Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12543 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-03-10
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 169 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A slow burning, yet entirely gripping, mobster film, American Gangster pits Denzel Washington’s Frank Lucas against Russell Crowe’s law enforcer Richie Roberts. Spread over a necessarily prolonged running time, their story is then brutally, expertly, told.

And while American Gangster isn’t in the league of prime Scorsese and Coppolla classics (such as Goodfellas and The Godfather), it’s the nearest we’ve come in quite some time to something of that ilk. It’s all based on a true story, which does mean you need to forgive it some of its obvious narrative conventions, yet this also lends it a gravitas that the film eagerly makes the most of.

It’s great too to see British director Ridley Scott tackling meatier material again. This is the man, after all, who gave us Blade Runner, Alien and Gladiator, and he duly delivers with American Gangster. His finest work it isn’t, but an engrossing, explosive and hard-as-nails drama it absolutely is.

What’s more, American Gangster is powered by two of the finest leading men working in Hollywood right now, and it’s terrific to see Washington and Crowe on top form here. And while in cinematic terms it’s hardly a film that treads new ground, it’s nonetheless a proper, grown-up and engrossing movie, and a very good one at that. --Jon Foster

Special Features
Deleted Scenes: 9 mins 05 secs Crime War Productions: 20 mins 52 secs Rhythm of the Street: Sound, Music and editings: 15 mins 50 secs Tru Blu The Real Story: 21 mins 19 secs Killer Threads: Costumes: 11 mins 15 secs Into The Arena Ali Vs. Frazier: 8 mins 48 secs Case File: Setting Up The Take Down: 7 mins 42 secs Case File: File Script Meeting: 8 mins 10 secs Heroin Test Show and Tell: 8 mins 54 secs

Synopsis
AMERICAN GANGSTER is based on a true story and set in 1968 Harlem, where Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is a driver for Bumpy Johnson, one of the top figures in the city's criminal world. When Bumpy dies, Lucas swoops in, taking over his predecessor's empire and expanding it over the next few years with his sale of a particularly potent brand of heroin. Meanwhile, New Jersey cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) begins to investigate the New York drug world and discovers that there's a new power in town.
Thanks to screenwriter Steve Zaillian, as well as Washington and Crowe, AMERICAN GANGSTER creates a convincing portrait of two men who are neither entirely good nor entirely bad. Washington plays Lucas as a man who buys his mother a palatial home but doesn't hesitate to beat his brother's head against a window. Crowe's Roberts may turn in a million-dollar find, but he cheats on his wife. Sadly, they only meet onscreen toward the end of the film, but the minimal interaction between the two Oscar winners is fascinating. Even though the focus is on Lucas and Roberts, AMERICAN GANGSTER is filled with a wealth of strong characters played by talented actors, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, John Hawkes, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Carla Gugino, Ruby Dee, Joe Morton, and rappers T.I. and RZA. It's an epic film, with a run time of over two and a half hours, but it's time well spent. Fans of classic crime films such as THE GODFATHER, SERPICO, and CARLITO'S WAY will certainly be pleased by this addition to the genre.

Customer Reviews

Best gangster movie since The Departed not so long ago!
Two great gangster films in one year weren't we extra lucky. This is Ridley Scott's best film since Gladiator and it has his eye for detail like in all his films. Russel Crowe and Denzel Washington are both outstanding. Ever since Alien and Blade Runner I have always look forward to seeing Ridley Scott films alot.

SUPERB EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE, DENZEL AT HIS BEST 6 STARS
Ladies and gentlemen if you are a fan of gangster movies, this is a must watch. I didn't believe it was possible but it has happened; A film has finally arrived, which can realistically compared to Scarface, The Godfather, Casino etc.
This high budget and beutifully directed film has an amazing story line which catches you from start to finish, Denzel Washington the main character in the movie is perfectly suited to the Dominating gangster role which he plays.
This film really is in another league compared to the current day gangster films, it has class style and a gripping story line, well well worth the money. If you have not had the luxury of seeing this superb film at the cinema, then I woud reccommend that you buy this great film.