...one of the best films of 2007.
This 2-disc set comes with both the theatrical version of the film and an unrated, extended cut that´s nearly twenty minutes longer. I couldn´t tell you every scene that was added. There is a brief flashback from Lucas about his time with Bumpy Johnson that wasn´t in the theatrical cut. Most significantly, the extended version adds in an epilogue with Lucas and Roberts, who became friends in real life. I thought the theatrical ending capped off the film in a poignant manner and the new ending feels unnecessary.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The transfer is really clean, but "American Gangster" isn´t a bright and colorful film. The look is gritty and the colors are muted. Much like he did with "Zodiac", cinematographer Harris Savides does a fantastic job in capturing the atmosphere of the era.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 with an optional French dubbed language track also in 5.1. The dialogue comes in crisp and clear and so does the film´s score and soundtrack.
EXTRAS:
Disc 1 features an audio commentary track with director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Steve Zaillian. The two were recorded separately and edited together. As such, the two participants sometimes repeat information the other just mentioned. Zaillian discusses writing the script along with events that really did happen and others that were fictionalized. Scott takes up the majority of the track. He´s a bit dry in his delivery, but he´s got a lot to talk about. He describes technical stuff about shooting the picture, working with the actors, how the project came together, locations, and even his and Denzel´s love of Cuban cigars.
The rest of the extras can be found on Disc 2 with the biggest being an in-depth, making-of documentary called Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster. The documentary is split into five chapters which can be played together or separately.
The first chapter is "Tru Blu: The Real Story" (21:20) which features interviews with the cast and crew along with the real Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts. This initial segment goes into the development of the project, the real life events that the film was based on, and everyone´s impressions upon meeting each other.
"Killer Threads: Costumes" (11:18) focuses on costume designer Janty Yates. She and the cast and crew discuss faithfully capturing the fashion of the 70´s. The actors come to the agreement that clothes really do make the man.
"Crime War: Production" (20:54) focuses on the actual shooting of the picture and the on-location filming that was done.
"Into the Arena: Ali vs. Frazier" (8:15) takes a look at recreating the famous Ali-Frazier fight at Madison Square Garden. The filmmakers went all out on the details. They looked at photos and got extras to look and dress like the actual crowd as well as hiring lookalikes of the celebrities in attendance.
"Rhythm of the Street: Sound, Music, and Editing" (15:53) finishes off the documentary with a look at putting together the soundtrack and score as well as cutting the picture.
Case Files are three video diaries that make us the fly on the wall.
"Script Meeting" (8:13) puts us into the board room with Ridley Scott and Richie Roberts on a conference call with Steve Zaillian as they discuss the scripts and revisions.
"Heroin Test Show & Tell" (8:57) follows Scott as he meets with technical advisors who show him the ins and outs of testing heroin purity.
"Setting Up the Takedown" (7:45) focuses on the filming of the movie´s climax.
Rounding out the extras is a pair of deleted scenes that include an alternate opening and a scene depicting Frank & Eva´s wedding.
A 3-Disc Collector´s Edition which contains another disc of extras and a collectible booklet is also available.
FILM VALUE:
I selected "American Gangster" as my top for DVD Town´s year end list. At the time, there were several more pictures that I hadn´t had a chance to see yet. One of them was "There Will Be Blood" which has since become my new pick for best film of 2007. That´s not a knock against "American Gangster"; it took one amazing movie to replace it in the top slot. "Gangster" is still one of the best films of 2007. A dark crime film that´s rich and absorbing in every scene.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The transfer is really clean, but "American Gangster" isn´t a bright and colorful film. The look is gritty and the colors are muted. Much like he did with "Zodiac", cinematographer Harris Savides does a fantastic job in capturing the atmosphere of the era.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 with an optional French dubbed language track also in 5.1. The dialogue comes in crisp and clear and so does the film´s score and soundtrack.
EXTRAS:
Disc 1 features an audio commentary track with director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Steve Zaillian. The two were recorded separately and edited together. As such, the two participants sometimes repeat information the other just mentioned. Zaillian discusses writing the script along with events that really did happen and others that were fictionalized. Scott takes up the majority of the track. He´s a bit dry in his delivery, but he´s got a lot to talk about. He describes technical stuff about shooting the picture, working with the actors, how the project came together, locations, and even his and Denzel´s love of Cuban cigars.
The rest of the extras can be found on Disc 2 with the biggest being an in-depth, making-of documentary called Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster. The documentary is split into five chapters which can be played together or separately.
The first chapter is "Tru Blu: The Real Story" (21:20) which features interviews with the cast and crew along with the real Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts. This initial segment goes into the development of the project, the real life events that the film was based on, and everyone´s impressions upon meeting each other.
"Killer Threads: Costumes" (11:18) focuses on costume designer Janty Yates. She and the cast and crew discuss faithfully capturing the fashion of the 70´s. The actors come to the agreement that clothes really do make the man.
"Crime War: Production" (20:54) focuses on the actual shooting of the picture and the on-location filming that was done.
"Into the Arena: Ali vs. Frazier" (8:15) takes a look at recreating the famous Ali-Frazier fight at Madison Square Garden. The filmmakers went all out on the details. They looked at photos and got extras to look and dress like the actual crowd as well as hiring lookalikes of the celebrities in attendance.
"Rhythm of the Street: Sound, Music, and Editing" (15:53) finishes off the documentary with a look at putting together the soundtrack and score as well as cutting the picture.
Case Files are three video diaries that make us the fly on the wall.
"Script Meeting" (8:13) puts us into the board room with Ridley Scott and Richie Roberts on a conference call with Steve Zaillian as they discuss the scripts and revisions.
"Heroin Test Show & Tell" (8:57) follows Scott as he meets with technical advisors who show him the ins and outs of testing heroin purity.
"Setting Up the Takedown" (7:45) focuses on the filming of the movie´s climax.
Rounding out the extras is a pair of deleted scenes that include an alternate opening and a scene depicting Frank & Eva´s wedding.
A 3-Disc Collector´s Edition which contains another disc of extras and a collectible booklet is also available.
FILM VALUE:
I selected "American Gangster" as my top for DVD Town´s year end list. At the time, there were several more pictures that I hadn´t had a chance to see yet. One of them was "There Will Be Blood" which has since become my new pick for best film of 2007. That´s not a knock against "American Gangster"; it took one amazing movie to replace it in the top slot. "Gangster" is still one of the best films of 2007. A dark crime film that´s rich and absorbing in every scene.
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