Review: 'Gangs of New York' Murders History
WGT's Critic, Finding Accuracy MIA, Revisits Mean Streets
| "America was born in the streets," maintains the publicity for the new Miramax film "Gangs of New York." The movie, pitting a young Irish immigrant against a nativist street boss, does offer an engaging version of the rite of passage for the Irish in America. Manhattan native Vic Olney suggests any resemblance to history is purely coincidental. |
by Vic Olney
New York -- The biggest questions I have directed to me these days is (1) did I see the film "Gangs of New York" and (2) what did I think of it. I have about two dozen e-mails on this and I am sure will be
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Miramax Films
Daniel Day Lewis prepares to lead his gang into a fight in "Gangs of New York." |
receiving / sending more in the near future.
Set -- Great. Actors -- Wonderful. Costuming -- Exotic. Music -- Not Bad. Historical Content - Give me a break!
This is not even close enough to history to start responding. My wife Barbara and I saw the picture together and after it was over she said, "Well, I guess they are going to receive a 9-page letter from you!" (they meaning subscribers to my company's e-mail newsletter subscribers). Not really -- nine pages would not cover their historical trespasses -- and I am not a historian!
The Draft Riots of 1863, a backdrop for the film's most dramatic scenes, has always been one of my favorite subjects ever since I read a book in 1957 titled "July, 1863" by God knows who. I have looked for it in Strand Bookstore and elsewhere for decades to no avail. I would love it if someone has an extra copy lying around -- or direct me to where I might obtain same.
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Miramax Films
Daniel Day Lewis, left, and Leonardo DiCaprio in a scene from "Gangs of New York" |
A little background. I was raised on 26th Street and 3rd Avenue; my mother was raised on 26th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, my Grandmother was raised on 28th Street and 8th Avenue, my Grandfather was born (1883-4?) on 26th and 8th, his mother and father owned a saloon in that area and he and his brothers were the terrors of the neighborhood.
My grandfather's best pals were Oanie Madden and Legs Diamond and he did spend a few nights in The Tombs (prison) as a guest of the City. My grand-uncle, George Gruinwald, was in the 69th (Regiment) in the '30s and was dishonorably discharged for decking some officer who wanted him to take an oath of allegiance because he had German heritage (1938-ish). My mother said he drank himself to death, as the 69th was all he had, died on the Bowery and was buried in Potter's Field. Or so the story goes.
'GANGS OF NEW YORK'
Miramax Films
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio as Amsterdam Vallon
Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill "The Butcher" Cutting
Cameron Diaz as Jenny Everdeane
Jim Broadbent as William "Boss" Tweed
and Liam Neeson as Priest Vallon
Official 'Gangs of New York' website
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So July 1863 was on "my turf." I am glad I got away from that neighborhood -- I now live "far away" at 16th and 1st, my "local" -- The Abbey Tavern - is at 26th and 3rd and I can usually be found at the 69th Regiment Armory at 26th Street and Lexington Avenue. I guess I cannot be characterized as "upwardly
mobile."
Napoleon said it best -- "History is a tale agreed upon." The real action during July 1863 took place at 21st Street and 2nd Avenue -- site of the New York State Armory, which housed a stand of 500 rifles -- the Veteran Volunteers fired cannon from 22nd Street south and blasted the rioters away -- the rioters also invaded Brooks Brothers and Wannamaker's at Astor Place and torched them to the earth -- 1 block from the HQ of the non-combative, overrated and underutilized 7th Regiment (that's another tale).
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THE DRAFT RIOTS
From July 13 to 16, 1863, one of the more regrettable incidents related to Irish-American history took place --the New York City Draft Riots, which furnishes a rich backdrop for the climax to "Gangs of New York."
"Rich man's war, poor man's fight" was the cry of many in the Northern states in 1863, the third year of a war that increasingly reached into every American household.
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The Great Riots of New York
Rioters burning the homes of the rich on Lexington Avenue. |
Fueled by an understandable anger at a draft that encouraged rich men to buy their way out, worried that emancipation of blacks would rob them of their jobs, and egged on by some politicians and Southern agents, many Irish participated in rioting that engulfed the city two days after the draft began. Through the years the story has been told as if only Irish rioted, but in fact many besides the Irish took part, and many Irish soldiers, policemen, fireman, priests and trade unionists were among the most influential in quelling them. Still, it cannot be denied -- a large number of Irish did participate in the burning of a black orphanage and murder of blacks in the city. This unfortunate episode left a lasting stain on the reputation of New York's Irish community. -- J.E. GANNON
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Other points in the conflagration were the "Colored Orphanage" on West 28th Street and the Draft HQ -- commanded by the 69th's Robert Nugent -- as well as at 28th Street and Broadway, where the draftees learned of their fate.
The 69th Armory was then at Essex and Grand Street -- not far from the infamous Five Points -- but the Regiment was still recovering from Gettysburg less than two weeks prior, although I recall reading somewhere that part of the 69th was returned to New York and bivouacked in Madison Square Park -- 26th Street and 5th Avenue; I would suppose that was the 69th of Corcoran's Irish Legion and not the 69th of Meagher's Irish Brigade. The latter went into Gettysburg with only 69 men and 7 Officers and suffered 33 percent casualties, so I don't think 40 men would be a lot of assistance.
If you are a "stitch counter" -- a reenactor or "historian" who lives for minutia -- or one who wishes to savor authentic history, "Gangs Of New York" is not for you. If your team is not in the (NFL) Playoffs, and it is
raining, then it is pretty good Hollywood for a dreary day. Don't bring the kids -- this is Hollywood -- and there are some scenes that are "racy," interjected to sell the flick.
After the theatre emptied, we were the only ones waiting for the plethora of credits, but they went by too fast for these old eyes to grasp. One of Dave Kincaid's songs was heard but I did not see the acknowledgement. I did notice and shouted "Heresy!" at the tune they played at the Nativists' Ball. (The Nativists were anti-Irish, anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant.) It was credited as "Garry Owen's March"!
Need I say any more?
Vic Olney, the proprietor of Tara Hall (http://www.fighting69th.com/),
is a veteran of the 69th New York, and is the volunteer manager of
the armory's Officers Club. Vic has graciously allowed WGT to
reproduce this review, which he previously sent to all on Tara
Hall's e-mail update list. To subscribe to Tara Hall's list, e-mail
Vic at tarahall@earthlink.net. Vic
is also a major force behind behind the Friends of the Active
Battalion, 69th Infantry, which is open to all. For information,
check the Friends'
site.
| GET CAUGHT UP IN 'GANGS'?
Have you seen "Gangs of New York"? What are your opinions of this film, which has gotten reviews that range from outstanding to terrible? You can discuss it with other "critics" from all over the world right now on The Wild Geese Forum.
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RELATED LINKS
Tara Hall, Headquarters for 'Fighting 69th' and Irish Brigade Memorabilia.
"Gangs of New York" Official Website
Another View of "Gangs of New York" from Movies.com
More on Early New York gangs.
WGT Review: 'The Irish Volunteer' Finds Its Bard -- David Kincaid
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"The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld" by Herbert Asbury is a tour through a now unrecognizable city of abysmal poverty and habitual violence cobbled, as Luc Sante has written, "from legend, memory, police records, the self-aggrandizements of aging crooks, popular journalism, and solid historical research." Asbury presents the definitive work on this subject, an illumination of the gangs of old New York that ultimately gave rise to the modern Mafia and its depiction in films like The Godfather. Now a major motion picture directed by Martin Scorsese, buy the book at Powells Books.
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