He directed ‘American History X’ but no one wants to work with him again and his redemption story is yet to be written
From directing a cult classic to Hollywood’s blacklist.
In 1998, ‘American History X’ premiered to critical acclaim, largely due to Edward Norton’s powerful performance as a violent white supremacist seeking redemption. However, the film’s journey to the big screen was as turbulent as its plot, marked by a bitter conflict between its director, Tony Kaye, the studio New Line Cinema, and Norton himself.
The fallout didn’t just affect the film’s release, it destroyed Kaye’s promising career before it could truly take off.
A visionary director with a troubled reputation
Tony Kaye, a British filmmaker known for his advertising and music video work, was considered a bold but risky choice to direct ‘American History X’. His artistic flair had earned him 23 British Design and Art Direction awards, a Grammy for Johnny Cash’s God’s Gonna Cut You Down, and widespread recognition for his stylized, visually striking campaigns.
Despite his unconventional approach, Kaye seemed poised for a successful transition to cinema. However, from the very first day of filming, warning signs emerged. Crew members described his behavior as erratic, with bizarre requests, including hours of improvised footage.
While he completed filming on schedule, the real battle began in the editing room.
The fight over the final cut
Kaye’s original cut of ‘American History X’ ran 95 minutes, presenting a raw, fragmented vision that offered no redemption, only a bleak portrayal of violence and hatred.
Spoiler Alert: Major plot details ahead.
In the theatrical version, Danny, the protagonist’s younger brother, is shot at school, dying in Derek’s arms. The film closes with Danny’s essay, quoting Abraham Lincoln:
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may strain, it must not break our bonds of affection.”
However, in Kaye’s cut, Derek shaves his head again, smiling at his reflection: the same chilling grin he had when first arrested. His redemption arc is erased, replaced by an endless cycle of hatred and revenge.
Edward Norton takes control
For Edward Norton, ‘American History X’ was a career-defining opportunity. Already an Oscar nominee for ‘Primal Fear’, he saw the film as his breakthrough into stardom.
However, Norton’s perfectionism and tendency to interfere with directors clashed violently with Kaye. Their conflict escalated when Norton, backed by New Line Cinema, took control of the editing process.
With Jerry Greenberg, the Oscar-winning editor of Apocalypse Now, Norton restructured the film, extending its runtime to 119 minutes. His version:
- Expanded Derek’s prison transformation, making it the core of his redemption arc.
- Shifted focus to Norton’s character, ensuring he remained the central figure.
- Removed Kaye’s bleak ending, replacing it with a more hopeful conclusion.
Kaye saw this as a betrayal of his artistic vision, and his reaction was extreme.
Kaye’s infamous meltdown
Furious, Kaye launched a series of bizarre protests, including:
- Punching a hole in a wall to avoid hitting Norton.
- Demanding to be treated like Stanley Kubrick, despite being a first-time director.
- Trying to remove his name from the film, requesting credit as “Humpty Dumpty.”
- Bringing a priest, a rabbi, and a Buddhist monk to a meeting with producers.
- Spending $100,000 on full-page ads in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, publicly attacking Norton, the studio, and Hollywood itself.
Despite his efforts, the film was released with his name intact.
The fallout
Kaye sued New Line Cinema and the Directors Guild for $200 million, claiming they had damaged his reputation and violated his creative control. The lawsuit was dismissed, and ‘American History X’ premiered in October 1998 with Norton’s cut.
The film received positive reviews, earning Norton an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and cementing its status as a modern classic.
For Tony Kaye, however, the damage was irreversible. His unpredictable behavior led to Hollywood blacklisting him for years.
His next film, ‘Lake of Fire’ (2006), was critically acclaimed, but he never regained the influence he once had.
A possible redemption?
In later interviews, Kaye admitted:
“I was, it has to be said, a spectacular pain in the ass.”
However, his redemption story may still be unfolding. In 2024, he premiered ‘The Trainer’ at the Rome Film Festival, with a Tribeca screening scheduled for June.
His upcoming project, ‘African History Y’, starring Djimon Hounsou, could finally bring him back into the spotlight.
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