A Modern Classic Gangster Movie Airing Tonight
Our TV movie pick for Saturday, 8 November, is Gangs of New York, a period gangster epic directed by Martin Scorsese, known for Goodfellas and The Departed.
Based on Herbert Asbury's 1927 non-fiction book The Gangs of New York, the 2002 film features a star-studded cast including 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 Irish-American orphan in 19th-century New York. He returns to the Five Points neighborhood seeking revenge against William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting (Day-Lewis), a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader and the killer of Amsterdam’s 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
Gangs of New York was a long-time passion project for Scorsese, but its production was troubled, running over schedule and budget. Reports also surfaced about producer Harvey Weinstein demanding cuts to the film.
There is speculation about an unreleased longer version that might better reflect Scorsese’s original vision.
Key Cast Members
- Daniel Day-Lewis
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Brendan Gleeson
- Cameron Diaz
- Eddie Marsan
- Jim Broadbent
- John C. Reilly
- Liam Neeson
- Stephen Graham
Author's summary: Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York remains a landmark gangster film marked by an acclaimed cast, a gripping revenge plot, and a tumultuous production history.