A Great One

Rating: Null/10 (25 December 2002)

Gangs of New York is a very powerful historical drama done on a grand scale. It chronicles a little-known period of deep violent social disturbance during the mid 19th century in New York City, a disturbing time that is usually treated in American history education as a footnote overshadowed by stories of the American Civil War. But the gangs and anti-draft riots of New York are real history, and this film forces it into our face and makes us see, hear, and feel the time. It also illustrates the relation between microcosmic problems (of everyday life) and the larger problems of American society and the American state, in much the same way that the novel King Rat did years ago. It is a remarkable film, a great one, a gift to Americans about their past. It must have been a lot of work to make, and all those involved deserve congratulations.