American Gangster

Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe star in this crime drama directed by Ridley Scott.

When his boss dies, mobster Frank Lucas (Washington) seizes his chance and begins building his own criminal empire.

Utilising the bodies of dead US soldiers, Lucas begins importing heroin directly from South-East Asia, increasing purity on the street and undercutting his rivals.

Before long he's amassed a fortune, which brings him to the attention of maverick police officer Richie Roberts (Crowe), an honest cop in an otherwise corrupt force who is determined to shut Lucas's operation down.

The cast also includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin and Ted Levine.