MEDIA ADVISORY

AMERICAN GANGSTER

As Never Before Seen!
The Original Theatrical Film AND
The Unrated Extended Edition 

AVAILABLE ON DVD & HD DVD February 19, 2008
FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

OVERVIEW: Inspired by a true story, American Gangster, the grippingly intense crime-thriller acclaimed by critics and audiences as one of the best films of 2007, will be available in two versions on the exclusive American Gangster 2-Disc Unrated Extended Edition DVD that includes both an unrated, extended movie with over 18 additional minutes and an alternate ending PLUS the original theatrical film.   Academy Award® winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe portray one Harlem’s most notorious crime bosses and the outcast cop who pursues him, respectively, ultimately leading to a climactic confrontation that alters the destiny of an entire generation in New York City.  Directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Brian Grazer and Scott, American Gangster boasts an all-star cast including Josh Brolin, Ruby Dee, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Chiwetel Ejiofor, Armand Assante, Carla Gugino, and popular rap artists Common, RZA and Tip “T.I.” Harris.

In addition, the American Gangster  3-Disc Collector’s Edition, available for a limited time only, includes over  five hours of bonus features, a 32-page collectible book and a downloadable digital copy of the unrated, extended film.  Also available on February 19 is Gangsters: The Ultimate Film Collection, a nine-disc set containing four of Hollywood’s most iconic gangster films including American Gangster, Scarface, Casino and Carlito’s Way.

CONTENT BREAKDOWN / BONUS FEATURES: 
2-Disc Unrated Extended Edition
Disc 1

• Unrated Extended Version – 18 additional minutes of never-before-seen footage and an alternate ending
• Original Theatrical Version Including Commentary with Director Ridley Scott and Writer Steven Zaillian

Disc 2

• Deleted Scenes- Including an alternate opening

• Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster
• Tru Blu: The Real Story: An in-depth look at the true story that inspired the movie and the long road to developing the film.  Featuring interviews with the former real-life Harlem crime boss Frank Lucas and now retired detective Richie Roberts
• Killer Threads: A look at how the world of the 1970’s was brought back to life
• Crime War: Follow production from the streets of NY to the jungles of Thailand
• Rhythm of the Streets: Look into the film’s music, featuring tracks such as “Do You Feel Me” performed by Anthony Hamilton
• Into the Arena: Ali vs. Frazier: Setting up the infamous Ali-Frazier fight

• Case Files
• Setting Up the Takedown- Be on the set as Ridley Scott directs the climactic drug bust and watch this master director at work
• Script Meeting: A look into the production office where director Ridley Scott, writer Steven Zaillian, and detective Richie Roberts discuss the script and break down of the scenes. 
• Drug Test: Ridley Scott receives information on the preparation of heroin from a New York detective

3-Disc Collector’s Edition
Includes Above Bonus Features PLUS

• Hip Hop Infusion- Featuring popular rap artists Common and Tip “T.I.” Harris discussing their roles
• Music Videos
• Do You Feel Me (Remix) Performed by Anthony Hamilton featuring Ghostface Killah
• Blue Magic From Jay-Z’s album “American Gangster”

• BET Special- The Making of American Gangster
• Dateline NBC: American Gangster First Look
• Digital Copy of the Unrated Extended Movie For Your PC

SYNOPSIS:  Academy Award® winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe team with director Ridley Scott (Gladiator) in this powerful epic story.  Armed with ruthless, streetwise tactics and a paradoxically strict sense of honor, crime boss Frank Lucas (Washington) rules Harlem’s chaotic drug underworld.  When outcast cop Richie Roberts (Crowe) sets out to bring down Lucas’s multimillion-dollar empire, both men are plunged into a legendary confrontation. 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: 2-Disc Unrated Extended Edition

Street Date:  February 19, 2008
Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved
Price:  $29.98 SRP
Running Time: 2 Hour 38 Minutes
Layers:  Dual Layers
Aspect Ratio:  Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1, 1.311:1 Full Frame
Rating: R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality
Languages/Subtitles:  English, Spanish, French
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

3-Disc Unrated Extended Edition
Street Date: February 19, 2008
Price: $34.98 SRP

Gangsters: The Ultimate Film Collection
Street Date: February 19, 2008
Price: $69.98 SRP

CAST AND FILMMAKERS
Cast: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, Armand Assante, John Ortiz, John Hawkes, RZA, Lymari Nadal, Yul Vasquez, Ruby Dee, Idris Elba, Carla Gugino, Joe Morton, Common, Tip “T.I.” Harris.  
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Produced By:  Brian Grazer
Written By: Steven Zaillian
Executive Producers: Nicholas Pilleggi, Steven Zaillian, Branko Lustig, Jim Whitaker, Michael Costigan
Director of Photography: Harris Savides
Editor: Petro Scalia
Production Designer: Arthur Max
Costume Designer: Janty Yates
Co-Producer: Jonathan Filley
Music By: Marc Streitenfeld

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi. 

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Special Ops Media
Laurie Minsky
Account Manager
(718) 250-9130 x442
laurie@specialopsmedia.com