Product Details

• Actors: Alex Alonso, Chico Brown, Bernard Parks, Aqeela Sherrills, Maxine Waters
• Producers: Nelson George, Chris Mortensen, Frank Sinton, Henry Schipper, Lauren Feldman
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: October 23, 2007
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000TGJ8EY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,672 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "American Gangster - The Complete First Season" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A fascinating, hypnotic documentary series, American Gangster investigates the lives of African-American druglords, thieves, and gang leaders. The most compelling story is probably that of Stanley "Tookie" Williams, who co-founded the Crips, counseled at-risk youth, appeared on The Gong Show as a bodybuilder, had a mental breakdown from drug use, had a social awakening in prison, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end gang warfare, before finally being executed for multiple murders. But American Gangster also uses his story to delve into how the cultural vacuum created by the collapse of the civil rights movement led to the rise of gangs--just as its episodes on drug lords like the Chamber Brothers and Leroy "Nicky" Barnes (who appeared on the cover of a Sunday New York Times Magazine next to the headline "Mr. Untouchable") explore the history of heroin and cocaine trafficking. Narrated by the authoritative voice of Ving Rhames (Rosewood, Dawn of the Dead), the show balances salacious details (the women who sorted "Freeway" Ricky Ross's cocaine did so topless, so that they couldn't steal any) and sharp sociological observations. The life of Ross, whose blocked aspirations as a tennis player led to a wildly successful drug empire, intersects with the Iran-Contra scandals of the Reagan Administration. The episode about jewel thieves Dino and Troy Smith, who went in for one last score after going straight for a while, plays out like a topnotch thriller, while the life of Lorenzo "Fat Cat" Nichols seems even more of a sad waste than these other ambitious, intelligent, and ruthless men whose talents found no place in the American mainstream. American Gangster doesn't forgive anyone's crimes, but its breadth of vision demonstrates the social forces that make crime seem inevitable. The result is compulsive and enlightening viewing. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

AMERICAN GANGSTER is BET’s critically acclaimed, highly rated crime docu-series that explores the historical, socio-economic and political context surrounding the rise and fall of 9 notorious African-American criminal minds. These are not just your two-bit hustlers…One modeled his organization after the management structure of General Motors. Another studied gemology to be well versed and blend in among an elite audience of jewelers and high end collectors. Another was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature for children’s books before he was eventually executed. What was the catalyst for their life of crime? How does their story begin and end? This groundbreaking series digs deeper to answer these and other poignant questions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TWO THUMBS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, October 25, 2007

By	Robert Gonzalez "Bouncer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

american gangster gives you the insight of real american gangsters i highly recommend to anyone who likes gangster movies..

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Gangster is GANGSTA!, January 12, 2008

By	M. Hunt "Huntdaddy" (South Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't wait for the next season to be available. This series features interesting and poignant, yet tragic stories of the great rise and fall of African American gangsters. These cautionary tales are entertaining, educational, funny, shocking, and sad all at the same time. American Gangster is a great new perspective on the bastardized American Dream that so many African American males fall prey to. Check it out, you won't be disappointed...and as Fat Albert used to say, you might learn something along the way! 5 stars!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible and detail, November 3, 2007

By	[e-mail] "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

without a doubt this is the most important Program of Original concept and material that BET has put on there network in a long time where i gotta watch every episode every wednesday. so many compelling figures that are featured. all of the stories and Men that have been Profiled have a interesting story. there is a balance on each story told.

Ving Rhames is the modern day James Earl Jones/Morgan Freeman on the Narrative side. very detailed and compelling.