Gangs of New York is about the gangs that populated the 5 Points in the late 1840's in New York, a forgotten era of American history. It is filled with artistic detail which you will see for yourself shortly. I must outline that it contains violence, especially the scene that I have decided to present to you as a class and I emphasize the word "violence". We are all mature enough to view what is about to be shown. Before we begin, I must also outline that because of choosing this film and footage, I am in no way glorifying war or death...

*As the movie begins, Priest Vallon is shaving in a dark and gloomy room. The surroundings are silent and the only thing that can be heard is the sound of Vallon shaving. The darkness of the room and the silence almost gives a feeling of solitude and fearlessness.

*As the boy emerges from th e shadows, music starts playing. A depressing, slow tune which is very powerful! While the priest passes the son the blade, the music gives a slight impression that something bad is going to happen, or as if the father knows that he won't come back and is passing his final words of wisdom to his son.

*The facial expression of Bill Cutting before the fight broke out looked as if he was trying to hold back a smile as he was pulling out his weapons whilst talking. This is before a masacre that he was going to take part in. This clearly shows how evil he is.

*The way the camera moves, slowly showing many scenes. Giving the audience a good look at how they lived, the environment around them.

*Starts with the "Dead Rabbits" coming out onto the feild of fate and death. It is dead silent! An uncomfortable silence that we know right away, things are not going to be good.

People leave and go back home, return to normality. THe camera starts to zoom away as if to que us for something else and to signify an end. IT seems as if people try to think that it never occured as they walk away...

Some topics in this essay:
SECTION TWO-Battle, Bill Cutting, Priest Vallon, Dead Rabbits, Gangs York, Bill CDutting, EXIT People, TONE VOICE, SECTION ONE-Father, SECTION THREE-Blood, fight scene, *the music, vallon shaving, pounding music, gangs york,