Gangs Of New York (2002)

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Starring:

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Genres:

Drama

Languages:

English

Reviews:

6 reviews

Released:

Monday, June 30, 2003

In 1860's lower Manhattan, the Five Points section is a dark, teeming corner of the city known for vice and chaos. Into this frontier of lawlessness arrives the young Irish American, Amsterdam Vallon. Amsterdam is the orphaned son of the slain Priest Vallon--once chief warrior of the Dead Rabbits gang that rallied the Irish immigrants of the Five Points. After 16 years in a "House of Refuge," Amsterdam has returned to the Five Points to hunt down his father's killer. His target is William Cutting (aka "Bill the Butcher") who has since become the merciless new leader of the neighborhood and detests the newly arrived immigrants. Each year, on the anniversary of Priest Vallon's death, the victory is commemorated with a celebration--with invitations handed out by way of the Butcher himself. Amsterdam's plan is clear: to lie in wait and slay his father's killer. While waiting for that night, Amsterdam works his way deep into the Butcher's inner circle, a world of alternating honor and cruelty from which he can only hope to escape. But the closer he gets to Bill, the more he falls under his spell and becomes conflicted--playing the role of the man's surrogate son while keeping the true secret of his past in the shadows. At the same time, Amsterdam meets Jenny Everdeane, an enigmatic pickpocket whose fierce independence fascinates him. When details of her closely linked past with Bill the Butcher emerge, the relationship between the three intensifies. Amsterdam's fight for family honor, freedom and the woman he loves ultimately collides with a pivotal moment in New York and American history: the 1863 Civil War Draft Riots. This uprising, fueled by new Americans like Amsterdam, will have repercussions that will spread through the Five Points to the halls of Government and beyond, and reveal a tenacious spirit in the city that endures.

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KIM from Louth, 21 Jul 2008

This is one of my all time favourite films; from the opening battle right to the bittersweet end, I love this film. DiCaprio is brilliant as ever, and Day Lewis as Bill The Butcher gives me the shivers every time I see it. A tyrant you can't help but respect. Inspired me to learn more about that time in New York. The soundtrack is just awesome, and the passing of time in the last few minutes, with U2's theme playing, still brings a tear. One to watch again and again

3 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Tries hard but...

Peter from Dublin, 24 Aug 2010

In part excellent but very flawed. The usually reliable Leonardo DiCaprio is out of his depth and portrays the usual ham-Irish sentiment offered by Hollywood. Daniel Day Lewis is imperious as De Niro actalike Bill the Butcher. Good turn from John C Reilly too. A valiant effort charting the rise and fall of gang warfare and the cultural divide of the emerging New York city. Unfortunately it falls short with it's leading couple and the scope of the story.

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

Gangs of New York

Marguerite from Cork, 08 Sep 2008

Interesting to see the world of New York way back & how their life was - rather different to present day......

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful