The American Gangster of alcohol that empowered the gangsters. The documentary shows actual film footage and photographs of gangsters like Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillinger, Al Capone, and Bugsy Siegel. "The American Gangster" was released on VHS on July 1, 1992. The documentary was later part of a box set of DVDs, "The Mob Box Set", released on January 3, 2006. The documentary accompanied films like "Bugsy" (1991), "Donnie Brasco" (1997), and "Snatch" (2000). The American Gangster The American Gangster is a 1992 American crime documentary film directed by Ben Burtt and written and produced by Ray Herbeck Jr. The documentary is narrated
American Gangster (film) as a rock", and that it was "far too convinced of its import to be any fun." Giving "American Gangster" a two out of five stars, Peter Bradshaw of "The Guardian" was disappointed with Washington's acting, asserting, "He doesn't seem to relax and enjoy himself in the role, or even inhabit it very satisfyingly." He resumed: "He never has the menace of his dirty cop in "Training Day", and we don't see anything like the transformation from street-hustler to leader in "Malcolm X". That shoulder-shimmying swagger is rarely seen, and the brand-classic robes of "American Gangster" sit on him heavily."