Step into the gritty streets of 1970s New York and test your knowledge of American Gangster (2007) with this ultimate trivia challenge! Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, the film tells the true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug lord who built an empire during the Vietnam War era — and the detective determined to bring him down.
Think you can remember every deal, betrayal, and criminal mastermind move? Take our 10-question trivia quiz and prove you know the ins and outs of this iconic crime drama!
American Gangster (2007) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Frank Lucas in American Gangster (2007)?
Correct Answer: Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington delivers a compelling performance as Frank Lucas, portraying the drug lord’s complex duality — his business acumen and brutal methods — with intensity and charisma.
- What is Frank Lucas’s profession in the film?
Correct Answer: Heroin kingpin
Lucas builds a drug empire by directly importing high-purity heroin from Southeast Asia, undercutting competitors and gaining control over Harlem’s narcotics trade.
- What is the name of the detective investigating Frank Lucas?
Correct Answer: Richie Roberts
Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, a principled detective whose investigation into Lucas’s empire reveals the extent of corruption in the NYPD and the drug underworld.
- In which city is American Gangster primarily set?
Correct Answer: New York City
Set in 1970s New York, particularly Harlem, the film explores the era’s drug trade, highlighting the city’s struggle with crime, poverty, and systemic corruption.
- What is the name of Frank Lucas’s high-quality heroin brand?
Correct Answer: Blue Magic
“Blue Magic” becomes synonymous with quality heroin. Lucas uses branding to distinguish his product, creating a recognizable name in the narcotics market.
- Who directed American Gangster?
Correct Answer: Ridley Scott
Veteran director Ridley Scott brings his cinematic expertise to this gritty true-crime tale, crafting a film that’s both stylish and grounded in historical reality.
- What is Richie Roberts’s profession?
Correct Answer: Police detective
Roberts is a rare figure of integrity in a corrupt department. His unshakable ethics and dogged investigation ultimately lead to Lucas’s arrest and a major police scandal.
- What war is referenced in the film as part of Frank Lucas’s heroin operation?
Correct Answer: Vietnam War
The Vietnam War provides the backdrop for Lucas’s smuggling operation, as he uses military channels to move heroin into the U.S. undetected.
- How does Frank Lucas smuggle heroin into the United States?
Correct Answer: Inside military coffins
Lucas utilizes a shocking method — hiding heroin inside the coffins of deceased U.S. soldiers — to secretly transport large quantities of drugs from Vietnam.
- What ultimately happens to Frank Lucas at the end of the film?
Correct Answer: He is arrested and cooperates with authorities
Following his arrest, Lucas chooses to cooperate with the government, exposing corrupt officials and criminals, which results in a reduced prison sentence and hundreds of convictions.
