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.
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.
K**P
The one that got away!
I love a good documentary about anything of the past. This was no different. I had never heard of or knew anything about Frank Matthews, but his story was good. Drugs, money, and the government have a long history way before now. Seems like history is only repeating itself.
B**H
His Disappearance is a Mirror to Jimmy Hoffa's
According to this documentary Frank Matthews was a man with CEO talent and ambition but not the complexion. In his day the only way many blacks could make a ton of money was by selling drugs.The government and the sub-government made sure the status quo was maintained. The MK Ultra program was instituted to break the backs of the hippie movement. Jim Crow was developed to break the backs of men of color who had the potential to be successful legitimate businessmen.Though this film glosses over a lot of Frank's biography, it exposes the premise If you buck the system, it bucks back. Jimmy Hoffa, Charles Manson and Frank Matthews got bucked by the system.Truth be told there's no glory in drug dealing, but there is glory in making a ton of money in these United States. This was a grim story of the ugly life associated with illegal narcotics. I respect the in-your-face story telling but not the subject matter.
T**T
What I Got Out Of It
Frank Matthews had a talent for selling his product. Most of all his communication & leadership skills had to be extraordinary in order to control such a vast market place. To bad it was used to sell a product that helped set his people back decades by getting them hooked on dope. Frank was in a class of his own. The Italian gangsters stopped at nothing to see Frank Matthews demise. In today's world we call that "straight up player hating". When Frank bought that house on Toot Hill, that was the beginning of the end. The Italians that lived on Toot Hill with Frank feared this Black man "TRUST ME" when I say it. Just like Black folks are feared in the work place, the sports gridiron, or the Corporate business world. Feared because deep down inside they all know we possess the talent and ability to do it better than anyone else can....and that's just one of the things they fear the most about Black folks....it's what they feared in Frank Matthews, buy the DVD!
D**R
It was ok but I wouldn't recommend buying it to add to the collection!
I enioyed The Frank Matthews Story but it was to me just a lot of put together information from multiple sources and interviews with some of his friends and business associates. It was VERY well put together but I'm glad that I didn't buy the dvd and just paid for the standard download for half the money. It wasn't what I expected but I wasn't TOTALLY disappointed.
M**6
The Truest "G" Of Them All
I consider myself a true fan of street documentaries but Frank Matthews is the man of all the rags to riches strories his is the best! Not because he sold the most dope, or had the most women, or committed the most murders but because HE GOT AWAY! I wont spoil it for those who haven't seen it but if you like the tales of the street this one is for you! Mr. Matthews did it like it's supposed to be done and probably won't ever be done again! Treat yourself buy this one today!
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.
H**N
BEST 1 YET
THIS IS THE BEST STREET DOCUMENTRY BY FAR IF YOU GOT THE OTHERS YOU NEED THIS HE IS THE OLNY KING PIN TO DO AS BIG AS HE DID AND GET AWAY HE WAS REALLY THE KING NOT FRANK LUCAS OR NICKY BARNES GET YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT
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