Is Gangs of New York Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Alaguvelan M
Updated May 04, 2023
Gangs of New York
Based on Herbert Asbury's 1927 book The Gangs of New York, Gangs of New York is a 2002 American epic historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz, with supporting roles played by Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Stephen Graham, Eddie Marsan, and Brendan Gleeson. The film is set in 1863, amidst a long-standing Catholic-Protestant feud that erupts into violence while an Irish immigrant group protests against conscription.
After spending twenty years developing the project, Scorsese finally found a producer in Harvey Weinstein and his production company Miramax Films, who acquired the film rights in 1999. The film was shot in Cinecittà, Rome, and Long Island City, New York City, and was completed by 2001. However, its release was delayed due to the September 11 attacks. Finally, it was released in the United States on December 20, 2002, and it went on to gross over $193 million worldwide.
The film received positive reviews, with particular praise for Daniel Day-Lewis's performance. At the 75th Academy Awards, it received ten nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, and Best Actor for Day-Lewis.
The film, which had a production period of three years, eventually debuted on December 20, 2002, a year later than originally intended. Although it has been made available on DVD and Blu-ray, there are currently no plans to re-release the theatrical version or create a "director's cut" for home viewing.
Thelma Schoonmaker, the film's editor, stated that Martin Scorsese does not believe in such revisions and prefers to present only the completed version of his work. In Canada and the United States, Gangs of New York earned $77,812,000 at the box office, while in Japan it earned $23,763,699 and in the United Kingdom it earned $16,358,580. Overall, the film grossed $193,772,504 worldwide.
Is Gangs of New York Based on a True Story?
The events depicted in the movie Gangs of New York are largely fictional, although some real-world inspiration was drawn from the history of New York City's gangs in the 19th century. The movie was based on Herbert Asbury's 1928 non-fiction book The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld, which chronicled the rise of gangs in the city from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century. However, much of the book's content has been discredited as sensationalized or outright fabricated.
The character of Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, was loosely based on William Poole, a real-life gang leader who was involved in New York City politics and was killed in a bar brawl in 1855. However, historical accuracy wasn't the main focus of the movie, which aimed to create a vivid depiction of the time and place, portraying the intense violence, chaos, and political corruption that characterized the era. While the movie is not a historically accurate portrayal of New York's gang culture, it nevertheless remains a vivid and compelling portrayal of a turbulent era in the city's history.
The protagonist of Gangs of New York, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is Amsterdam Vallon, the son of Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson). The story begins 16 years before the main events of the film, during a violent clash between the gangs of the Five Points area, which results in the death of Priest Vallon at the hands of Bill "The Butcher" Cutting (Daniel-Day Lewis).
Amsterdam sets out to seek revenge against his father's killer, and the film jumps to the modern-day setting of 1862. Although the movie incorporates real-life gangs from mid-19th century New York, such as The Plug Uglies, The Forty Thieves, The O'Connell Guards, The Shirt Tails, The Chichesters, The Daybreak Boys, and The Swamp Angels, the central storyline is fictional.
Gangs of New York Ending Explained
The ending of Gangs of New York is intentionally open-ended and cyclical in nature. After Amsterdam Vallon (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) successfully avenges his father's death by killing the ruthless crime boss Bill the Butcher (played by Daniel Day-Lewis), the movie ends with a time-lapse sequence showing how the city of New York changes over time.
As the graves of the main characters gradually crumble and disappear, the city transforms from the sprawling slum of the mid-19th century to the modern metropolis of the early 20th century. There are several possible interpretations of this ending.. First, it underscores the idea that the events of the movie are just one small part of New York City's long and complex history. The movie focuses on a specific time and place in the city's past, but the time-lapse sequence reminds viewers that this is just a tiny sliver of a much larger story.
Second, the ending symbolizes the cyclical nature of history. As the graves of Amsterdam, Bill, and the other characters erode over time, it's a reminder that even powerful and influential people become forgotten by history eventually. The ending suggests that the city is constantly in a state of flux, with new eras always replacing old ones.
Finally, the ending can be seen as a commentary on the futility of violence and revenge. While the climax of the movie involves Amsterdam and Bill engaging in a brutal fight to the death, the time-lapse sequence at the end reminds viewers that their struggle ultimately had no lasting impact on the city. The characters' graves crumble away just like everything else, suggesting that even the most personal and intense conflicts are ultimately fleeting and will be forgotten in time.
Is the Cemetery in Gangs of New York Real?
