About Gangs of New York

Gangs of New York is an American epic period drama released in 2002. Set in the mid-19th century in the Five Points district of New York City, the film centers around a young Irish immigrant named Amsterdam Vallon (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) who seeks revenge against Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), the leader of a rival gang who killed his father many years before.

Making / Production

This movie was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan. The production was a massive undertaking that recreated the historical Five Points district on an Italian movie lot due to the impossibility of filming on location.

Actors

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Amsterdam Vallon: His character is a brash, young Irishman seeking to avenge his father's death.
• Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting: Playing the ruthless leader of the Natives, Day-Lewis's character is the film's primary antagonist.
• Cameron Diaz as Jenny Everdeane: An experienced pickpocket, Diaz's character becomes Vallon's love interest in the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie's setting, Five Points, was one of the world's most notorious slums.
• Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting is based on a real-life person, William Poole, who was a leader of the Washington street gang.
• Director Martin Scorsese spent 20 years developing the project before it finally came to fruition.

Awards

Gangs of New York was nominated for a total of 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Martin Scorsese, Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis, and Best Original Screenplay. The movie, however, didn't win in any category.

Quotes

• "I took the father. Now I'll take the son." - Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting
• "When you kill a king, you don't stab him in the dark. You kill him where the entire court can watch him die." - Amsterdam Vallon

Music, Soundtrack

• "The Hands That Built America" by U2: This song was nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.
• "Signal to Noise" by Peter Gabriel: This song was used during the draft riots scene in the film.
• "Unconstant Lover" by Maura O'Connell: This song plays during a scene set in a dancing hall.