"Gangs of New York" unfolds in 1860s lower Manhattan during a period of great unrest in America. With the Civil War underway, the country was torn apart and on the brink of chaos. For the lower-class inhabitants of New York City, a war was also raging closer to their home in the Five Points, one of the poorest neighborhoods in America, where rival gangs fought continuously for control of the streets.

In this time of lawlessness and rampant political corruption, the film follows the story of Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young Irish-American immigrant. Released from prison after fifteen years, he returns to the Five Points bent on revenge against Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), the powerful anti-immigrant gang leader who killed Amsterdam’s father. However, Amsterdam finds his difficulties increasing when he meets Jenny Everdeane (Cameron Diaz), a pickpocket whose fierce independence and undeniable beauty fascinate him, but complicates his plan.

The Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio ... Amsterdam Vallon

Daniel Day-Lewis ... Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting

Cameron Diaz ... Jenny Everdeane

Jim Broadbent ... William 'Boss' Tweed

John C. Reilly ... Happy Jack Mulraney

Henry Thomas ... Johnny Sirocco

Liam Neeson ... 'Priest' Vallon

Brendan Gleeson ... Walter 'Monk' McGinn

The Filmmakers

DIRECTOR
Martin Scorsese

SCREENPLAY BY
Jay Cocks
And Steven Zaillian
And Kenneth Lonergan

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Michael Ovitz
Bob Weinstein
Rick Yorn
Michael Hausman
Maurizio Grimaldi

PRODUCERS
Alberto Grimaldi
Harvey Weinstein

Awards

ACADEMY AWARDS®

Nominations

Best Picture - Alberto Grimaldi, Harvey Weinstein
Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Director - Martin Scorsese
Best Writing, Original Screenplay - Jay Cocks (screenplay/story), Steven Zaillian (screenplay), Kenneth Lonergan (screenplay)
Best Cinematography - Michael Ballhaus
Best Music, Original Song - Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration - Dante Ferretti (art director), Francesca Lo Schiavo (set decorator)
Best Sound - Tom Fleischman, Eugene Gearty, Ivan Sharrock
Best Costume Design - Sandy Powell
Best Editing - Thelma Schoonmaker

BAFTAs

Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis

Nominations

Best Film - Alberto Grimaldi, Harvey Weinstein
David Lean Award for Direction - Martin Scorsese
Best Original Screenplay - Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, Kenneth Lonergan
Best Cinematography - Michael Ballhaus
Best Production Design - Dante Ferretti
Best Sound - Tom Fleischman, Ivan Sharrock, Eugene Gearty, Philip Stockton
Best Costume Design - Sandy Powell
Best Make Up/Hair - Manlio Rocchetti, Aldo Signoretti
Best Editing - Thelma Schoonmaker
Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music - Howard Shore
Best Special Visual Effects - R. Bruce Steinheimer, Michael Owens, Edward Hirsh, Jon Alexander

GOLDEN GLOBES®

Best Director, Motion Picture - Martin Scorsese
Best Original Song, Motion Picture - Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.

Nomimations

Best Motion Picture, Drama
Best Actor, Motion Picture Drama - Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture - Cameron Diaz

AFI AWARDS

Movie of the Year