A modern classic gangster movie is airing on TV tonight

A Modern Classic Gangster Movie Airing Tonight

Tonight's TV movie pick (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 orphaned Irish-American in 19th-century New York City. He returns to the Five Points neighborhood to seek revenge on William ‘Bill the Butcher’ Cutting (Day-Lewis), the violent anti-immigrant gang leader who killed 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

The film was a long-standing passion project for Scorsese but faced a difficult production process, running over schedule and budget. Reports also mention producer Harvey Weinstein insisting on cuts, with rumors of a longer, unreleased version that might more fully reflect Scorsese’s original vision.

Key Cast

Author’s summary: Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York remains a landmark gangster film featuring a powerful revenge story set in 19th-century New York amidst turbulent production history.

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JOE JOE — 2025-11-08

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