Underrated crime thriller based on true story with Oscar winners is on TV soon | Films | Entertainment

Back in 2007, Sir Ridley Scott directed Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in American Gangster. The film is loosely based on the real-life crimes of Frank Lucas, who smuggled heroin into the USA on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War.

Washington stars as Lucas opposite Crowe’s Newark Detective Richie Roberts. They’re joined in an impressive supporting cast that includes Josh Brolin and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Although both Roberts and Lucas felt the film took too much creative license, and three former DEA agents sued Universal over the agency’s portrayal, the movie was a hit with critics and fared well at the box office. The film was nominated for two Oscars and Ruby Dee won Best Supporting Actress at the SAG awards.

American Gangster is on Channel 4 at 10pm this Saturday evening.