Gangs of New York
America was born in the streets.
Overview
In early 1860s New York, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon is released from prison and returns to the Five Points, seeking revenge against his father's killer, William Cutting, a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting's inner circle. Vallon's journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Gangs of New York delves into a rarely depicted period of American history, highlighting the violent clashes between native-born 'Nativists' and newly arrived immigrants in the Five Points neighborhood. The film serves as a powerful allegory for contemporary debates surrounding immigration and cultural identity in the United States.
- Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis deliver phenomenal performances, showcasing intense rivalry and complex character development.
- The film offers a visually stunning and historically rich portrayal of 19th-century New York, capturing the brutal realities of gang warfare and social unrest.
- It explores themes of immigration, nativism, political corruption, and the birth of American identity, providing a compelling commentary on the nation's formative years.
- The epic scope and grand scale of the production create an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.
Fun Facts
- Daniel Day-Lewis immersed himself so deeply in the role of Bill the Butcher that he refused to break character even off-set, demanding to be addressed as 'Bill' and staying in character for the duration of filming.
- The film's massive sets, including the recreation of 19th-century New York, were built at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and took years to construct, making it one of the largest and most detailed sets ever built for a film.
- Martin Scorsese had been trying to make this film for nearly 30 years before it finally came to fruition, facing numerous production challenges and setbacks.