Product Description Richer than Frank Lucas. More powerful than the Mafia. He was the biggest drug dealer in America. In 1973 he jumped bail and disappeared with 15 million dollars. He has never been seen again. Nearly four decades later, the fate of Frank Matthews remains a complete mystery. It s as if Matthews dropped off the face of the earth, explained Mike Pizzi, a retired U.S. Marshal who was involved with the hunt for Matthews, the fugitive, for several years. The one hour and 23 minute documentary features rare archival footage, interviews with numerous sources who previously haven t talked on camera about Frank Matthews and never before seen photos of Matthews. The documentary explores several intriguing questions: how was Matthews been able to operate for several years without being detected? What was his relationship with La Cosa Nostra? Why did the CIA get involved in the Matthews investigation? Why has the mystery of his disappearance been so difficult to solve? Born in 1944 in Durham, North Carolina, Matthews left his hometown when he was a teenager, going first to Philadelphia and then to New York City. By the early 1970 s, Frank Matthews had become America's biggest drug kingpin. His organization, headquartered in Brooklyn, stretched across more than 20 states, and he became the only Black gangster to establish direct ties to the French Connection heroin pipeline. To quote a federal prosecutor assigned to the Matthews case, Matthews was a pioneering giant of drug distribution." Matthews organization eventually outgrew even the Italian Mafia, and when he built himself a mansion in Staten Island's most exclusive neighborhood (and across the street from mobsters Paul Castellano and Three Finger Brown), he found himself on the verge of a war with La Cosa Nostra. Matthews also battled militant Black Muslims for control in the streets of New Jersey and Philadelphia as he built his empire. The $15 to 20 million dollars he disappeared with is roughly equivalent to $100 million in today's cash. What happened to Frank Matthews? That s the most intriguing questionin organized crime history, said Chepesiuk, who has spent five years researching the Frank Matthews story. Despite one of the largest manhunts in US history, there is no proof as to whether he is alive or dead. About the Director Alan 'Al Profit' Bradley has directed numerous true crime documentaries including 'Motown Mafia' and 'Rollin: the Fall of the Auto Industry and the Rise of the Drug Economy in Detroit' His first feature film, 'Saint Aubin' was also released in 2012. Ron Chepesiuk is the author of dozens of books and the director of a documentary on legendary heroin smuggler Ike Atkinson.
L**N
Get you some
Why do we Idolize these punks. White, black, Chinese, Latin, Cuban, French, or whoever. Low life’s that have brought a moral decay to Our Land Of Freedom. Doesn’t sound like a land as such when you watch this. Most just watch out of greed. Matthews is tormenting in Hell right now. Picture that. He is not saved. Lol. You know why? Because he did not want it. Guess what? Another story about a director that likes evil. What’s really the motive here? Think about it. Did he ever say this guy was evil? No. He likes him. He may be an Idol to him. I don’t Idolize anyone, or anything. Do you?
D**R
No Meat
I'm not sure why this is so highly rated. The subject matter is inherently interesting, but there was no substance to this documentary. Basically the camera cut back and forth to 20 different guys saying, "Frank was the man!!" for an hour and a half.
E**W
Fascinating Look into Crime History
Although this documentary is mostly just "talking heads," of people who knew, worked with, or tried to prosecute Frank Matthews, it is a surprisingly interesting film. It starts right at the heart of it, with his involvement in the drug trafficking trade, and his penchant for making loads and loads of money. It takes you through the origins of this very capable and bright man, and to his eventual disappearance. It is a hard look at his activities, without being judgmental. Very nicely balanced. I would have liked some archival footage, but that might not have been possible. What is there is a fascinating look into one aspect of crime history, and black American history of a particular bent. Worth a watch.
A**R
HIStory.
The creator of this documentary tells a story of this Black "Drug Kingpin". Selling dope and growing an empire. He narrates many misleading events in America's War on Drugs and Nixon's role. Often leaving out important facts when he offers statistics about black unemployment and the connection to street drug dealers. He conveniently leaves out the systemic roadblocks set by America in creating the "perfect dysfunctional environment that CREATED this "most dangerous drug dealer". Just another whitewashed story. If you watch this Doc please seek out books about the evolution of America from 1878 (The dismantling of Reconstruction) to the present day. This way you have a clear understanding. If this guy did all that is reported by people interview for this doc clams. He is not someone to be admired and neither is the systems that created him.
J**H
Finally the story about the real King of smack makes it into print
This is a must-read, for anyone who is familiar with Frank's story. I mean Nicky Barnes was big but this guy he was one of the biggest and he certainly puts that mental midget Frank Lucas to shame Hollywood ran off and told the Frank Lucas story without getting their facts straight. Anyone in the know, knows Shorty was the real brains Frank was nothing but a big dumb bully who could barely tie shoes and he did rat out every single person that he ever dealt with you can watch the documentary, Sgts. smack by a dude name Atkins and he'll give you the real deal. But let's stay on point here and talk about just how come it took so long for someone to make a documentary and write a book about this guy and his disappearance is he dead, or is he living in Venezuela, nobody really knows but you better believe somehow someway somebody got their hands on all that alleged money maybe that's why nobody was looking real hard for him. Look how long it took him to find Whitey Bulger you think that was an accident Frank wasn't found because somebody didn't want Frank to be found read the book it's the bomb respectfully Johnny Irish
J**S
Very interesting story. I watch the Frank Lucus movie ...
Very interesting story. I watch the Frank Lucus movie with Densel Washington but I had no idea that Frank Matthews was more powerful than Frank Lucus. What an interesting ending
R**I
Where could Frank Matthews hide?
Anyone who thinks Frank Matthews is still alive needs to get off the crack!!! He and the girlfriend have been dead for over 40 years; she was collateral damage. Frank Matthews knew too much!
M**E
I enjoyed the interviews and archived footage and photos of the ...
Really well done docue on the infamous Frank Matthews. I enjoyed the interviews and archived footage and photos of the times. Learned a couple things too.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
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