The cemetery seen in the final scenes of Gangs of New York is not a real cemetery, but a fictional one built for the movie. Many of the gravestones and names in the cemetery are based on real people and locations throughout New York City. For instance, the character of Bill the Butcher is based on a real-life gang leader named William Poole, whose grave is located in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, one of the most famous burial grounds in the city.
As a result of the movie's popularity, Green-Wood Cemetery has become a popular tourist destination for fans of the film and for those interested in the city's history and architecture. Green-Wood Cemetery, which opened in 1838, is a 478-acre cemetery located in Brooklyn's South Slope neighborhood. It is the final resting place for a number of prominent New Yorkers, including Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Boss Tweed, as well as many Civil War veterans. The cemetery also features a number of grand mausoleums, ornate statues, and carefully landscaped pathways, making it a popular destination for history buffs, photographers, and nature lovers alike.
Despite the cemetery seen in Gangs of New York being a fictional location, the movie's depiction of graves and monuments falling into disrepair over time is reflective of the real-life state of many older cemeteries in the city. With limited resources and space, many of these burial grounds have fallen into disrepair or been repurposed over time. This has led to efforts among preservationists and historians to restore and maintain these historic landmarks as a way of preserving the city's rich cultural and architectural heritage.
Gangs of New York Summary
Gangs of New York is a 2002 American historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and set in the mid-19th century, during a time of great social upheaval and civil unrest in New York City. The plot revolves around two rival gangs, the Protestant Confederation of American Natives (led by Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day-Lewis) and the Irish Catholic immigrant Dead Rabbits (led by "Priest" Vallon, played by Liam Neeson), who battle for control of the Five Points neighborhood.
The film follows the story of Amsterdam Vallon (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), the son of Priest Vallon, who seeks revenge against Bill the Butcher for killing his father. The film explores themes of immigration, class conflict, poverty, and political corruption, all set against the backdrop of mid-19th century New York City.
Production on the film began in 1999 after Scorsese spent over 20 years developing the project. The film features an all-star cast, including Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, and Brendan Gleeson, in addition to the three leads. The film was shot on location in Rome and New York City, with elaborate sets and costumes designed to accurately portray the historical period.
The film's score was composed by Howard Shore and features traditional Irish music as well as original compositions. Gangs of New York was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over $193 million worldwide and receiving numerous awards and nominations, including ten Academy Award nominations. The film is considered a classic of modern cinema and is notable for its unflinching depiction of violence and its exploration of historical themes. Overall, the film is a powerful portrayal of the social and political struggles that shaped New York City and the United States in the mid-19th century.
Gangs of New York Plot
In the 1840s, two gangs, the Dead Rabbits and the Protestant Confederation of American Natives, battle for control over the Five Points slum in New York City. The leader of the Dead Rabbits, "Priest" Vallon, is killed by Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, and Vallon's son, Amsterdam, witnesses it before being sent to an orphanage.
Sixteen years later, Amsterdam returns to the Five Points seeking revenge and joins Bill's gang while secretly plotting to kill him. Amsterdam becomes involved in corrupt politics and falls in love with pickpocket Jenny Everdeane. After Amsterdam's true identity is revealed, he and Bill face off in a gang battle during the Civil War draft riots, resulting in Bill's death. Amsterdam buries his father's knife next to Bill and Vallon's graves, and the cemetery is eventually forgotten as New York City develops.
As Amsterdam and Jenny leave the cemetery, they pass by a group of young boys playing a game of stickball, a nod to the film's opening scene. The final shot shows the American flag flying over the city, symbolizing the growth and development of the country, but also the violent and tumultuous history that helped shape it. "Gangs of New York" was directed by Martin Scorsese and received ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis, who won the award for his portrayal of Bill "The Butcher" Cutting.
Is Gangs of New York Based on a True Story - FAQs
Yes, the character of Bill the Butcher is based on a real-life gang leader named William Poole, who was also known as "Bill the Butcher" due to his profession as a meat cutter.
Yes, there were many different gangs that existed in New York City during the mid-19th century, and the Protestant Confederation of American Natives and the Dead Rabbits were two of the most prominent.
Yes, the Five Points neighborhood was a real area of New York City that was known for its poverty, crime, and overcrowding during the mid-19th century.
Yes, Irish immigrants faced significant discrimination and prejudice in New York City during the mid-19th century, which often contributed to tensions and violence between different ethnic and religious groups.
The events depicted in Gangs of New York were instrumental in shaping the social and political landscape of New York City during the mid-19th century, and the film offers a powerful portrayal of the struggles and conflicts that characterized this turbulent time in American history.