Amsterdam Vallon

**Amsterdam Vallon** is the titular main protagonist of Martin Scorsese's 2002 historical drama film, *Gangs of New York*. He is the son of the Irish Catholic street gang, the Dead Rabbits' leader, "Priest" Vallon, who after he is murdered by rival gang leader, Bill Cutting, Amsterdam swears revenge.

He was portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, who also played Howard Hughes in *The Aviator*, Billy Costigan in *The Departed*, Teddy Daniels in *Shutter Island*, Jordan Belfort in *The Wolf of Wall Street* and Ernest Burkhart in *Killers of the Flower Moon*. As a child, he was portrayed by Cian McCormack.

## Biography

### Early life

"Amsterdam" Vallon was born in Five Points, Manhattan to Irish immigrants during the late 1830's. His mother died when he was young, while his father, only known as "Priest" led the Irish Catholic street gang, the Dead Rabbits.

### 1846

During the winter of 1846, a gang battle begins between the Dead Rabbits and the English Protestant street gang, the Confederation of American Natives, led by the cruel but honorable, William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting. Ultimately, Cutting stabs Priest Vallon, and just before he puts him out of his misery, Vallon speaks to Amsterdam. Cutting's men attempt to take away Amsterdam, however, Amsterdam threatens the men with the knife that belonged to his father and runs off, where he is then taken to an orphanage orphanage on Blackwell's Island.

### 1862

IN 1862, a now adult Amsterdam returns to Five Points to get revenge on Bill, as well as to retrieve his father's knife. Amsterdam reunites with former Dead Rabbit, Johnny Sirocco, who informs him that Bill now controls all gangland territory in Five Points. Amsterdam introduces himself to Bill through Johnny, but keeps his past a secret in order to insure his plans of getting revenge. While on the streets, Amsterdam meets con artist and pickpocket, Jenny Everdeane, who he becomes infatuated with. Eventually, Amsterdam becomes Bill's protégé and plans to murder Bill during the annual celebration of Bill's murder of Vallon's father. Amsterdam also saves Bill from an assassination attempt and dreads the idea that he's beginning to respect Bill.

During the celebration, Amsterdam attempts to murder Bill, after he begins a knife throwing act with Jenny, by throwing a knife at him, but fails, to which Bill then throws another knife at Amsterdam, injuring him. Bill proceeds to beat Amsterdam, as well as burn his cheek with a hot blade. Amsterdam goes into hiding with Jenny, who begs Amsterdam to flee and live a peaceful life in San Francisco, however, Amsterdam instead returns to Five Points and hangs a dead rabbit in Paradise Square in front of several other Irish gangs that were allied with the Dead Rabbits.

Former Dead Rabbit turned police officer, Happy Jack Mulraney is sent to investigate Amsterdam's hideout, but he is killed by Amsterdam, who hangs his body in the square. In retaliation, Bill has Johnny stabbed with a pike, leaving Amsterdam to put him out of his misery in front of Jenny. Afterwards, Amsterdam becomes involved in Monk McGinn's election for sheriff which causes conflict as Tweed, a corrupt politician associated with Bill loses, to which Bill promises a battle to commence against him and the Dead Rabbits.

During the battle between the Natives and the Dead Rabbits, cannons from ships belonging to the Union Army fire towards Paradise Square due to the Civil War draft riots. Many of the gang members die, leaving Bill and Amsterdam to a face off. After injuring Bill with a shrapnel, Amsterdam murders Bill with his father's knife. As a sign of respect, Amsterdam buries Bill directly next to his father's grave in a cemetery in Brooklyn.

## Trivia

* Amsterdam is partially based on the real life politician, John Morrissey.
* Amsterdam's real name is never revealed as in the script for the film, it claims that Vallon is only "known as Amsterdam" by his peers.