Gangs of New York (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

If anyone in America wants to understand why the politics is the way the politics is and why the Democrats behave the way they behave this movie right here is going to explain to you why the Democrats are so in favor of immigration and they don't care about illegal immigration and they don't care about social services and giving away EBT and food stamps and all this stuff and they also the Republicans promote War you're going to learn a lot if you watch this movie you may have to watch it two or three times to really get the message but this is a great historical film

I realize that Hollywood is not known for being historically accurate, but this one sets a new low. As a former Civil War reenactor, I found this to be just another example of a movie project that takes contemporary issues, sensibilities, attitudes, mores, and morals, and places them in a completely different time period. Has that over-the-top, sex-and-violence "pushing-the-envelope" routine going on (think Natural Born Killers, Casino, Pulp Fiction, etc.).I will give it two stars however for the cinematography.

This is an excellent movie that is entertaining, but created with historical facts to support it. I first watched it after it was released, then many years later with my 17-year-old daughter who had it on a list of recommended movies for an assignment in her A.P. U.S. History class. We had a very lively discussion afterwards and did a little research to discover some of the real-life truths that helped to support the movie’s story lines. Tammany Hall, Boss Teeed, the Bowery Boy’s, Bill the Butcher, Five Points—all are interwoven to create a gritty, suspenseful movie on just how difficult life was for immigrants in early America.

This remastered edition corrects the image quality issues of the previous edition which had heavy handed use of DNR (digital noise reduction)often eliminating the grain and detail at the same time. Colors pop and detail is remarkably sharp throughout. Audio sounds terrific as well although the previous edition sounded quite good as well. Aside from some minor ringing (particularly when characters are against a white background--doesn't happen too often in this movie though), the presentation looks terrific.We get all the previous special features from the previous edition as well including Martin Scorsese's informed and entertaining commentary track. The special features are still in standard definnition but that's a minor issue--I'm just happy that Touchstone/Disney/Miramax was willing to go back and correct the error with the original mastering.You can tell the remastered vs. the previous edition because the cover picture with the main actors is smaller and bordered by black. The Blu-ray holders also have a sticker on the cover indicating its been remastered.For those interested in the plot--Set in New York in 1846 (during the height of the draft for the Civil War which contributed to a massive violent revolt by the poor which plays a part in the film as well), Leonardo Dicaprio plays Amsterdam Vallon who returns to lower Manhattan seeking revenge against Bill "the Butcher" (Daniel Day Lewis)who killed his father in a confrontation between their respective gangs. To kill Bill Vallon must become close to Bill and infiltrate his gang earning his trust in the process but Vallon finds that his vendetta against Bill gets lost in a much larger conflict between the various gangs of New York to run the city.Amsterdam feels conflicted particularly when Bill takes him under his wing and gains a grudging respect for him despite his brutality. Daniel Day Lewis gives a superb performance as Bill and although Dicaprio's accent varies quite a bit his emotionally complex, conflicted performance adds to the drama as well. When I first saw the film I was surprised at just how good Cameron Diaz could be as an actress as well.A well made flawed film, "Gangs of New York" manages to be involving and director Martin Scorsese crates a vivid recreation of New York before the turn of the century with detailed recreations of teh hovels and mud strewn streets, The film suffers because of a shortened running time (and it runs around 2 hours and 40 minutes but could have easily run an additional 20-30 minutes giving us more background on the conflict between Vallon's father who led the Dead Rabbits and Bill. Then again the action would have taken longer to get to and our main story focusing on the conflict between Vallon and Bill would have taken quite a bit longer to start as well.Even Scorsese's flawed films are stronger than most other directors great films and the ambition of "Gangs of New York" is welcome even if the film can't deliver on all of Scorsese's points. Recommended.

Had to have it in my collection! The main reason for the star subtraction is for Amazon not the movie!!!I just wish that Amazine would let me custom arrange my Video Library instead of only offering by date purchased or alphabetical order. I would prefer to arrange by genre, episode, number in franchise so that I could group my movies together instead of having a hodge podge to sort through!

