The American Gangster (1992)

Director:

Ben Burtt

Writer:

Ray Herbeck Jr. (writer)

Genre:

Crime | Documentary

Runtime:

45 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Trivia:

This documentary is available in 'The Mob Box Set' released by Sony Pictures.

Too Much Of A Classroom Feel To It

Here's a very studious look at many of the famous gangsters of the first half of the 20th century, from Italians such as Lucky Luciano and Al Capone to the Jews' Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel to the Irish and the O'Bannions and others.

This is almost like being in a classroom and have someone give a lecture, with film and slide presentations. Sometimes there is almost too much information at once and it gets tough trying to remember who did what. It's actually too cerebral at times.

There are some bloody real-life pictures and some profane words, but not many, if anyone was wondering.

In summary, not as good and fascinating as I had hoped it would be, but I'm surprised no one else has reviewed this documentary as of this writing in late November of 2006.