<P> Inspired by Herbert Asbury's 1928 non-fiction book, The Gangs of New York, Scorsese spent twenty years developing the project until in 1999 Harvey Weinstein and his production company Miramax Films acquired the project and produced and distributed the film . Made in Cinecittà, Rome and in New York, the film's principal photography lasted from August 30, 2000 and continued through April 14, 2001 . The film was completed by 2001, but was delayed for a year following the September 11 attacks and Scorsese picking up addition reshoots . </P> <P> Gangs of New York was released on December 20, 2002 and grossed $193 million worldwide against its $100 million budget . The film received positive reviews from critics for Day - Lewis' performance, Scorsese's directing, the production design and costumes, but earned criticism towards the writing . At the 75th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for ten Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Scorsese), Best Actor (Day - Lewis), and Best Original Screenplay; though it did not win any award . </P> <P> In the slum neighborhood of Five Points, Manhattan in 1846, two gangs have engaged in a final battle (or "challenge") in Paradise Square over "who holds sway over the Five Points"; these two factions involved in this event are the nativist, Protestant "Natives" led by William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting, and the Irish Catholic group of immigrants, the "Dead Rabbits", led by "Priest" Vallon . At the end of this battle, Bill kills Vallon and declares the Dead Rabbits outlawed . Having witnessed this, Vallon's young son hides the knife that killed his father and is taken to an orphanage on Blackwell's Island . </P> <P> Sixteen years later, Vallon's son, using the alias of Amsterdam, returns to the Five Points seeking revenge and retrieves the knife . An old acquaintance, Johnny Sirocco, familiarizes him with the local clans of gangs and thieves, all of whom pay tribute to Bill, who controls the neighborhood . Amsterdam is finally introduced to Bill, but keeps his past a secret, seeking to be recruited . He learns that many of his father's former loyalists are now in Bill's employ . Each year, Bill celebrates the anniversary of his victory over the Dead Rabbits; Amsterdam plans to murder him secretly during this celebration . </P>

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