"American Gangster" tops box office

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LONDON (Reuters) - Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe’s "American Gangster" has maintained its grip on the British box office for a second weekend, keeping history epic "Beowulf" from the top spot.

Director Ridley Scott’s real-life crime drama took 1.8 million pounds over the three days for a total so far of 5.7 million, according to Screen International.

Beowulf, director Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation of the Old English poem, starring Ray Winstone, took 1.4 million in its second weekend for a 4.5 million pound total.

Third, back up one after slipping last week, was "Stardust", a fantasy adventure starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro, while down one place at four was the tale of sewer rat-turned-chef, "Ratatouille."

"Good Luck Chuck", a romantic comedy with Jessica Alba and Dane Cook, was unchanged at five.

New at six was "The Darjeeling Limited," featuring Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody heading off the beaten track in India.

At seven was another newcomer, "August Rush," a romantic melodrama featuring an orphan hero using his musical gifts to find his parents.

Horror movie "Shrooms" was new at eight while the Virgin Queen biopic "Elizabeth" was down three at nine, just above another horror offering "30 Days of Night" at 10, which .....continued below

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(Reporting by Steve Addison)