Gangs of New York (2002) poster10

United States10 Essential American FilmsStop 10 of 10

Gangs of New York

2002 · 168 min · Drama

In the violent, teeming Five Points of 1860s Manhattan, a young Irish immigrant infiltrates the gang of the ruthless nativist boss who murdered his father, biding his time for revenge as the Civil War draft riots loom. Martin Scorsese's sprawling historical epic.

Why it’s here

Scorsese’s American historical epic makes the Five Points, immigration, nativism, and Civil War-era New York its complete social world.

Runtime
168 min
Genre
Drama · History · Crime
Mood
tense · thoughtful · dark
Entry
challenging
Best for
character-driven drama

Content notes: war or political violence · violence or threat Non-exhaustive

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Part of 10 Essential American Films

This film is stop 10 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through United States. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

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