Gangs Of New York Movie Analysis

Gangs of New York, directed by Martin Scorsese, vividly depicts the experience Irish American immigrants endured when first arriving to New York. This film is a look into the social issues that were rampant in the Five Point neighborhood and America in the mid-19th century. The main points the movie focuses on are intolerance towards Irish immigrants and the Civil War. The tension and discord amongst the citizens of New York from the Five Points would flourish as gangs fought for respect, land, and control.
The authenticity of the films starts with its depiction of Five Points. In the mid-19 century Five Points was a dangerous neighborhood. The citizens of Five Points lived in a community without the presence of a proper police force or any helpful social services. Irish immigrants fought with other immigrants in an effort to cement themselves in America’s social ladder. People who lived in the slums lived a life of chaos, desperation, and periodical violence. Five Points was also an extremely dirty and poorly built neighborhood. These immigrant communities were composed

One of the mistakes in historical accuracy comes from the films depiction of Chinese immigrants. In the film, Chinese Immigrants were shown as if they had their own public venues and an established community. Although there was a presence of Chinese immigrants in the area, the main flow of Chinese immigrants to New York started around 1868. The film also adds a little extra fiction to William Poole’s life. Although in the movie Poole’s fictionalized character is shown dying in a gang fight during the New York City Draft Riots, history tells us the real William Poole died almost eight years earlier. While some of Poole’s life is fictionalized for the sake of the film, Poole did in fact have a vicious feud with the Dead Rabbits