# American Gangster

> 2007 film by Ridley Scott

**Wikidata**: [Q270351](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q270351)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gangster_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-gangster

## Summary
*American Gangster* is a 2007 crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott, based on the true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug lord in the 1970s. The film stars Denzel Washington as Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, the detective who brings him down, and is known for its gritty portrayal of organized crime and law enforcement.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: Premiered on October 19, 2007, with a wide release on November 15, 2007.
- **Director**: Ridley Scott, an acclaimed English filmmaker known for *Alien*, *Blade Runner*, and *Gladiator*.
- **Genre**: Crime film, gangster film, drama film, historical film, and thriller film.
- **Production Companies**: Imagine Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, and Relativity Media.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Box Office**: Grossed approximately $266.5 million worldwide.
- **Runtime**: 158 minutes.
- **IMDb Rating**: 7.8/10.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 81%.
- **Metacritic Score**: 76/100.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424 (film), Q645928 (crime film), Q113485322 (gangster film), Q369747 (drama film), Q116514801 (historical film), Q17013749 (thriller film).
- **Sitelink Count**: 54 Wikipedia language editions.
- **Awards**: Nominated for multiple awards, including two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actress for Ruby Dee and Best Art Direction).

## FAQs
**What is *American Gangster* about?**
*American Gangster* is a crime drama based on the true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug lord who smuggled heroin into the U.S. using the coffins of deceased American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The film follows his rise and eventual downfall at the hands of detective Richie Roberts.

**Who directed *American Gangster*?**
The film was directed by Ridley Scott, a renowned English filmmaker known for his work in science fiction, historical drama, and thriller genres. Scott is also the founder of Scott Free Productions, one of the film's production companies.

**What genres does *American Gangster* belong to?**
The film spans multiple genres, including crime film, gangster film, drama film, historical film, and thriller film. This blend of genres contributes to its intense and suspenseful narrative.

**Which production companies were involved in *American Gangster*?**
The film was produced by Imagine Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, and Relativity Media. Imagine Entertainment is an American film and television production company, while Scott Free Productions is a British company founded by Ridley Scott.

**How was *American Gangster* received by critics?**
The film received generally positive reviews, with an IMDb rating of 7.8/10, an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 76/100 score on Metacritic. It was praised for its performances, direction, and authentic portrayal of the 1970s crime scene.

**What awards did *American Gangster* receive?**
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Ruby Dee and Best Art Direction. It also received nominations and awards from other organizations, including the BAFTA Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

## Why It Matters
*American Gangster* is significant for its realistic and gritty portrayal of the drug trade and law enforcement in 1970s America. The film sheds light on the complex dynamics between crime and justice, offering a nuanced perspective on the moral ambiguities of both sides. Its historical setting and basis in true events provide a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences interested in crime dramas and real-life stories. Additionally, the film's success contributed to the careers of its director, Ridley Scott, and its lead actors, Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, further cementing their statuses as prominent figures in the film industry.

## Notable For
- **Based on a True Story**: The film is inspired by the real-life story of Frank Lucas, a notorious Harlem drug lord.
- **Acclaimed Director**: Directed by Ridley Scott, a knighted filmmaker known for his influential work in multiple genres.
- **Star-Studded Cast**: Features performances by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, both of whom are Academy Award-winning actors.
- **Multiple Genres**: Blends elements of crime, gangster, drama, historical, and thriller films.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with high ratings on major review platforms.
- **Award Nominations**: Nominated for two Academy Awards, among other accolades.
- **High Box Office Gross**: Earned approximately $266.5 million worldwide, making it a commercial success.
- **Production Companies**: Involved major production companies like Imagine Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, and Relativity Media.
- **Cultural Impact**: Contributed to the public's understanding of the drug trade and law enforcement in the 1970s.

## Body

### Overview and Plot
*American Gangster* is a 2007 crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott. The film is based on the true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug lord who rose to power in the 1970s by smuggling heroin into the United States using the coffins of deceased American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. The film follows Lucas's rise to power and his eventual downfall at the hands of detective Richie Roberts, who is determined to bring him to justice.

### Production and Release
The film was produced by Imagine Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, and Relativity Media. Imagine Entertainment is an American film and television production company founded in 1985, while Scott Free Productions is a British company founded by Ridley Scott in 1980. Relativity Media, an American media company, was also involved in the production. The film premiered on October 19, 2007, and was widely released on November 15, 2007.

### Cast and Crew
*American Gangster* stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts. The film also features performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, Ted Levine, Roger Guenveur Smith, John Hawkes, and Ruby Dee. Ridley Scott directed the film, with Steven Zaillian writing the screenplay based on a story by Mark Jacobson.

### Reception and Awards
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 7.8/10, while Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 81% score, and Metacritic rates it 76/100. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Ruby Dee and Best Art Direction. It also received nominations from the BAFTA Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and other organizations.

### Genre and Themes
*American Gangster* is classified under multiple genres, including crime film, gangster film, drama film, historical film, and thriller film. The film explores themes of power, corruption, and the moral ambiguities of crime and law enforcement. Its historical setting and basis in true events provide a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences interested in crime dramas and real-life stories.

### Box Office Performance
The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately $266.5 million worldwide. This financial success contributed to the careers of its director and lead actors, further cementing their statuses as prominent figures in the film industry.

### Production Companies
The film involved major production companies, each with its own history and contributions to the film industry. Imagine Entertainment, founded in 1985, is known for producing a wide range of films and television shows. Scott Free Productions, founded by Ridley Scott in 1980, has been instrumental in the production of his own films as well as projects by other filmmakers. Relativity Media, founded in 2004, is an American media company that has produced and distributed numerous films and television shows.

### Director: Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott is an English filmmaker born in 1937, renowned for his work as a director and producer across a wide spectrum of genres, including science fiction, historical drama, and thriller. He is the creative force behind landmark films such as *Alien*, *Blade Runner*, and *Gladiator*, and is the founder of the production company Scott Free Productions. Knighted for his contributions to the British film industry, he has also been inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

### Cultural Impact
*American Gangster* contributed to the public's understanding of the drug trade and law enforcement in the 1970s. The film's realistic and gritty portrayal of these themes resonated with audiences and critics alike, making it a significant entry in the crime drama genre. Its success also highlighted the talents of its director and cast, further solidifying their reputations in the film industry.

### Related Entities
The film is connected to various entities, including its production companies, director, and cast. These connections provide a broader context for understanding the film's production, reception, and cultural impact. The film's involvement with major production companies and acclaimed director Ridley Scott underscores its significance in the film industry.

## References

1. IMDb
2. FilmAffinity
3. [Source](http://www.moviemistakes.com/film7050)
4. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/amerykanski-gangster)
5. AlloCiné
6. Metacritic
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765429/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. American Gangster. Rotten Tomatoes
11. Filmweb
12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765429/releaseinfo)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Box Office Mojo
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/american-gangster/)
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18. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/american-gangster-sbs-versie/)
19. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
20. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
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22. Online-Filmdatenbank
23. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=29312)
24. ClassInd database
25. [Source](https://jmkextern.bmb.gv.at/app/detail.aspx?FILID=14096)
26. Bechdel Test Movie List
27. mymovies.it
28. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/952A-A429-E3A6-EEC3-9B5D-K)
29. Danish Film Database
30. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/American_Gangster-ZWKAD8)
31. TheTVDB
32. Trakt.tv
33. FilmVandaag.nl