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Movies & TV

22nd Jul 2015

CULT FICTION: Six reasons why everyone should watch Peaky Blinders

Add it to your list

Carl Kinsella

peaky blinders

Add it to your list.

Every week we are choosing one TV show that deserves your attention because time is precious and there are some stunning shows available to watch.

This week it’s the thrilling Peaky Blinders.

1) What’s it about?

The Peaky Blinders, a small gang that run the streets of Birmingham in the aftermath of the Great War. The gang is led by Thomas Shelby, an exceptionally bright and violent man who is revered as a war hero for his role as a tunneller.

It’s Tommy’s ambition to remove all competition in the book-making market, allowing him to establish a legitimate monopoly. He believes the gang can only accomplish this through violence and deceit.

All the while, Tommy and his family are pursued by a ruthless Northern Irish policeman, Major Chester Campbell. Campbell, a pious, sadistic man, has been sent to Birmingham to wrest control of the city back from the Peaky Blinders, and he’ll stop at nothing to do just that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4XcvEU2Du4

2) It’s almost like…

Boardwalk Empire on speed. With only six episodes in each of the two seasons so far, Peaky Blinders gives the viewer much more action-per-minute than any other period drama.

3) It’s worth your time because…

There is no show that can boast a better return on investment. At 12-episodes, the show is short enough to binge watch over a weekend. When you think that some shows cram 23 episodes into one season, Peaky Blinders is like watching your average show in a particle accelerator.

As soon as you grow to love the characters, the show wastes no time putting them in danger, taking full control of your body’s adrenaline output. Peaky Blinders is something you watch sitting up as opposed to lying down.

The show also boasts well-written, strong female characters, an unblinking look at the damage that war has done to the young men of Britain and a career-best performance from Cork actor Cillian Murphy in the lead role.

4) Did you know…?

The soundtrack to Peaky Blinders is made up mostly by modern artists. The show features tracks by Arctic Monkeys, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Black Keys and Royal Blood.

5) One episode and you’re hooked…

From the moment that Major Chester Campbell viciously beats Tommy’s unarmed brother in the first episode, you’re dying to see the man get his comeuppance and for the Peaky Blinders to succeed.

6) If the show was a person…

Roy Keane. A man embroiled in a fierce hunt for glory, moving with a subtle stoicism punctuated by violent outbursts. Always a step ahead of his many enemies, always in control. A great character for our time. If Cillian Murphy gets waylaid by Hollywood, they would do well to draft in Keano to carry on in the role of Tommy Shelby.

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Topics:

Cult Fiction