The film was primarily shot on a specially constructed set that recreated parts of Lower Manhattan in the 1860s, allowing for full control over crowd scenes, gang clashes, and street details. The story follows a young man returning to a violent neighborhood to confront a group linked to his father's death, set against a backdrop of political corruption, immigration conflicts, and Civil War-era unrest.

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios (Built New York Soundstage)

In the Movie

Scene where the constructed Five Points-style streets and surrounding blocks were used for key gang territory scenes, including public brawls and large crowds; the controlled soundstage environment also allowed for a cemetery-edge shot with visual effects showing the changing New York skyline over time.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a major film studio in Rome with extensive soundstages and backlots, historically used for large-scale productions; here they build entire streets, control lighting, and heavily decorate sets to recreate the era.