Gangs Of New York

Gangs Of New York

When I found out we were able to choose a historical film to watch for extra credit, “Gangs of New York” immediately came to mind; and boy was I was glad this was on the list.   I’ve never watched this film, and it’d be the perfect time to do so. I absolutely love Leonardo Di C
    The Gangs of New York is a film portraying the latter half of the 19th century in the slums of the early New York City. The latter half of the century saw the American Civil War, the rise of new political parties, gangs, mass immigration, and “Boss Tweed.” All of these facets of American history are portrayed in great detail and in amazing historical accuracy.
The film starts in 1846, in a place called the "Five Points" district, located in Lower Manhattan. A war over territory, between the “Nativists” and the “Dead Rabbits” unfolds in the Five Points district. The Nativist are led by a man known as “the Butcher”, a Protestant, born in the United States from earlier English & Dutch Protestant immigrants, who has an unfasten hatred for the immigrants. The Dead Rabbits, led by Priest Vallon, an Irish immigrant, who has a son named Amsterdam. The two gangs meet in a horrific battle in which Priest dies after being stabbed by “the Butcher.” After he dies, his young son Amsterdam runs away with his father’s knife and buries it in the ground. He is eventually captured and placed in an orphanage called Hellgate.
Sixteen years later, the now mature Amsterdam returns to “Five Points”. While walking through the center of the town he meets his old friend Johnny, who is now part of a group of Irish and Black thieves. Johnny introduces Amsterdam to the now 47 year old “Butcher.” As Amsterdam get in with the Nativist, he finds that his father’s old pals are now working for “the Butcher.”
Amsterdam quickly works his way up the ranks of the Nativist crew.
He finds out that each year the Nativists celebrate the victory over the Dead Rabbits. After an...