Holiday Central
Holiday Deals and Entertainment: Check out Amazon Video On Demand's Holiday Central, where you'll find big new movies, free movies and TV episodes and holiday favorites -- ready to watch instantly. Come back every Monday for new deals and every Tuesday for new release movies.

Amazon Video On Demand Special Offer
Buy an HDTV, Get $100 in Movies and TV Shows: Purchase an eligible Panasonic HDTV and receive a $100 credit at Amazon Video On Demand. Offer expires December 31, 2009. See details.


Connect with Amazon Video On Demand: Get the latest word on deals, new releases and more: Follow us on Twitter (amazonvideo) and become a Facebook fan of Amazon Video On Demand.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Carlito's Way

Carlito's Way

Video On Demand ~ Al Pacino
4.4 out of 5 stars (149)  $2.99
Mobsters

Mobsters

Video On Demand ~ Christian Slater
3.6 out of 5 stars (37)  $9.49
Zoot Suit

Zoot Suit

Video On Demand ~ Daniel Valdez
4.4 out of 5 stars (29)  $9.99
The River

The River

Video On Demand ~ Mel Gibson
4.0 out of 5 stars (19)  $9.99
In Good Company

In Good Company

Video On Demand ~ Dennis Quaid
3.8 out of 5 stars (135)  $4.99
› Explore similar items
Product Details
Synopsis: Edward James Olmos sets the screen ablaze in this powerful epic about a youth from the streets of East LA who becomes the leader of the Mexican Mafia from behind the gates of Folsom Prison.
Starring: Sal Lopez, Vira Montes
Supporting actors: Roberto Martín Márquez, Dyana Ortelli, Joe Aubel, Rob Garrett, Lance August, Cody Glenn, Don Pugsley, Panchito Gómez, Albert Joe Medina Jr., Alex Solís, Raymond Amezquita, Steve Wilcox, Richard Coca, Javier Castellanos, Richard Lee-Sung, Eric Close, Christian Klemash, Brian Holechek, Rigoberto Jimenez, Edward James Olmos
Directed by: Edward James Olmos
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Romance
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
Release year: 1992
Studio: NBC Universal
ASIN: B001UO94Z2 (Rental) and B001UO9524 (Purchase)
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,356 in Amazon Video On Demand (See Bestsellers in Amazon Video On Demand)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period, play online or download to one location. Details
Purchase rights: No time limits. Play online and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and PC online viewing, Windows PC download, TiVo DVRs, Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link, Roku player, compatible portable video devices. System requirements
Format: Amazon Video on Demand (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD

American Me DVD ~ Raymond Amezquita

4.3 out of 5 stars (56) $8.99
Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: March 13, 1992
  • Production Company: Universal Pictures, YOY, Olmos Productions
  • Filming Locations: Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA | CIW Prison, Chino, California, USA | California Institution for Men - 14901 Central Avenue, Chino, California, USA | East Los Angeles, California, USA | Folsom State Prison - 300 Prison Road, Represa, California, USA | Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall, Los Angeles, California, USA | Los Angeles, California, USA | San Francisco, California, USA
Video Format Details

Online Viewing

PC Download

TiVo box

Portable device
View instantly from any PC or Mac with a broadband connection
Ready to watch in about 50 minutes*
Ready to watch in about 1 hour *
Ready to transfer in about 45 minutes*
* Your download times may vary--estimates shown are for a typical DSL connection (1.5 Mbits/sec). Rental videos cannot be transferred to a portable device.

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed

Carlito's Way: Rise to Power

Carlito's Way: Rise to Power

Video On Demand ~ Jay Hernandez
2.3 out of 5 stars (31)  $2.99
Mobsters

Mobsters

Video On Demand ~ Christian Slater
3.6 out of 5 stars (37)  $9.49
Born on the Fourth of July

Born on the Fourth of July

Video On Demand ~ Tom Cruise
4.2 out of 5 stars (90)  $9.99
In Good Company

In Good Company

Video On Demand ~ Dennis Quaid
3.8 out of 5 stars (135)  $4.99
The River

The River

Video On Demand ~ Mel Gibson
4.0 out of 5 stars (19)  $9.99
› Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

