Gangs of New York (2002)

In 1862, Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher, his father's killer.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Jay Cocks (story), Jay Cocks (screenplay)

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis

Nominated for 10 Oscars. Another 50 wins & 124 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Amsterdam Vallon
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting
Cameron Diaz	...	Jenny Everdeane
Jim Broadbent	...	Boss Tweed
John C. Reilly	...	Happy Jack
Henry Thomas	...	Johnny Sirocco
Liam Neeson	...	'Priest' Vallon
Brendan Gleeson	...	Walter 'Monk' McGinn
Gary Lewis	...	McGloin
Stephen Graham	...	Shang
Eddie Marsan	...	Killoran
Alec McCowen	...	Reverend Raleigh (as Alec Mccowen)
David Hemmings	...	Mr. Schermerhorn
Lawrence Gilliard Jr.	...	Jimmy Spoils (as Larry Gilliard Jr.)
Cara Seymour	...	Hell-Cat Maggie

Storyline

In the god-forsaken district of early-1860's Lower Manhattan known as the Five Points, the vicious Nativist, Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, is the supreme overlord of an area riddled with crime, prostitution, theft and murder, as the American Civil War still rages on. Sixteen whole years after the brutal murder of his father from Bill's blood-stained hands, an orphaned Irish-American, Amsterdam Vallon, returns to this melting pot of corruption to avenge his untimely death; however, a lot has changed since then. Who can remember the once innocent boy and now a young man bent on revenge, who works his way up to the hierarchy of Five Points? Will Amsterdam ever taste the dangerous but sweet fruit of retribution?

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Plot Keywords:

gangster | new york city | political corruption | butcher | immigrant | 

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Taglines:

Freedom was born in the streets.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense strong violence, sexuality/nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Production designer Dante Ferretti recreated over a mile of mid-nineteenth century buildings, consisting of a five block area of Lower Manhattan, including the Five Points slum, part of the East River waterfront with two full-sized sailing ships, a thirty-building stretch of lower Broadway and replicas of a mansion, Tammany Hall, a church, a saloon, a Chinese theater, and a casino.

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Goofs

Just before the draft rioters break into the Schermerhorn house, as the family is sits down to eat, large celadon vases are visible in the dining room windows that overlook the street. Moments later, when the rioters smash through the windows, the vases have disappeared.

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Quotes

Walter 'Monk' McGinn: [Pins Amsterdam to the wall] That's it, that's it! Tear my head off and destruct the world! Just like the rest of the stupid Irish in this country! That's why I never ran with your dad!
Amsterdam Vallon: Get off me you crazy bastard!
Walter 'Monk' McGinn: [Leans in and whispers a line of Gaelic. Then, in English] It means, 'If you're not strong you'd better be smart.' Now I don't know if you're being too clever or too dumb, but whichever it is just remember this much. For all his faults, your father was a man who loved his people.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

We gratefully acknowledge all the individuals and institutions who contributed their historical knowledge to this film.

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Alternate Versions

Scorsese's original cut of the film was 216 minutes (3 hours & 36 minutes) long.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Amy Adams/Timothy Olyphant/Brett Eldredge (2016)

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Soundtracks

Pakwach Acholi Bwala Dance
Written and recorded by David Fanshawe
Courtesy of Nonesuch Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Another great by Scorsese. Daniel Day Lewis does a fantastic job as usual.

One of the last truly great historical epics I can think of boosted by one of the all time anti hero performances by Lewis and a solid badass role by Leo. While not the most historically accurate film it does the period justice and gave them the epic they deserved.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Italy

Language:

English Irish Chinese Latin

Release Date:

20 December 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gangs of New York

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,100,000, 22 December 2002

Gross USA:

$77,812,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$193,772,504

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG), Alberto Grimaldi Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

167 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1