I have been a great fan of Norton’s work since I first saw him in his breakthrough film of ‘Primal Fear’, the man has incredible acting ability. For the role of Vinyard, Norton transforms his body as a way into the character; by bulking up for the role, Norton was able to convey Derek’s dangerous mind with his fearsome physique, complete with shaved head and giant black swastika tattooed on his chest.

The film takes place in a twenty-four hour period set against the backdrop of Venice Beach. Danny worships his older brother Derek, who has just finished a three-year stint in prison for murdering three black men who were trying to ‘jack’ his car. After Danny turns in a history paper praising Mein Kampf, black school principal Sweeney (Avery Brooks) orders him to write a new paper about his brother’s influence on his life entitled ‘American History X’. Thus we enter the meat of the film, as Danny composes his paper and tells the story, shown in black and white flashbacks, of how Derek came to be the leader of the Venice Beach skinheads and wind up in prison for murder.

When Derek is released from prison he returns home to his mother (Beverly D'Angelo – National Lampoon Vacation series) and siblings who are now living in a small, shabby apartment, and that Danny has now also following in Derek’s footsteps and become involved in the neo-Nazi movement. Derek's own reputation with his former skinheads has been even further enhanced by his crime, but he wants nothing more to do with them and their ideals and is now determined to stop his younger brother following in his footsteps.

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up?

VIDEO
American History X is distributed in Region 4 by Village Roadshow Pictures. Village Roadshow have pretty much got the DVD game down pat now, the majority of their DVD’s sport exceptional transfers, first rate audio and healthy extras. This DVD is no exception.

The transfer is anamorphically framed at the aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and looks fantastic. There is some close up shots early on with Danny in the Principal’s office, the detail, sharpness & clarity of these shots are incredible. The film also makes use of a large number of black & white scenes, these are intentionally made to look grainy and were used for flashbacks, the DVD renders these beautifully. There are no mpeg artifacts or other DVD nasties, the transfer has been rendered just about perfectly, enough said. Oops almost forgot the DVD is presented in the RSDL format, with the layer change occurring at 75:42.

AUDIO
This is not an action movie, the film centers around an excellent script with a powerful story and incredible acting. That said this film would have just as been enjoyable in Dolby 2.0 or can I push it as far as mono..mmmm probably not but I think you’ve got the idea.

I listened to it in the obligatory Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Don’t expect the audio to blow you away, it won’t. However expect it to render clear & intelligible dialogue, give substance to the excellent musical score and immerse you into the film (what more can one ask for).

EXTRAS
Extras are a little bit scarce here. However we are treated to at the very beginning one of my favourite Dolby Digital trailers..’Rain’. Kudos the Village Roadshow for maintaining these very popular trailers on each of their DVD’s.

The disc contains deleted scenes (albeit three of them, which in my opinion did not add anything to the film and were glad they were left out).

Theatrical Trailer (as what you would expect on any disc these days)

Cast & Crew Bios (again as what you would expect on any disc these days)

Scene selection & English sub-titles (would not really call these extras, pretty much par for the course on DVD’s these days).

Overall an excellent film on an excellent DVD. If you have not seen it then you deserve to go and grab it. If you are a fan like I am this is a must have addition to your DVD collection. No excuses.

Danish Finnish

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T43W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Toshiba 2109 Region Free
Receiver: Yamaha RXV995 (DD/DTS)
Speakers:-
     Fronts: Polk Audio RT55
     Centre: Polk Audio CS350
     Rears: Polk Audio AB705's 
     Sub: M&K MX125 

- Reviewed 1st December 2000