Birmingham’s infamous criminal underworld has become internationally recognised through the television series “Peaky Blinders“. While the show has drawn millions of viewers with its dark portrayal of gang culture following the First World War, there exists a considerable gap between the fictional narrative and historical reality. The actual Peaky Blinders operated in the 1890s, substantially earlier than the post-war setting depicted on screen.
The dramatised version presents a sophisticated criminal enterprise led by the fictional Shelby family, but history tells a different story. Birmingham’s genuine gang landscape consisted primarily of young men engaged in localised crime rather than the elaborate operations seen in the series. Though the programme incorporates authentic elements of Birmingham’s industrial character and post-war atmosphere, many aspects including the distinctive fashion and specific geographical representations have been substantially enhanced for dramatic effect.
The Authentic Birmingham of the 1920s
Economic Landscape and Working-Class Experience
Birmingham’s industrial foundation faced considerable challenges following the Great War. The city’s manufacturing sectors, particularly metal trades and motor vehicle production, experienced significant fluctuations with periods of workforce reduction throughout the decade.
The typical Brummie labourer resided in cramped terraced housing, with entire streets sharing outdoor toilet facilities and water sources. Such living arrangements were especially common in densely populated neighbourhoods like Small Heath, where basic amenities remained scarce.
A skilled worker might earn £2-3 weekly, barely sufficient for essential needs. Many families relied on additional income from women and children, who often completed piecework at home to make ends meet.
The distinctive local accent and vocabulary—marked by dropped ‘h’s and phrases such as “tara a bit” for farewell—served as strong identifiers of Birmingham heritage. Social stratification remained pronounced, with clear demarcation between working-class districts and the more comfortable suburbs.
Genuine Birmingham Street Gangs
Several territorial groups operated throughout Birmingham during this period, though their operations were considerably more modest than later dramatisations suggest. Notable factions included:
| Gang Name | Primary Territory | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Brummagem Boys | Inner city | Protection rackets, territorial disputes |
| Sloggers | Central districts | Illegal betting, neighbourhood control |
These groups typically distinguished themselves through practical workwear—heavy boots, woollen mufflers and flat caps—rather than the embellished accessories often portrayed in fiction. Their confrontations involved improvised weapons like belt buckles and boots rather than firearms.
Most gang members maintained regular employment in factories, using illicit activities merely to supplement their wages. Their operations focused on basic street-level enterprises rather than complex criminal networks.
Birmingham’s police force developed specialist units to monitor these groups, employing plainclothes officers and local informants. Official records document intermittent violent clashes, particularly around pub closing times when territorial disputes frequently erupted.
Unlike their romanticised counterparts, these gangs lacked sophisticated hierarchies or political connections, functioning instead as loose associations bound by neighbourhood ties and shared circumstances.
The Creation of Peaky Blinders
The BBC’s Production Journey
Peaky Blinders emerged in 2012 when the BBC commissioned Steven Knight to bring his vision to screens across Britain. Knight crafted the narrative from family tales of Birmingham’s post-war gangsters, weaving historical elements with dramatic storytelling. The production team transformed locations in northern England, with Liverpool and Manchester serving as convincing stand-ins for early 20th century Birmingham.
The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley became a signature filming location, providing authentic industrial-era backdrops that transported viewers to 1920s Birmingham. This attention to period detail established the show’s distinctive visual identity.
Initially broadcast on BBC Two, the drama’s growing popularity eventually earned it a prime spot on BBC One from the fifth series onward. The production’s cinematic quality set new standards for television drama, featuring:
- Distinctive slow-motion sequences
- Contemporary music against period settings
- Gritty, atmospheric cinematography
Cillian Murphy’s Transformation and Family Dynamics
Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby stands as the dramatic centre of Peaky Blinders. His preparation for the role was extraordinarily thorough:
| Aspect of Preparation | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical transformation | Lost significant weight to achieve the gaunt look of a traumatised WWI veteran |
| Accent work | Collaborated with dialect coaches to master the Birmingham accent |
| Historical research | Studied accounts of war veterans to understand post-traumatic stress |
The ensemble cast surrounding Murphy created a believable family unit that anchored the series. Helen McCrory delivered a powerhouse performance as Aunt Polly, the family matriarch whose wisdom and fierce protection of the Shelbys provided emotional depth to the narrative.
