There are a lot of gangster movies and TV shows out there. Most are set here in the USA, where both real-life mobsters (like Al Capone) and made-up ones (like the Corleone family) have made for great stories. But organized crime can be anywhere. Today I hope to introduce Peaky Blinders, the best gangster show you've likely not watched. It's been a big deal in the UK (it's produced by the BBC) but doesn't seem to have made huge inroads here in the US despite its quality. Btw, this is as spoiler free as possible.
The Peaky Blinders are a working class gang based in Birmingham, England immediately following WWI. This version of the gang is fictional though there was a real group with the name. Series One takes place in 1919 and the rest (so far) has eclipsed the 1920s. Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK and manufacturing home during the country's industrial revolution, is the perfect setting for this family on the rise. The primary members are three brothers and their aunt, who in addition to their working class origins are also half gypsy to add another stigma in England's more class-structured society. Those brothers are just back from the western front and they'll never forget it, with the ordeal bonding them to each other and to their neighbors in the trenches in a way that in essence expanded their family. These tightened bonds led to the rise of their criminal organization, which at first involves only a small part of town where they run protection and a gambling ring on small-time horse races. Though they don't have much, yet, they dress the part. Members of the Peaky Blinders wear long dark trench coats, which are nice but still appear industrial, and flat caps, with their hair shaved anywhere underneath. Their hats are also weapons, hiding razor blades, and give the gang its name.
Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, is the middle brother, the outfit's leader and its master strategist. Each series he seizes an opportunity before them and strikes a plan to move himself and his family up in the world. He's remarkably good at this and sees everything (well almost) that's coming for them, springing traps and sidestepping all sorts of danger. Usually the schemes require overtaking at least one rival (a gang or something similar) and another prominent, often historically based, opponent. The historical connections, though regularly tenuous, were unsurprisingly a draw from the start.
To me the show breaks up pretty well into two parts of three series, or seasons, each. The first three are grouped as the Shelby family rises from humble origins. In S1 (2013) they need to outmaneuver a street-smart and brutal inspector (Sam Neill) sent to investigate the disappearance of stolen machine guns. Tommy's plan for growth navigates the breadth of British politics at the time, including the IRA and Communists and the involvement of Winston Churchill himself, which is bogus but still fun. In S2 (2014), with Birmingham secured, the Peaky Blinders set their sights on London. Here they face a more formidable rival organization and make a shaky alliance with the local Jewish mob (led by Tom Hardy) in trying to seize a few well-to-do establishments. S3 (2016) sees the eruption of a long simmering feud with well-connected Italians and a deal-with-the-devil with newly arrived 'White Russians.' This family of aristocrats fled the Soviet Union after defeat in the Russian Civil War and may be useful, but they're also the most crazy and dangerous people the Shelbys have met so far due to their political situation and general disposition. Up to this point the best relation I can make for this show is Ocean's 11. Tommy has a plan and you don't know what it all entails. Suddenly everything happens and it's a sight to behold. The difference is nothing goes so flawlessly. There's considerably more difficulty, and loss.
Series 4 and 5 are a break from the feeling of at least partial control. The Shelby rise brought all sorts of problems, some external and some internal. In S4 they face the onslaught of a true Italian vendetta, the result of a killing in a previous season. The familial bonds that provided strength originally are meanwhile wearing thin, again the result of all that's happened. Tommy himself struggles to keep it all straight and goes to dark places with increasing frequency. Even so, he keep strategizing and playing politics with surprising effectiveness in reaction to outside forces. S5 is a continuation of this. The stock market crash of 1929 is devastating and they essentially need to start over. Communist agitation, by now old news, gives way to the rise of fascism, an entirely new type of threat. What else is there to climb? Who else can be conquered? These last two series can be downright depressing at points though the overall arc remains fascinating. It's not a perfect comp but here I'm reminded of the later seasons of Breaking Bad, with the protagonist spiraling yet surviving and you're really not sure what to root for.
The best aspect of this show is its tremendous density and pacing. There are only six episodes per series (30 total so far) and its sometimes mind-boggling how much happens each hour. Season on season escalation is real and somehow the scale keeps growing. The politics involved are complicated, cleverly used and seemingly realistic. There's no wasted time or worthless conversations. I so appreciate that people actually talk off-screen and make decisions without the viewers needing to be a part of each step. The drama is well earned but not overly dwelled upon. And you're consistently surprised with the events as they unfold. The next best part is the style. I've yet to tire of the group walking in slow motion, especially through their industrial home base in Birmingham. The fitting theme song comes in at big moments and other music is well utilized elsewhere. Cillian Murphy proves that he can absolutely carry a series and is a fitting leading man, though I honestly do not understand how someone can smoke that many cigarettes. Even though the main cast is incredible, the guest stars (one season only, or limited roles over several seasons) regularly steal the show. Besides Sam Neill and Tom Hardy mentioned above, there's also Adrien Brody, Aiden Gillen, Anya Taylor-Joy and more. A ton of talent. Before we go, it can't be forgotten that this is through-and-through a gangster show. There's considerable violence and language and sex. I wouldn't recommend this if you can't, or don't want to, handle that.
As for how it all ends, we get to find out this year. S6 is about to broadcast on the BBC starting this week and will release on Netflix (where S1-5 exist already) in the US shortly after, probably in April. There's a trailer I wouldn't recommend watching unless you're caught up. I'm guessing a couple of my friends will be interested in this one.
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