trying to impress me, taking this shit in there, all right? Do you understand what I’m saying?” — Derek Vineyard
“Well, I’m not. Shit. Listen to that. All right, don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to you about this later. Later. She’s coughing her lungs out and you’re blowing this shit in her face all day. Put it out. All right. Come on. Hey. Come on, I wanna talk to you. What are you doing? Put that out. I’m just yelling at him for blowing smoke and you’re in here sucking on it. Yeah. You all right? You all right? Look, you gotta take it easy. You gotta get some rest. I want you to take Danny’s and my room and we’ll hit the couch.” — Derek Vineyard
“No, it’s not fine. It’s not. This is terrible. We can’t live like this. We gotta get out of here. Yeah, we all gotta get out of here. That’s the point. No. No, absolutely not. You gotta finish. I’ll work something out. I don’t give a shit! Go wait in the living room! I know, I know. Look. He’s an idiot. He’s always been an idiot. Not at Cameron’s, all right? I need you to stay away from there. Trust me. I’ll explain it later. I need you to stay away from the party, all right? Hey, I’m not kidding. Promise me you’ll stay away from that party. Come on, let’s go. Where are you parked?” — Derek Vineyard
Doris / Davina / Ally Vineyard
“Come on, Danny. Hello? Hi. Just hang on a second. Derek, it’s for you. Mm-hm. I’ll get it in the back. I got it. Yeah? Oh, hey. What? Mwah. My sweet kid. My baby boy. I’ll get it. Are you sure you can fit through the fucking door? He’s on the phone. God, are you still here, Goodyear? When was the last time you were able to see your feet?”
“Danny, no. I feel sorry for you, Danny. I know you don’t believe that. No, you shut the fuck up! Get out of the house, you piece of shit! Please go. Derek hates you and you don’t realize it.”
“Mommy, are you okay? Nice thing to come home to, huh? Couch is fine for now. Can I go with you? I could drop out of school and get a job. I want him out of my house.”
Danny Vineyard
“Derek. Derek. Derek. There’s a black guy outside. He’s breaking into your car. I don’t know. One, I think. Huh? Man, I don’t fucking know.”
“I knew it was you. What’s what gonna be? I don’t know. Fine. Yeah, he did. Heh-heh-heh. Look, Sweeney, did you bring me in here to talk about Derek? Because what happened to him has nothing to do with me. Look, I followed directions and I wrote an A paper. Go ahead. You don’t think I could handle it? Oh, come on. It took me a week to read Mein Kampf. That isn’t fair.”
“Well, what do you want me to do it on? Oh, God, man. Please tell me you’re joking. Yeah, I’m clear. You gotta fucking stand up for yourself.”
“Venice Beach didn’t always look like this. It used to be a great neighborhood. The boardwalk’s always been a dump, but when my dad moved us out here Venice was a nice, quiet place to grow up. Over the years, though, it’s just gone to hell. The gangs are like a plague. They moved west from Inglewood and South Central and basically took over.”
“That’s why Derek started the D.O.C.. He said white kids shouldn’t have to walk around scared in their own neighborhood. For a while there, he really made it like it was ours again. It’s 8-6, Seth. You gotta call offense on that shit, Der. Yeah! Derek wouldn’t let us visit him in prison. He said it would make it too hard for him and that if we came, he wouldn’t see us anyhow.”
“Three years without him, just wondering, and then at 7:00 this morning we picked him outside the gate. Der. The whole ride back, he didn’t say anything. I wanted to stay home, but he said, ‘no, go to school. I’ll see you later.’ Oh, come on. Give the guy a break. No, man. I just know you’ll need someone to look after you while you adjust to all this space.”
“It’s good. It’s good. You gotta do something about that hair. That ‘do has gotta go. Well, I don’t. Yeah. Shit, look, I forgot, man. It hurt like shit while they put it on. I got it about a month ago. Cameron made it official. Yeah. Mm-hm. Yeah. What? God, what’s with the love fest, you guys? Seth. No, he always comes over here. Seth. Hey, man, you going to Cam’s party tonight? You’re fucking sick, man. I’m not in the mood. I got homework to do.”
“Okay. I believe in death, destruction, chaos, filth and greed. You mean that shit about your mother? I hate anyone that isn’t white Protestant. They’re a burden to the advancement of the white race. Some of them are all right, I guess. I hate the fact that it’s cool to be black these days. I hate this hip-hop fucking influence on white fucking suburbia. And I hate Tabitha Soren and all her Zionist MTV fucking pigs telling us we should get along. Save the rhetorical bullshit, Hillary Rodham Clinton, because it ain’t gonna fucking happen.”
