MovieChat Forums > An American Tail (1986) Discussion > Gangs of New York

Gangs of New York

posted 16 years ago by dr-b-2
8 replies | jump to latest

Recently I watched Gangs of New York for a film study and then last night I watched An American Tail for the first time since I was little and I noticed a lot of similarities: Fivel resembles Amsterdam Vallon, Tony is similar to Johnny, Bridget is Jenny, "Honest John" is Boss Tweed the way they both cared most about votes (although they were different people in reality), The mice are the dead rabbits taking on the Cats, the "natives". Did any one else notice this or am I just thinking too much.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MetFanMac 16 years ago

I agree with CashandMuscles, you're overthinking it. Both movies are just set in 19th century New York. That's all.

Supermodels...spoiled stupid little stick figures mit poofy lips who sink only about zemselves.

[–] grrrdevin 16 years ago

Honest John is supposed to be a loose parody of Boss Tweed.

"I've been living on toxic waste for years, and I'm fine. Just ask my other heads!"

[–] dan_marsala 16 years ago

And maybe this movie talk about a little russian mouse, but theres a lot in comon betwen this movie and the history of the New York City actions in the 1860 Civil War. The cats simbolise the conflicts from whom the Irish were escaping of. They thought they were leaving their problems behind when they imigrate to New York City...and what did they find?? A lot of other cats wating (discrimination, poverty and a government that send them to the dead), and thats why Monk said "That war is a thousand years old and more. We never expected it to follow us here. It was waiting for us when we landed".

BEND YOUR HARMS TO LOOK LIKE WINGS!!-Funeral For A Friend

[–] RustyShacklefurd 16 years ago

dr-b-2,

You're totally right. I also saw An American Tail when I was a little kid and when I saw Gangs of New York my first thought was that it was pretty much just a live-action remake of An American Tail with people instead of mice and cats.

[–] IceboxMovies 15 years ago

I love it when filmmakers make movies about the Gilded Age; it may be a boring history subject, but it can make for great cinema. Spielberg/Bluth/Goldman did it with this film, as did Scorsese with GONY.

"What I don't understand is how we're going to stay alive this winter."

[–] SAVA1224 14 years ago

I totally saw the parallels, really more just in the historic settings of both stories and how they were presented, both were relatively accurate and full of emotion

[–] fang123horn 12 years ago

Honestly I think it is a great double feature to be honest, they both have the same themes and historical setting.