American History X is remembered as one of the most intense and troubled film productions of the nineties. Behind the gritty final product lies a story of total creative fallout between the director and his studio.
This set covers the details behind that battle. You will see questions about Tony Kaye’s public protests, the role of Edward Norton in the final edit, and the lasting impact this drama had on the film’s reputation.
If you want more movie trivia, look at our pages on troubled film sets, check out cult classics, or browse our directors and auteurs collection.
Which actor played the lead role of Derek Vinyard in 1998’s American History X?
Edward Furlong
Edward Furlong
Stacy Keach
Stacy Keach
Edward Norton
Edward Norton
Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri
Who was the original director of American History X?
David Fincher
David Fincher
Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Spike Lee
Spike Lee
What was one of the primary stylistic disagreements Tony Kaye had with the studio regarding the film’s visual presentation?
He wanted the film shot in black and white.
He wanted the film shot in black and white.
He refused to use special effects.
He refused to use special effects.
He hated the music score.
He hated the music score.
He wanted to star in the lead.
He wanted to star in the lead.
Which studio produced and released American History X?
Miramax
Miramax
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
What drastic action did Tony Kaye take when he felt the studio was limiting his control over the film’s final edit?
He locked the editor out of the studio.
He locked the editor out of the studio.
He took all the credit.
He took all the credit.
He demanded triple the budget.
He demanded triple the budget.
He walked away during pre-production.
He walked away during pre-production.
How did Tony Kaye publicly express his intense dissatisfaction with the studio and his own film during the post-production process?
He attempted to physically destroy the film negatives.
He attempted to physically destroy the film negatives.
He took out several full-page ads in trade publications.
He took out several full-page ads in trade publications.
He shaved his head in protest.
He shaved his head in protest.
He sued the film’s lead actor.
He sued the film’s lead actor.
Whom did Tony Kaye primarily denounce in his full-page advertisements criticizing the studio?
Other directors in Hollywood.
Other directors in Hollywood.
The film’s musical composer.
The film’s musical composer.
Himself.
Himself.
Edward Norton and the producer.
Edward Norton and the producer.
What was the ultimate result of Tony Kaye’s public professional outbursts against the studio?
He received an Oscar nomination.
He received an Oscar nomination.
He was hired for a two-picture deal.
He was hired for a two-picture deal.
He was fired.
He was fired.
He was given lifetime creative control.
He was given lifetime creative control.
Following the director’s departure, who oversaw the final assembly of the movie?
The film was released entirely unedited.
The film was released entirely unedited.
The lead cameraman finished the editing.
The lead cameraman finished the editing.
Edward Norton re-edited the final cut of the film.
Edward Norton re-edited the final cut of the film.
The studio head edited the film.
The studio head edited the film.
Critics and observers frequently claimed that in his re-edit of the film, Edward Norton did what?
He cut himself out of the movie.
He cut himself out of the movie.
He added more fight scenes.
He added more fight scenes.
He significantly increased his own screen time in the final cut.
He significantly increased his own screen time in the final cut.
He added a voiceover narration by another actor.
He added a voiceover narration by another actor.
Despite the controversy surrounding the production, what was the impact of the film on Edward Norton’s career?
He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.
He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.
It ruined his career immediately.
It ruined his career immediately.
He was praised for his directing debut.
He was praised for his directing debut.
The studio banned him from future projects.
The studio banned him from future projects.
What is the general critical legacy of American History X today?
The film is widely considered a powerful, if troubled, cult classic.
The film is widely considered a powerful, if troubled, cult classic.
Edward Furlong became a major studio executive.
Edward Furlong became a major studio executive.
The film became an instant box office flop.
The film became an instant box office flop.
The studio apologized to Tony Kaye.
The studio apologized to Tony Kaye.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the long-term history of American History X?
The film is largely forgotten and rarely discussed today.
The film is largely forgotten and rarely discussed today.
The film received universally positive critical acclaim upon release.
The film received universally positive critical acclaim upon release.
Tony Kaye disowned the final cut of the film.
Tony Kaye disowned the final cut of the film.
Edward Norton was initially the film’s director before Tony Kaye took over.
Edward Norton was initially the film’s director before Tony Kaye took over.
After the controversy surrounding American History X, what type of projects did Tony Kaye continue to direct frequently?
Only independent documentaries.
Only independent documentaries.
Music videos and commercials.
Music videos and commercials.
Only feature films for major studios.
Only feature films for major studios.
High-budget blockbusters exclusively.
High-budget blockbusters exclusively.
Which drastic measure did Tony Kaye attempt after the studio locked the final cut of American History X?
He tried to have his name removed from the film’s credits.
He tried to have his name removed from the film’s credits.
He collaborated with the studio on a promotional tour.
He collaborated with the studio on a promotional tour.
He publicly praised the studio’s decision.
He publicly praised the studio’s decision.
He announced a sequel with a different cast.
He announced a sequel with a different cast.
Which organization rejected Tony Kaye’s request to have his name replaced with “Humpty Dumpty” in the film’s credits?
The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).
The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).
The DGA (Directors Guild of America).
The DGA (Directors Guild of America).
The ADA (Actors and Directors Association).
The ADA (Actors and Directors Association).
The FPA (Film Producers Alliance).
The FPA (Film Producers Alliance).
Approximately how much did Tony Kaye reportedly spend on the series of trade ads attacking the studio?
$500,000.
$500,000.
$1,500,000.
$1,500,000.
$100,000.
$100,000.
A few thousand dollars.
A few thousand dollars.
What was Tony Kaye’s central grievance regarding the studio’s re-edit of his film?
He claimed it was a documentary about his own life.
He claimed it was a documentary about his own life.
He believed the lead actor was a poor fit for the role.
He believed the lead actor was a poor fit for the role.
He felt he had captured a masterpiece they destroyed.
He felt he had captured a masterpiece they destroyed.
He felt it misrepresented the reality of racism in LA.
He felt it misrepresented the reality of racism in LA.
Which of the following is a widely reported aspect of the behind-the-scenes dynamics on American History X?
The studio attempted to turn the film into a romantic comedy.
The studio attempted to turn the film into a romantic comedy.
The film’s title, American History X, was chosen by the studio.
The film’s title, American History X, was chosen by the studio.
Edward Norton was reportedly very hands-on during the entire production, not just the editing phase.
Edward Norton was reportedly very hands-on during the entire production, not just the editing phase.
Tony Kaye directed several sequels to the film.
Tony Kaye directed several sequels to the film.
How did the industry view Tony Kaye’s actions in the years immediately following the American History X release?
He was immediately signed by every major studio in Hollywood.
He was immediately signed by every major studio in Hollywood.
It solidified his reputation as a “difficult” but visionary director.
It solidified his reputation as a “difficult” but visionary director.
He was lauded for his marketing strategy.
He was lauded for his marketing strategy.
It earned him a reputation for being impossible to work with, causing studios to avoid him.
It earned him a reputation for being impossible to work with, causing studios to avoid him.
David McKenna was the individual credited as what on American History X?
The studio head behind the project.
The studio head behind the project.
An assistant editor.
An assistant editor.
A screenplay writer.
A screenplay writer.
A producer of the film.
A producer of the film.
What was the initial box office reception of American History X?
It was immediately acclaimed as one of the best films of the decade.
It was immediately acclaimed as one of the best films of the decade.
It was a sleeper hit that gained appreciation over time.
It was a sleeper hit that gained appreciation over time.
It was never released.
It was never released.
It was a box office failure.
It was a box office failure.
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
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