Where it was filmed 'Gangs of New York'

Mid-19^th century New York was recreated at Cinecittà Studios in 2001, an imposing set designed by the great Dante Ferretti who used the contemporary paintings by George Catlin to bring Five Points, one of the poorest slums in the city, back to life. The private battle of vengeance between “Amsterdam” Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Bill “the Butcher” (Daniel Day-Lewis) unfolds against a background of crime, prostitution, gambling and the violent tussles of criminal gangs to control the territory.

Shooting in New York was impossible given that nothing remained of the ancient city. Ferretti’s work managed to recreate over a mile of the 19^th century city, including Five Points and a part of the East River with harbour and two period ships. The harbour structure was built in a large tank that was filled or emptied according to production requirements and could be used either as a harbour or neighbourhood streets: this provided more space for the fight scenes. Furthermore, the set also recreated a part of old Broadway, the interiors of a church and a saloon, a Fifth Avenue villa, a theatre and a gambling den.