Performance & Direction: Gangs of New York Review
Last updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Gangs of New York (1938) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Gangs of New York features a noteworthy lineup led by Charles Bickford . Supported by the likes of Ann Dvorak and Alan Baxter , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Gangs of New York
Quick Plot Summary: Gangs of New York is a Crime film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Gangs of New York
Ending Breakdown: Gangs of New York attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Gangs of New York reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Gangs of New York Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Gangs of New York incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Gangs of New York adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Gangs of New York?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Crime films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Gangs of New York
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Gangs of New York Parents Guide & Age Rating
1938 AdvisoryWondering about Gangs of New York age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Gangs of New York is 67 minutes (1h 7m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.9/10, and global performance metrics, Gangs of New York is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1938 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gangs of New York worth watching?
Gangs of New York is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 4.9/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Gangs of New York parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Gangs of New York identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Gangs of New York?
The total duration of Gangs of New York is 67 minutes, which is approximately 1h 7m long.
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Critic Reviews for Gangs of New York
Charles Bickford doubles up nicely here as nasty mob boss "Rocky" and as his cop doppelgänger "Franklin" in this well paced and quite enjoyable crime thriller. Try as they might, the authorities cannot find a way to keep the presently incarcerated "Rocky" in jail, so they resort to swapping him for a lookalike, days before his release from prison, in the hope that the new iteration can help garner evidence to finally put an end to activities of the criminal fraternities running the city with impunity. There is a functional supporting cast to help this short film along, but mainly it's the strong effort from the star that maintains a fair degree of momentum as he must try and manoeuvre friend and foe before his precarious status is discovered by his gal or one of his cohorts. Passes an hour well, this - well worth an hour.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
