Is Gangs of New York based on a true story?

[Kit]

My other half will be horrified if it is - he found it one of the most violent films he's ever seen.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I've not seen it yet but the words 'Based on a true story' nearly always means, 'contains wholly fictional episodes'. One of the worse I can think of is in The Patriot, where the Liverpudlian decendants of the English officer in the film were disgusted that their antecedant has been portrayed as an infantacist. This incident was actually based on a German officer from WWII. It's a dirty old game, the Movies Based In Fact game. I believe they should put 'This movie was inspired by real events' and at least be clear that they've made a lot of it up.

[ravenhair]

There is an element of historical fact in it as far as the existence of rival gangs and the riots and so on; some of the characters are also based on real people. However, it's fair to say that Scorsese took a whole load of artistic licence with the real history of Manhattan.

[mikewith]

Developed rom/ based on a history book called -- get this -- Gangs Of New York. Haven't seen it yet but criticism seems to be more on its length and lax direction than on its historical veracity.New York was a pretty rough place...

[andy hughes]

My favourite actor is Dennis Frantz from 'NYPD Blue' - his depth of character in realising Andy Sipowiz has reduced me to tears on numerous occasions!

[Kit]

Thanks a lot folks! (Still doesn't make me want to see it, though...)