Gangs of New York, is a powerful movie that shows us a time in our history that most Americans are not aware of. A period in the early 1860’s where lower Manhattan’s Five Points is an underbelly of society seeping of corruption and is a dangerous world to live in or survive. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an Irish immigrant named Amsterdam, who comes back to the land of his youth, after spending years in an orphanage. Amsterdam is back to avenge the death of his father the Priest Vallon, who was killed by William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting, played by Daniel Day Lewis. Much like everyone else in the Five Points, Amsterdam quickly finds himself working for the very man he loathes, "Bill the Butcher". As time goes on, Amsterdam is torn between the revenge of his father and the loyalty he has acquired for Bill.
Gangs of New York is one of those films that are full of great performances by some of the most talented actors out there today. Now out in Blu-ray, Gangs of New York looks better than ever. Along with the feature, we have great bonus features to give you an insight in the film and the true history the film is based on.
First up we have a full length commentary track with Martin Scorsese himself. It’s rare for someone of Scorsese’s caliper to actual spend the time to make a commentary track. It’s interesting to listen to Scorsese jump from the true history to the long process of getting the film made and some little tidbits of the film it’s self. This commentary might have been better with someone to help keep Scorsese focuses, but regardless is worth taking the time to listen in.
The bonus features also includes several featurettes from the costume design, the set design and even one of Scorsese walking through the massive sets that were built for the film. All worth watching.
There are also two documentaries on the history of the Five Points. One was made for the DVD and one was created during the time of the film’s released by the Discovery Channel. Both are informative but the one by the Discovery Channel seems to give us the most detail and insight.
The additional features included in this edition, are a teaser, a theatrical trailer and the music video for U2’s song, “The Hands That Built America”. The video is your typical promotional video’s for a film. It’s not U2’s best nor it is there worst.
Gangs of New York is one of the those films you enjoy more and more with each viewing. It’s a long film clocking in at almost 3 hours, but is worth the time. Now with the Blu-ray transfer, it’s a must for anyone who is a Scorsese fan and a fan of epics in general.
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