UPCOMING EPISODES

It’s the story of the rise of a small-time Harlem crook to African American drug baron. American Gangster tells the story of Frank Lucas - the first Harlem gangster to turn the tables on the mafia by creating a heroin network responsible for a statewide epidemic. But Hollywood got the wrong guy. The new supply-network was the brainchild of an ex-Army sergeant, smuggling huge quantities from South East Asia into the United States. In reality - Ike Atkinson was untouchable until Frank Lucas exacts revenge and brings him down. Ike Atkinson is the Real Story of American Gangster.

Starring Johnny Depp, Donnie Brasco is one the most critically acclaimed gangster films ever made. But the real story is even more remarkable than the film. Special agent Joe Pistone reveals the truth about his six years undercover in the New York Mafia.

Martin Scorsese’s film about the New York mafia is considered one of the greatest gangster movies of all time. It is based on a book by Nicholas Pileggi, called Wiseguy. Based on the life story of Henry Hill it features the Lufthansa heist at JFK where $6 million in cash and jewellery was stolen in 1978. The movie claims that Hill went clean from 1987, after having his identity changed as part of the witness protection programme. But he didn’t – as he was arrested for narcotics offences right up to his death in 2012. However he had a parallel career as chef and a cookbook writer and was a regular guest on the Howard Stern show.

In 2009 armed Somali pirates hijacked the Maersk Alabama. Four years later Hollywood gave America a new hero in the form of its commander, Captain Phillips. But the real story is the desperate struggle of another man: Chief Engineer Mike Perry. Below decks he disables the ship and works to save the crew. His critical fight back leads to the captures of the pirate leader – a crucial bargaining chip in the eventual negotiations to get the pirates off the Alabama.

In 2009 armed Somali pirates hijacked the Maersk Alabama. Four years later Hollywood gave America a new hero in the form of its commander, Captain Phillips. But the real story is the desperate struggle of another man: Chief Engineer Mike Perry. Below decks he disables the ship and works to save the crew. His critical fight back leads to the captures of the pirate leader – a crucial bargaining chip in the eventual negotiations to get the pirates off the Alabama.