56 Reviews
5 star:
 (38)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (6)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (56 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to reality, April 26, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: American Me [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is some info for anyone who thinks this is just a movie. Welcome to the reality of L.A. gangs. This movie was not just a story made up in someone's head, it's the truth, that is why this movie is so explicit. Jail is never a place where anything is sugar coated and neither is this movie. A big thumbs up to Mister Olmos on the history of The Mexican Mafia. If you don't agree, do the research on the movie characters, it's an eye opener.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting - Factual - Honest, April 11, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: American Me [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The powerful story line combined with the tremendous talent of Olmos & Forsythe brings to the screen the horrible facts of drugs, gangs and life doing HARD TIME. Olmos first directorship adds to this story the emotion he obviously feels and his concern to tell a story that needs to be told in its complete honesty. I know..I've been there & do not wish to go back.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated masterpiece, July 7, 2005
By Volunteer of America (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
  
This review is from: American Me (DVD)
This poignant, exciting, realistic tale of human iniquity and eventual spiritual resurrection evokes, and is mostly equal to, "Once Upon A Time in America". Olmos' directing and acting are both brilliant; in a genre where there's a strong temptation for the actors to ham it up with gang signs and baggy pants, he has inspired real sincerity and genuine emotion. Never for a moment do any of the protagonists seem like they are trying to act cool; it's entirely convincing. The voiceovers - You Ride, Behind Pride, Thinking you can hide; the music - the killing of one of Santana's own accompanied by the desperate "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"; the wealth of expression on the actors' faces - as when Santana learns his mother has died; all add up to create an extraordinary atmosphere. Colors, light, shadows are all beautifully arranged; an especially effective scene being when La Eme and Nuestra Familia file into the prison's cinema, their light and dark blue shirts the only colors. Superb performances by JD, Mundo, Puppet, Little Puppet, Cary; sorry, I don't know all their real names, but they are to be congratulated. Make sure you wait for the closing credits to hear "Ain't No Sunshine".
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
I've always been a fan of crime/prison dramas. I'd seen this movie long ago, but never owned it, so I had to add to my collection.
Published 1 month ago by J. Cortinas

5.0 out of 5 stars Could have been as good as the Godfather...
While this is one of my favorite movies, there were many scenes in it that bothered me. I was very pleased to finally see a good movie about Chicanos growing up in America. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Migzilla

2.0 out of 5 stars Marginal At Best
Maybe I just don't understand. Good movie, but not one that I will watch twice. History was good. Again, good for the history lesson but not a re-watcher.
Published 3 months ago by J. Martin

1.0 out of 5 stars Queer Eye for the Prison Guy
American Me: 3/10: In all fairness I have to admit I was expecting more of a gang picture (albeit a serious one) with Mexican overtones rather than a straightforward prison drama... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Julian Kennedy

5.0 out of 5 stars HD-DVD American Me
Excellent film. Family values but different than normal. Action, romance, the strength of families. Well written, acted, and directed. My kind of film. No weaknesses.
Published 5 months ago by Andrew Tarascio

4.0 out of 5 stars Adult movie
My husband loves this movie. However, I felt as though it was extremely graphic and some parts were hard to watch.
Published 5 months ago by C. Carbajal

4.0 out of 5 stars American Me
A good movie designed to let people know a little about gang life although there was a little too much fictionalization in the story. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dobreff

5.0 out of 5 stars Uncommonly absorbing, introspective movie about cliques, clans
American Me (1992), is an uncommonly absorbing, introspective
movie, not so much dealing with gangs, as dealing with the subject
of one's own identity in face of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Pork Chop

5.0 out of 5 stars movie buff
this movie tells you what real people go thru in life and in prison. honest real way to let people see what happens when you choose what you want in life easy way or hard you... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Johnny Hurt

5.0 out of 5 stars American Me {HD DVD}
I saw this movie when first released on Video and couldn't get it on DVD till now even better on HD DVD with great acting by Edward James Olmos & William Forsythe with a terrific... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Lou Scrobogna

Only search this product's reviews


Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums

Listmania!


Create a Listmania! list

So You'd Like to...


Create a guide
Get photos, fun facts, and filmographies for American Me from The Internet Movie Database, the biggest and best movie and TV site on the planet.
Subscribe to Screening Room to get the latest on Amazon Video On Demand delivered to your e-mail inbox weekly. Sign Up
By placing your order, you agree to our Terms of Use.  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.  Additional taxes may apply.
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Amazon Video On Demand Privacy Statement Amazon Video On Demand Shipping Information Amazon Video On Demand Returns & Exchanges

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.