WASHINGTON - A controversial filmmaker who has brought American culture to the silver screen headed back to school Wednesday night. Oliver Stone spoke with students at American University as part of a unique history class: Oliver Stone's America.

Stone told students, "Pay attention. Rethink everything for yourself. There's alternative versions of history."

College junior David Loudoun said about the guest lecture," It's exciting. It's something you don't get to see everyday, and something you should take advantage of while you are here."

Love him or hate him, Stone's movies get people talking, like his recent release "W" about the former president's time in office.

The course covers recent American history from JFK, the Vietnam War, Wall Street's high-rolling 80's to today. All are subjects of films by Stone.

"I just like seeing what he does, what he thinks, how he approaches things and what's changed for him." shared graduate student Steve Erdman.

Erdman, an aspiring movie maker, couldn't wait to pick Stone's brain.

"It's such a resource to be able to talk with someone like Oliver Stone, ask him specific questions about his movies or how he got to where he is," said Erdman. "It's an unbelievable opportunity."

As for Stone, he said, "I've been doing it for 13 years. It's good you get feedback, you talk to young people. What else is life, but a circulation of blood?"

Hopefully that statement made more sense to the students. This was their last class before their final and who better to hear from than the man the class is named after.

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