Since the opening of Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York last December, Virtual New York City has received numerous queries from teachers, students, and the general public about the history of Civil War-era New York City. The film has brought to the public awareness of a critical period in the history of the city and the nation. Unfortunately, most of the messages we've received are the result of the film's misrepresentations of the history of New York. As we continue to respond to these e-mails, we have decided to institute this "Gangs of New York: The Errors" feature.

The link above will take you to a list of Web-based interviews and articles--as well as useful print sources--that correct Gangs of New York's depiction of the history of the Five Points, nineteenth-century gangs, politics, the Civil War in New York, the draft riots, and more. This site also includes the most comprehensive interpretive account of the 1863 draft riots on the Web as part of a larger archive/presentation on disasters in New York history.

We also have contacted leading scholars on New York City history to collect their "favorite" mistakes in the film. As responses come in, they will be posted on the linked page.

Rather than merely listing the errors in Gangs of New York, we hope that this feature will foster conversation and debate about New York City's past and the way it has been presented on film. While Gangs of New York is not presented as a documentary, the questions we have received suggest that clarification on many of the movie's points is needed. You may send feedback and questions to Virtual New York by clicking here.