Gangs of New York (2002) | The Five Points (1863)

Gangs of New York (2002) | The Five Points (1863)

From Reel History by Shows What You Know

July 31, 2025 · 1h 9m

About this episode

This episode discusses the film Gangs of New York and its portrayal of the Five Points neighborhood in 1863.

‘Mulberry Street… and Worth… Cross and Orange… and Little Water. Each of the Five Points is a finger. When I close my hand it becomes a fist. And, if I wish, I can turn it against you.’ – Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting Jeeez…chill Bill, we were only asking for directions. We’re all friends here, so join us for the latest episode of Reel History! Clearly, the chillingly charismatic Bill Cutting could never be accused of mincing his words or shying away from confrontation. Portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York (2002), this is one of the actors most iconic on-screen achievements. He delivers up a scene-stealing (glass-eye-tapping) tour de force with rich dialogue and a large serving of gratuitous violence. So far so Scorsese, you might say! Written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian & Kenneth Lonergan, the star-studded cast is complemented by Leonardo DiCaprio’s plucky Amsterdam Valance and Cameron Diaz’s crafty pickpocket Jenny. Filling out the ranks further are comically inept John C. Reilly as Happy Jack and Jim Broadbent’s corrupt kingpin of Tammany Hall Boss Tweed. However, we found that it was Brendan Gleeson’s…

Topics covered

  • Gangs of New York
  • Five Points
  • Bill Cutting
  • Martin Scorsese
  • Daniel Day-Lewis

Keywords

  • history
  • film
  • violence
  • dialogue
  • Irish proverb

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Gangs of New York

Books & works: The Five Points, Reel History, Gangs of New York, Five Points

Places: New York’s, Manhattan, New York, America

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