Skinheads USA: Soldiers of the Race War

This documentary takes a very honest and unflinching look at modern-day racism is suburban America, particularly how people like Bill Riccio take advantage of kids who have nowhere else to turn. The film looks at the inner workings of Riccio's home and group of neo-Nazis, from recruitment of new members to meetings of the KKK. In this setting, Bill Riccio and his followers recruit teens who come from bad home situations or have become homeless; they need a place to stay and someone to take care of them, but unfortunately, they end up with a racist extremist. Like a non-fiction "American History X," the directors were able to document the transition of several 'normal' teens into followers of the Aryan Youth Nation. The documentary filmmakers were allowed to view and tape events such as teens celebrating the birthday of Hitler and anti-minority marches taking place in minority neighborhoods. It can be difficult to endure, since many things in the film fall into the category of "Something I would never do," yet watching it is like seeing a train wreck; chilling and disturbing, but you just can't turn away from it. This is an informative and truly disturbing experience.

"Skinheads" is a movie about good 'ole boys, who were never meaning no harm. Beats all you ever saw, they've been in trouble with the law since the day they was born. Straightening the racial curves, flattening the social hills, someday the mountain might get 'em but the law never will. They're just making their way, the only way they know how. But that's just a little bit more than the law will allow. Just the good 'ole boys, wouldn't change if they could. Fighting minorities like true modern day...Hitlers.

I very highly recommend this movie, because it sheds light upon a type of life that many cant see. It's a life full of burning crosses and the worship a long-dead political leader. I - of course - speak of the life of men with side burns. Jason Preistly depicted the side-burned male as a handsome, desirable person. but this movie shows these animals for what they are; hateful, flag-burning racists.

I was impressed by the non-judgmental view of Skinheads, as director Shari Cookson exposes the hatred you can find everywhere in the U.S. by simply turning on the cameras and letting these people reveal themselves to us. I'm sure some viewers will see this and think the opposite that I did about the people this exposes. There's a scene with people discussing different viewpoints on the streets of a city that I think illustrates the way this should be handled in America: open, non-violent discourse where each side listens to the other - I believe this is called "communication".

A very well done and timely documentary, and just after filming, the skinheads shown here were arrested on weapons violation charges, which is another method the law has of getting rid of "undesirables" who otherwise may not be committing any known crimes.

Here are the correct credits , been trying to get them to fix for years. Taken from the credits at the end of the documentary.

Producer: Shari Cookson Director: Shari Cookson Co-producer: Marianne Norton Editor: Kate Amend Director of Photography: Wayne De La Roche Location Sound Mixer: John McCormick Assistant Editor: Elizabeth Mercado Sound Editor: Elizabeth Mercado Camera Assistants: Tracy Litwin, Mike Otano Additional Camera: John Hazard, Charlton McMillian, Bill Mills Assistant Sound Editor: John M. Malm Additional Sound: Shirley Libbiy Recording Mixer: Rick Dior Negative Conforming: Elliott Gamson Colorist: Jane Maiskaya Online Editor: Charles Marsella Titles: Pittard Sullivan Fitzgerald Production Associate: John Hathaway Production Assistant: David Bagley Business Affairs: Cynthia Shapiro

This documentary masterfully explores the world of Skinheads and the Klan in underground America. It is both entertaining and informative. I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to gain perspective on the topic of racial hatred.