Gangs of New York (2002 Martin Scorsese)

For a two hour 40 minute film the main plot is pretty thin - man comes back to avenge father. So it's the history that's actually the more fascinating thing, the Five Points and the gangs (and the corruption) culminating in the 1863 Draft Riots in which a mainly Irish mob attacked buildings (in places like Wall Street) and black people.

So it's a wonderfully designed (Dante Ferreti) and costumed (Sandy Powell) picture. Those hats! Filmed at Cinecitta. I do prefer pre-CGI Scorsese. Also has a brilliant soundtrack with all sorts of ethnic music popping up all over the place (and the final credits soundtrack is New York now).

Marty has chosen a welter of British to populate his nasty tale: Daniel Day-Lewis (winning BAFTA), Brendan Gleeson (providing the charisma), Jim Broadbent, Liam Neeson, Gary Lewis, Stephen Graham, Eddie Marsan, Alec McCowen (the priest; Age of Innocence, Frenzy and Travels With My Aunt), David Hemmings, Roger Ashton-Griffiths.

Taking up the Yankee contingent: Leo, Cameron Diaz (good), John C. Reilly.

It's too long, as usual. Written by Jay Cocks (Age of Innocence; the original screenplay, many years before production began), Steven Zaillian and Kenneth Lonergan ('polishing'), based on 1927 non-fiction book by Herbert Asbery. There's lots of slishing, and blood, leavened by some humour.

Did notice the great scene where the newly arrived immigrants are immediately conscripted and as they board the ship we see the coffins coming off it. Also found it funny how Diaz is planning a sea trip to California which is going to take her all the way round the coast of South America and back up to get her there (the Pacific Railroad was constructed between 1863 and 1869; but still, you'd think an overland route involving some train travel would have been much quicker - thus it's there as a joke). And when we follow Diaz Uptown, it's like a different world all of a sudden.

Thelma is doing these interesting little dissolves all over the place. She's also frequently running the film at different speeds. Photographed by Michael Ballhaus (Marty referenced Rembrandt).

Is it just me or does Leo resemble Terry Gilliam in Python make-up?

We wondered if the film as a whole and Howard Shore's rock track (later read that might be Peter Gabriel) in the initial battle inspired Peaky Blinders.

Liked the moment Gleeson reveals he hasn't stooped down to get money off the dead man but rather retrieved his knife.

Leo snogging pickpocket Diaz cues quip "Can I have my penis back?"