“Yeah, I told him it’s gotta go. No, just the usual. Yeah. You should’ve– he did, man. No, man, I thought it would be cool. How’d you know, though? How’d you know? Was that Sweeney on the phone? He’s gotta get a fucking life. He pisses me off. You don’t understand. You gotta see the bullshit paper he’s making me write. I guess, but I was doing it because I thought you’d be happy. Yeah, I know. It’s been getting worse. Okay. I’m putting it out. Whatever, dude. He can’t help it. I gotta do that paper. Look, I’m gonna catch up with you later tonight.”
“What? But, why, man? I thought we were gonna hang. Whatever. I’m not fucking 14 anymore, all right? Whatever. God!”
Stacey
“Fucking pervert, Dan. What’s going on? Wait a second. What the fuck is going on, Derek? Jesus. Wait a second, Derek. Wait. Derek. Fuck that. You can’t let ****** get away with that shit.”
Murray
“I don’t have a personal problem with him, okay? I went out with his mother a few times. That was three years ago. It was nothing. That paper, Bob, it’s a travesty. Arguing for Hitler as a civil-rights hero? You’ve gotta draw the line. His brother probably put him up to it. I find that hard to believe. Whatever. I know he was a good kid and it’s a shame what he’s been through, but that is dangerous.”
“Bob, that goes too far.”
LAPD
“We got a whole file on skinheads. These all part of the same gang? Venice Beach gang. Where’s my buddy? He’s doing a stretch at YA. This guy C.C. Mm-hm. That him? Yeah, that’s him right there. This morning we have a guest coming in, and there he is.”
“Morning, sir. Good to see you, pal. Gentlemen, this here is Dr. Bob Sweeney. He’s principal over at Venice Beach High. For some time now, He’s been doing outreach work with gangs, both in and out of the can. Three years ago, a local kid named Derek Vineyard was sent up for murdering two Crips who were trying to jack his car. Bob taught Vineyard back in high school and he’s followed the case closely.”
“He was a skinhead, right? Who? Cameron Alexander. Here you go. Have a look-see. Cameron Alexander, well, he’s a Venice Beach landmark. He’s probably the biggest distributor and writer of white-power literature and videos in L.A. County. He promotes white-power bands. He writes reviews. And, uh, in his spare time, this guy even writes hate columns. Does he have a record? He’s pretty clean. Been trying to pin something to him, but it doesn’t work. He’s pretty clean. Been trying to pin something to him, but it doesn’t work.”
“There were no white gangs in Venice Beach before Cameron Alexander and Derek Vineyard hooked up. This kid Vineyard, well, he’s got a lot of baggage, as you’ll see in this tape that we’ve got courtesy of NBC. Aren’t those issues that deal more with poverty? Derek Vineyard was released from Chino earlier this morning after serving three and some-odd years. I think this is something we gotta keep an eye on. Just keep it low.”
Ethan Suplee
“Over here. Over here. This one’s for you, boy! You lucky motherfucker! I’m through monkeying around with your ass! Hear that? He’s trying to make ends meet for his cut in welfare. You’re fucking on! Danny, when I want your fucking opinion, I’ll ask for it. Come on, guys, I can’t cover this. Help me out here. I can take this ****** down. I will beat him. Give me the money. Bullshit! That’s offense.”
“Get the fuck off my court. This is my house. Get the fuck out of here! This is my court! Yes! Yeah.”
“♪ My eyes have seen the glory ♪ Of the trampling At the zoo ♪ We washed ourselves In ****** blood ♪ And all the mongrels’ too ♪ We’re taking down the ZOG machine ♪ Jew by Jew, by Jew ♪ The white man marches on ♪. Came to see the man. Fuck you! What’s up, Dan? How you doing? Where’s Derek?”
“Come out you free motherfucker! Vineyard, where the fuck are you? Vineyard! Vineyard! Are you calling me a blimp, you fucking Democrat? Come in here, Danny. Is Davina’s ass watertight? All right, relax. Let me ask you a few questions. Tell me some of the shit you’ve learned, fuck-ass, before I pistol-whip you. Cut the shit, Dan. Come on. Tell me what I wanna hear, asshole. You wanna get fucking beaten, Danny? I’m not fucking talking to toy, Davina. Why don’t you shut up?”
“Who do you hate, Danny? Why? None of them are fucking all right, Danny. They’re all fucking freeloaders. Remember what Cam said? ‘We don’t know them. We don’t wanna know them. They’re the fucking enemy.’ What don’t you like about them? And say it with some fucking conviction. Good. Good. That’s the best shit I’ve heard come out of your mouth. Shut up, Davina! Is that any way to talk to a guest? A friend of the family?”
“Fucking A. Back from the dead. God bless Jesus Christ, man. Fifty fucking pounds, man. Jesus, look at this hair. Holy shit. It’s good to have you back. Grab your jacket, let’s get the fuck out of here. I’m telling you, man, this kid is awesome. That’s awesome. Sweeney probably shit his pants. I’m telling you man, this kid is smart. This kid is smart as hell. What are you talking to Sweeney for? Sweeney is a ****** on a power trip, Vineyard.”
