From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: 'American Gangster' as Never Before Seen!

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: '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

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- 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(R) winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe portray one of 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(R) 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    Selection Number: 61032280    Price:  $29.98 SRP    Running Time: 2 Hour 38 Minutes    Layers:  Dual Layers    Aspect Ratio:  Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1    Rating: R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and    sexuality    Languages/Subtitles:  English SDH, 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 Pileggi, Steven Zaillian, Branko Lustig,    Jim Whitaker, Michael Costigan    Director of Photography: Harris Savides    Editor: Pietro Scalia    Production Designer: Arthur Max    Costume Designer: Janty Yates    Co-Producer: Jonathan Filley    Music By: Marc Streitenfeld    

For artwork, please log on to our website at http://www.ushepublicity.com/ or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (http://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.

    CONTACTS:    Universal Studios Home Entertainment    Evan Fong    Executive Director, Publicity    (818) 777-5044    Evan.Fong@nbcuni.com     Scott Lyons    Manager, Print Publicity    (818) 777-0523    Scott.Lyons@nbcuni.com     Kelly Castell    Manager, Broadcast Publicity    (818) 777-0549    Kelly.Castell@nbcuni.com     Nicole Canizales    Manager, Online Publicity    (818) 777-0115    Nicole.Canizales@nbcuni.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Evan Fong, Executive Director, Publicity, +1-818-777-5044,
Evan.Fong@nbcuni.com, or Scott Lyons, Manager, Print Publicity,
+1-818-777-0523, Scott.Lyons@nbcuni.com, or Kelly Castell, Manager, Broadcast
Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, Kelly.Castell@nbcuni.com, or Nicole Canizales,
Manager, Online Publicity, +1-818-777-0115, Nicole.Canizales@nbcuni.com, all
of Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment