Gangs of New York (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set)

Both flawed and delayed, Martin Scorcese’s Gangs of New York still emerges as his most vital work since “GoodFellas.”

The story’s bedrock conflict is between gangs of self-proclaimed “Native Americans,” mostly English-descended and Protestant, and the growing tide of immigrants, mostly Irish and Catholic. Upon this foundation Scorsese builds subplots personal, municipal and national. The personal conflict emerges between a young Irish immigrant named Amsterdam (Leonardo DiCaprio) and William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis, doing a fine Robert De Niro impression), leader of New York’s Nativist gangs. Fifteen years earlier, as shown in the film’s gory prologue, Bill the Butcher killed Amsterdam’s father, “Priest” Vallon (Liam Neeson), during a melee in the Five Points neighborhood.
Upon his release from reform school, Amsterdam aims to murder Bill. But as he grows close to the charismatic leader, Amsterdam, like Hamlet, finds himself unable to avenge his father’s death. The characters don’t miss the parallels. “It’s so bloody Shakespearean,” says Amsterdam’s companion, Johnny (Henry Thomas).

Besides keeping Manhattan’s Lower East Side in order, Bill has greater aims. Mayor “Boss” Tweed (Jim Broadbent) has a vision, a city that creates infrastructure and provides municipal services. Currently, rival firehouses fight for the right to put out a tenement blaze, giving looters plenty of time to slip in.
But Tweed’s grand civic plans requires muscle to keep city workers and immigrants in line, so he invites Bill the Butcher to Tammany Hall. Bill asks why not use the cops as enforcers. “The appearance of the law must be upheld,” Tweed replies, “especially when it’s being broken.”

While New York tries to evolve from brawling burgh into major city, far away the nation tears itself in two. Upscale New Yorkers try to ignore the Civil War, but down at the docks the poor watch as coffins come off Navy ships and recruits walk aboard. Young men step off the boat from Ireland and immediately are conscripted into the Union army. “Welcome to your new country, now go fight for it,” are their welcoming words.

Echoes from the Vietnam War are unmistakable as immigrants believe they are fodder in a war of economics. “Let the sons of the rich go and die,” they say, “let the sons of the poor stay home.” Abraham Lincoln is as hated in Lower Manhattan as he is in Atlanta. This sentiment explodes during the Draft Riots of 1863 as the mob turns against the government. Freed slaves unfortunate enough to be on the street that day are beaten or lynched.

As this tension builds, Amsterdam realizes his inability to kill Bill the Butcher has turned him into Bill’s surrogate son. The one living person who comes between them is Jenny Everdeane (Cameron Diaz), a pickpocket who is Bill’s protégé and Amsterdam’s new love. Should Amsterdam break from Bill, whom would she follow?

Even at two hours and 45 minutes, “Gangs of New York” never feels overlong, but occasionally it is overstuffed. Influenced by Dante Ferretti’s marvelous production design, which brings entire neighborhoods of old New York to life in a studio outside Rome, Scorsese occasionally pauses to make sure we are appreciating the history. Marveling as an Irish jig absorbs African rhythms, the otherwise racist Bill proclaims, “This is a new form of music!”
Apart from moments of showboating, “Gangs of New York” bursts with energy in a way no Scorsese film has.

When I try to tell people about this film, I hear a lot of them tell me it's either too long to sit through, they don't like Cameron Diaz or Leonardo DiCaprio, or that it's a movie only meant for Americans. While it is indeed a long movie, there's no reason at all to prejudice it for some of the actors or the title.

This is a film that needs to be watched more than once, and paid attention to as you are viewing it. The atmosphere of it and within the film has a dingy and shadowy vibe, its own unique twists - and the story is phenomenal.

The three main actors aren't ones you'd expect to see acting together, but they do it flawlessly. Each of them adds their own element to the film, with Daniel Day-Lewis taking the centre. He is one of this generation's finest actors - the character he plays (Bill the Butcher) is powerful, unforgiving, and absolutely brutal. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a young Irish man with deep inner turmoil, who is torn between the desire to simply find his way in life as well as the mysteries of his own past. And on top of that, the burning desire for revenge.

In Gangs of New York, one of the main conflicts is racism and the fight for power. You have to remember that it is set in the late 1800's.

As well as that, Bill the Butcher is an important man who has made a name for himself. If he wants something, he'll get it, usually without failure. When I said he was brutal, I wasn't exaggerating. He has a lot of charisma, and it shows in what he wears and how he talks. Amsterdam (DiCaprio) seems gentle at times, but his inner turmoil is gradually heating up for a long time in the film. You see him and Bill create a relationship, one where Bill begins to admire the younger man. It seems he even starts care for him, in a way he'd never cared for anyone else before.

If you enjoy passionate and intense drama, quality acting and well written stories, you will likely appreciate this movie. It is a story of revenge, battles for power, nationality, mutual love, pain, suspicion and betrayal, as well as New York. It certainly is an epic.

The first time I saw this film was right after 9/11/02. The themes hit too close to home. It was a shock and dismay. It is meant to help you purge your emotions, and you will cry, regardless. I thought it was a good run, but it also made me sick to my stomach. I wasn't sure how I felt about it as a piece of film. I now think of it now is a classic. It ranks right up there with the rest of great American cinema. I have never been to New York, but I feel inspired to visit and learn more about this dynamic city.

It's now 2008... I watched this film a second time today. Still it goes right to the core of some very human issues. DeCaprio is pure and intense. I love his consistency, his gentle, yet masked and powerful emotions; all the while he is available to the viewer. Day-Lewis plays a tainted bully who is controlling the 4-corners as the town butcher. Slowly, the town begins to compromise its spiritual roots and grow and evolve around the fear (and the need of) the butcher. Young "Amsterdam" is there from the beginning; it becomes his story. A story in which he describes how people often have to beg for help, food, and assistance - in this case, they are immigrants. The town butcher is murderer who places everyone in a subservient position. He does this with name-calling, intimidation, displays of power, teaming-up against smaller clans of people and slam-blasting anyone who is in position of leadership, with murder and blood. This goes on for years!

I would recommend this film for anyone who has to deal with a bully. It has the power to help any person reevaluate one's own priorities when it comes to depending on another. The historical aspects of the film are also very well-done and informative. It's too bad the length of the film had to be cut. Even as it is, it's necessary to pause it in several spots, just to catch your breath. Sometimes, pause to take a break and replay it, as the actors build a dynamic throughout the film that is non-stop and vital to its message. It is not a film to watch with teenagers late-night, but on a late afternoon.

"Gangs of New York" will make you take another look at your personal freedom, and get you thinking about the history of America, and the costs your freedom involves. It's a valuable story for discussion with teens, friends, neighbors and colleagues. It should be included in your collection!

A great movie, Scorcese at his best. Based off the book of the same title, this movie makes the history and culture of 1860's New York come alive. Great soundtrack and cast, with Daniel Day-Lewis (one of the greatest actors of all time), Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and others.

This is a story about America. It is about the 5 points or 5 street corners that come together in the city of New York. While the Civil War was being fought over slavery, in New York it was the Natives born & raised in the 5 points & the Irish immigrants coming each & everyday to America. Thus being emptied in the city of New York after arriving on Ellis Island. My family came over here the same way. This movie invokes all the rage & passion involved as the Irish claws their way into America. Everyone should watch this movie & witness how America was made. America was still so young. We are spoiled with what we have now. It took a lot of deaths to get me here alive. I appreciated this movie & the acting by DiCaprio & Day-Lewis. Their passion for the art of acting came through beautifully. I highly recommend this great piece of cinematography. Truly a classic!