“That’s what he was like when we were there. And it’ll never change. Fuck that ******! What? Are you kidding? Hurry up. I’m starving. Derek, can we please go eat? I’m fucking starving here. God. Out back.”
Cameron Alexander
“Come on, let’s go. Let’s go. You have a big fucking mouth, Seth. Come on, Seth. All right. Defense! All right. You okay? Shut them down, Derek. Kick some ass. Bye-bye.”
Venice Beach, California
“Telling teacher I’ m fucking cheating? Is that what’s happening? I never cheated in my life. Beat his motherfucking ass, Henry. I didn’t say anything. Why you tripping on me? Why you all kicking him like that? What’s up, man? What you scared for? I ain’t gonna do nothing. What’s up? Want some too, bitch? Punk. What’s wrong with you? You wanna die? Punk-ass white boy. You lucky I gotta go to class. He ain’t gonna do nothing. He don’t wanna see me and the heater. Lucky the bell rung. I would have clocked that white boy. Punk-ass motherfucker. We’d smoke that fool.”
“Earlier today, L.A. County firefighter Dennis Vineyard was shot and killed battling a blaze at a suspected Compton drug den. We’re at the Vineyard home right now and Lieutenant Vineyard’s oldest son, Derek, has agreed to talk with us. Derek, if you could come down here, please, for just a second. Look, I know this is tough, but, um, how do you feel right now? Typical, how? Parasites?”
“I don’t understand. You think maybe your father’s murder was race-related? What does this have to do with your father? That’s enough. I’m sorry. It ain’t fouling you. What’s wrong with you? Fuck all y’all. I ain’t got time for all the bullshit. Fuck y’all. You all right? I’m all right. Yo, is that that fool you was telling me about? Yeah, that’s that motherfucker. Yeah, man, that’s him. Bitch-ass motherfucker.”
“Throw the ball. Throw the ball. Pass that thing. D up. Here we go. Come on. You ain’t getting shit, motherfucker. Fuck you–? Stop that. Who you calling a boy, motherfucker? You pale, pasty, pastrami-eating, cracker motherfucker, a hundred bucks say I make you my bitch. Motherfucker. Oh, shit. Name your price, cracker. Man, fuck that. Take this bet, man. Let’s go. Come on, let’s go. Get out of here. He moved his feet.”
“Want to go? Adolf Hitler-wannabe motherfucker? What? Kill that motherfucker! Dead! Wait, it’s cool. It’s cool. Relax. Get that ball. Pass the ball, baby. Pass the ball. Fuck you, bitch. What happened? I dropped the ball!”
Principal Sweeney
“Don’t insult my intelligence, Murray. You hate this child and I think I know why. Nothing. Really? Hmm. Murray, you actually did this to yourself. You told them that you could do a report on any book that related to the struggle for civil rights. In plain English. I am not disputing the fact that the child is confused and harbors some sick ideas, but I am not ready to give up on him yet.”
“I can guarantee you 100 percent his brother did not put him up to this. Dangerous in what way? This racist propaganda, this Mein Kampf psychobabble? He learned this nonsense, Murray, and he can unlearn it too. I will not give up on this child yet. Danny, get in here. I said, get in here. Get in here! Five, four, three, two… shut the door.”
“What’s it gonna be, Danny? This petty crap you’re pulling. Have a seat. How you doing? Things at home okay? Derek got out this morning, did he not? He was one of my students. You knew that, right? Honors English. He was a brilliant student. Like you. But he hung out with simple-minded fools. Also like you. Everything you do right now has something to do with Derek. ‘Mein Kampf?’ I should expel you.”
“No, I think the street would kill you. Your rhetoric and your propaganda aren’t gonna save you out there. So here’s the drill. I’m your history teacher from now on. We will discuss current events. We will call this class American History X. We meet once a day. All right, your first assignment is to prepare for me a new paper due tomorrow. Your brother. No, no, no. I’m not kidding. I want you to analyze and interpret all the events surrounding Derek’s incarceration. How these events helped shape your present perspective, concerning life in contemporary America. The impact on your life. Your family’s. Whatever you wanna say, Danny, I’ll be the only one reading it. But if it’s not on my desk tomorrow morning, you are a ghost at Venice Beach High. Are you clear?”
“Morning. Morning. He was more like the skinhead. The protégé of Cameron Alexander. Trust me. He’s behind all of it. He runs everything out of his house down by the beach. Alexander found in Derek his shining prince. Essentially, he used Derek to recruit a slew of insecure frustrated and impressionable kids.”
“If something happens to him things could get very ugly down by the beach.”
