The director of one of the most controversial movies of the 1990s is still hoping to make a director’s cut over 25 years after the film’s debut. The 1990s was an exciting time for cinema, and major studios suddenly found themselves challenged by small-but-powerful production houses that consistently delivered exciting films.

Though the decade delivered plenty of straightforward blockbusters, there were also numerous subversive and challenging movies that saw a wide release. The decade is still beloved for its wide ᴀssortment of cinematic offerings, even if the filmmakers behind those classics aren’t entirely satisfied with the finished product, or the process of making the movie.

Nearly 27 years after the controversial movie first hit theaters, director Tony Kaye is still holding out hope for a director’s cut of 1998’s American History X. The celebrated filmmaker told People that he thinks it’s “sad that it’s become as important as it’s become“, tying the film’s themes about racism into the sphere of modern politics.

However, Kaye admitted that he’s “still thinking about American History X,” but not for a good reason. Dissatisfied with the process of working with New Line Cinema to produce the film, Kaye noted that he was “subservient to the reality of the ticking clock, the budget, producers and other things that exist in the real world.”

What Tony Kaye’s Comments Mean For American History X’s Legacy

The Film Is Still A Powerful Statement All These Years Later

The possibility of a director’s cut of American History X is unknown, but Kaye’s comments about the movie still ring true. The movie was a powerful statement back in 1998, and it hasn’t lost any of its importance. Kay is still clearly pᴀssionate about the movie, but that isn’t unusual for any director who is invested in their work.

He may be unhappy with the way he was treated in the process of making the film, but American History X‘s success is a sign that something went right during the process. Many directors have the urge to tinker with their older works, but American History X isn’t a movie that’s necessarily first in line to need a recut.

Our Take On Kaye’s Comments About American History X

The Subversive ’90s Gem Doesn’t Need A New Cut

In his interview, Tony Kaye didn’t get into specifics about what he would change for a director’s cut of American History X. However, I don’t think the movie needs any changes, and is brilliant as it is. Most likely, there were scenes that needed to be cut for narrative clarity and time, and those kinds of cuts aren’t always bad.

The ’90s classic also doesn’t need to be updated, since the message behind the story is just as poignant now as it was back then. It’s unfortunate that Kaye was unhappy with the process of making the film, but it didn’t impact the final product. Many movies get director’s cuts, but only a select few actually need them.

Source: People