Gangs of New York

Gangs of New York
Name	Gangs of New York
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Martin Scorsese
Producer	Harvey Weinstein, Alberto Grimaldi
Screenplay	Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, Kenneth Lonergan
Starring	Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz
Music	Howard Shore
Cinematography	Michael Ballhaus
Editing	Thelma Schoonmaker
Studio	Miramax Films, Alberto Grimaldi Productions
Distributor	Miramax Films
Released	2002, 12, 20
Runtime	167 minutes
Country	United States, Italy
Language	English
Budget	$100 million
Gross	$193.8 million

Gangs of New York is a 2002 American epic historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan. Set in the mid-19th century, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz, and chronicles the violent gang wars and political corruption in the Five Points district of New York City. The narrative centers on a young man's quest for vengeance against his father's killer amidst the backdrop of the Civil War draft riots.

Plot summary

In 1846, during a gang battle in the Five Points, the "Native" American gang leader William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting kills the Irish immigrant "Dead Rabbits" leader Priest Vallon. Vallon's young son, Amsterdam Vallon, witnesses the murder and is sent to an orphanage. Sixteen years later, Amsterdam returns to the Five Points seeking revenge, infiltrating Bill's inner circle. He becomes involved with a pickpocket, Jenny Everdeane, who has a complicated history with Bill. As Amsterdam plots his vengeance, tensions escalate between nativist and immigrant factions, culminating during the violent draft riots of 1863. The film concludes with Amsterdam finally confronting Bill in a brutal showdown amidst the citywide chaos.

Historical context

The film is loosely based on Herbert Asbury's 1927 non-fiction book The Gangs of New York and incorporates several real historical figures and events. The setting of the Five Points neighborhood was a notorious Manhattan slum and a hotbed of criminal activity. Key historical events depicted include the rampant political corruption of Tammany Hall, led by figures like Boss Tweed, and the draft riots of 1863, a violent uprising against Civil War conscription laws that targeted African Americans and wealthy elites. While taking dramatic license, the film portrays the intense ethnic conflict between established Protestant "Natives" and newly arrived Irish Catholic immigrants.

Production

Director Martin Scorsese had envisioned the project for decades before securing a $100 million budget from Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein. The film's extensive pre-production involved massive set construction at Cinecittà studios in Rome, where a sprawling recreation of 1860s Five Points was built. Principal photography, led by cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, was notoriously difficult, facing delays, budget overruns, and conflicts between Scorsese and the studio over the final cut. The elaborate costume design was by Sandy Powell and the score was composed by Howard Shore. The editing process, handled by longtime Scorsese collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker, was complex, with the director's original cut exceeding four hours.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast is led by Leonardo DiCaprio as Amsterdam Vallon, marking his first collaboration with Scorsese. Daniel Day-Lewis received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the villainous nativist leader William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting, a role for which he undertook extensive historical research. Cameron Diaz plays the resourceful pickpocket Jenny Everdeane. Notable supporting performances include Jim Broadbent as the corrupt politician Boss Tweed, John C. Reilly as the constable Happy Jack Mulraney, Henry Thomas as Johnny Sirocco, and Brendan Gleeson as the street fighter Walter "Monk" McGinn. Liam Neeson appears in the opening sequence as Priest Vallon.

Reception

Upon its release, the film received generally positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised Daniel Day-Lewis's performance, Martin Scorsese's ambitious direction, and its production design. However, some criticism was directed at its historical inaccuracies and narrative pacing. The film was a major awards contender, earning ten Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, and Best Actor for Day-Lewis. It won no Oscars, losing the top prize to ''Chicago''. Commercially, it grossed over $193 million worldwide against its $100 million budget.

Legacy

Despite its mixed initial critical reception, the film has grown in stature as a significant work in Martin Scorsese's filmography, noted for its gritty depiction of a foundational period in New York City's history. It cemented the creative partnership between Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, who would go on to collaborate on multiple subsequent films like ''The Departed'' and ''The Wolf of Wall Street''. The film's portrayal of urban violence, ethnic strife, and political corruption continues to be referenced in discussions of American historical cinema. Its elaborate set pieces and Daniel Day-Lewis's iconic performance remain particularly influential.

Category:2002 films Category:American historical drama films Category:Martin Scorsese films