A Modern Classic Gangster Movie Airing Tonight
Our TV movie recommendation for tonight, 8 November, is Gangs of New York, a period gangster epic directed by Martin Scorsese, known for Goodfellas and The Departed.
Based on Historic Roots
The 2002 film is adapted from Herbert Asbury’s 1927 non-fiction book The Gangs of New York. It features a large ensemble cast with Oscar-winners Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio, alongside Brendan Gleeson, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Marsan, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Liam Neeson, and Stephen Graham.
Plot Overview
The story follows Amsterdam Vallon (DiCaprio), an orphaned Irish-American in 19th-century New York City. Returning to the Five Points neighborhood, he seeks revenge against William ‘Bill the Butcher’ Cutting (Day-Lewis), a feared gang leader and the murderer of his father (Neeson).
“Vallon knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting’s inner circle. Amsterdam’s journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people in 1860s New York.”
Production Challenges and Vision
Gangs of New York was a long-time passion project for Scorsese but faced a difficult production, with extended shooting schedules and budget overruns. Reports also surfaced about producer Harvey Weinstein insisting on cuts, and rumors of a longer, unreleased cut that might better reflect Scorsese’s original vision.
Author’s summary: A gripping retelling of 1860s New York’s brutal gang conflicts, Gangs of New York blends historical drama with personal revenge, marked by a troubled but passionate production.