Universal Sets 'American Gangster' HD DVD Date

After teasing us with early specs, Universal has finally announced a February arrival for the Denzel Washington blockbuster 'American Gangster.'

In an unusual pre-announcement, late last year the studio issued detailed specs and box art for the $100 million-plus Ridley Scott Oscar hopeful without providing an exact street date.

Now they've confirmed a widely-rumored February 19 day-and-date arrival on HD DVD/DVD combo and standard-def DVD, and have issued final specs for the release.

As previously announced, extras shared across all versions will include audio commentary with Scott and writer Steven Zaillian, the "Uncovering the Past: The Real Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts" documentary, and deleted scenes (including an alternate opening).

Exclusive to the HD DVD is a U-Control picture-in-picture video commentary featuring Scott, Zaillan and stars Washington and Russell Crowe. Web-enabled content includes a bonus deleted scene "Frank & Eva's Wedding," the ability to share your favorite MyScenes selections with other online users, interactive polling and access to movie trailers for other Universal HD DVD titles.

Although the concurrently-released standard DVD versions will include a 174-minute extended cut of the film, the HD DVD side of the combo version will include only the original 157-minute theatrical cut. (Curiously, the DVD flipside of the discwill contain the extended cut.)

Tech specs for the HD DVD include 1080p/VC-1 video, and a Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 Surround track (1.5mbps), along with a French dub. (Earlier reports had suggested a Dolby TrueHD track.)

Suggested retail for the HD DVD/DVD combo has been set at $39.98.

You'll find disc details for 'Ameican Gangster' linked from our HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 19.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for Universal's latest in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'American Gangster' HD DVD release.