Quality control on Blu-ray production is apparently not very good. When it freezes a few times it is very annoying. They make thousands of them for next to nothing, sell for top dollar, but can't manage to ensure a good quality product. The film, however, is great! Just don't waste money on a Blu-ray.

If you are a true fan of this film you should really be buying the US import version, it is region free and therefore compatible with all UK blu ray players. Unfortunately the UK version was a very early blu ray release, and though I have not seen it myself and so cannot attest to it, all the expert reviews tell a very poor tale as regards to the quality of the picture transfer. After the poor reception of the original release, the US got a new remastered re-release of the film, but unfortunately this version has still not been released in the uk so unless you get the import UK buyers are lumped with the original rubbish version. Try searching for Gangs of New York [2002] [US Import] on amazon. You will likely have to pay a little extra but boy is it worth it. The picture transfer on the remaster is truly astounding, beautiful colours and great detail, amazing blacks, and no ugly compression artifacts or digital anomalies whatsoever (unlike the UK version). I was constantly blown away by the transfer, even compared to other blu rays. The sound on both versions is the same and fantastic. I cannot recommend the import enough, trust me and pay the extra, it is more than worth it.

Way back there was this film called Titanic. Some lad called Leonardo DiCaprio. Didn't fancy the film and to this day I haven't watched it. Knowing what happens in the film I was already biased against him. Many years later, as I am a fan of Martin Scorsese, I watched Shutter Island. This Leonardo guy plays a blinder in it. So I then saw Body Of Lies and Django Unchained and J.Edgar, The Departed and The Wolf Of Wall Street, am now a loyal fan and lots of other movies, (except Titanic), to track down. Then this one. Scorsese again, that Leonardo chap, Daniel Day-Lewis. I give it a go even though Cameron Diaz is not someone I fancy. Anyway. Bearing in mind I don't like historical movies, I was patient but soon got swept away. Mr DiCaprio does the brooding infiltrator, set on revenge after seeing Daniel Day-Lewis' character murder his father 16 years before, superbly. Cameron Diaz actually does a good job too, still not pretty though - but Daniel Day-Lewis steals the show in mesmerising style. Absolutely electric. Scorsese as masterful as ever, so I am extremely glad that I didn't read about the film properly and actually thought it was going to be present-day gangs!! Boy am I glad I still decided to try it out because it is absolutely fantastic viewing.

This is great it follows the great struggle of the city of New York as it tries to forge it's identity as does the rest of America during this turbulent time period in the countries history. We start with the dead rabbits fighting the American Natives where the Irish gangs leader priest fallen is killed by Bill the butcher the leader of the natives and his son witnesses this and escapes to live in hells gate till his mid 20's where he arrives back to the city he left many a year ago, he plans to exact revenge on mr cutting the man who murdered his father many years earlier but instead becomes almost a son to him and he must then bide his time before making the kill, overall a love this as I did 12 years ago when I first saw it 10/10 for me as it's great to see a forgotten history shown.

It says Blu-ray on the box, it says Blu-ray on the disc and my player recognized it as Blu-ray - but honestly, there were times when I thought I was watching a VHS tape.Apart from that, the film, though not one of Scorsese's top drawer works, is pretty good - better than I remembered it from the cinema. Good array of extras features too.

Quite simply the film is an amazing piece of work. It's Scorsese, what do you expect?If you're thinking of buying this then you've either already seen it or you've been told time and again how good it is. If not, I'll tell you this again, it's an amazing film, get it.Now, the DVD is also pretty good. The quality isn't shoddy unlike some DVD's and it comes with all the usual bits and bobs but also includes some great extras. For example, the interactive tour of the Five Points. Director Martin Scorsese and set designer (who's name I cannot recall, nor find) take you on an interactive tour of the set, commentating all the way with interesting chatter.It's a great product all round and should definately be picked up. Immediately.