Paul Anderson’s volatile Arthur Shelby, Sophie Rundle’s Ada Shelby and the performances of other family members established complex characters whose relationships evolved throughout the series. Natasha O’Keeffe’s portrayal of Lizzie Stark added further emotional complexity to Tommy’s world.
The cast’s dedication to historical authenticity whilst maintaining dramatic tension allowed viewers to connect with characters despite their morally questionable activities in the criminal underworld of Birmingham.
Fact vs Fiction in Peaky Blinders
Historical Accuracies and Creative Interpretation
The BBC’s Peaky Blinders has captivated audiences worldwide with its gritty portrayal of Birmingham’s criminal underworld. However, the show takes considerable liberties with historical facts. The actual Peaky Blinders gang operated primarily in the 1890s, not the 1920s as depicted in the series. This thirty-year shift allows the narrative to incorporate post-WWI themes but significantly alters the historical context.
Tommy Shelby and his family are fictional creations, though they draw inspiration from real gangsters of the era. The programme exaggerates the social mobility available to working-class criminals, with the Shelbys’ rapid rise from street thugs to legitimate business owners representing a dramatic rather than historical reality.
Perhaps most notably, the signature razor blades supposedly sewn into caps likely never existed in this form. Historical evidence suggests the gang’s name stemmed from their sharp dress sense rather than weaponised headwear.
Professor Chinn’s Findings and Genuine Historical Figures
Historian Professor Carl Chinn has thoroughly documented Birmingham’s gangland history, revealing substantial differences between fact and fiction. His research shows the real Peaky Blinders lacked the sophisticated organisation portrayed on screen, instead functioning as loosely connected young men from deprived backgrounds engaged in localised crime.
Billy Kimber, who features prominently in the show, did exist but operated quite differently:
| TV Portrayal | Historical Reality |
|---|---|
| Birmingham-based crime lord | Operated primarily in London |
| Direct rival to the Shelbys | Connected to the Birmingham Boys |
| Controlled local racecourses | Influential across southern England’s racing circuit |
Chinn’s work identifies the Brummagem Boys and Sloggers as the truly dominant criminal organisations of the period, groups that receive minimal attention in the televised narrative.
Speech Patterns and Social Representation
The series takes significant liberties with the Brummie accent and dialect. Characters speak with inconsistent pronunciation that rarely captures authentic Birmingham speech patterns of the early 20th century. Though the show employs period-specific terminology, linguists note much of the dialogue represents modern interpretations rather than historically accurate speech.
The portrayal of Roma heritage through the Shelby family incorporates some authentic elements:
- Accurate: Connection to horse trading and marginalisation
- Embellished: Mystical aspects and certain cultural stereotypes
Where Peaky Blinders achieves considerable authenticity is in its visual representation of industrial Birmingham. The smoky factories, cramped housing and stark class divisions effectively capture the city’s physical and social landscape during this turbulent period. This atmospheric recreation helps ground the fictional narrative in a recognisable historical setting despite the liberties taken with characters and events.
Social Impact and Cultural Reception
Public Views and Media’s Role
The cultural phenomenon of “Peaky Blinders” has dramatically shifted how Birmingham’s history is perceived globally. This television drama has created a fascinating dichotomy between historical reality and fictional entertainment, often prioritising dramatic storytelling over complete historical accuracy.
Tourism in Birmingham and the West Midlands has flourished, with dedicated “Peaky Blinders” walking tours becoming a staple attraction. The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley has experienced particular benefit, with visitor numbers rising by nearly a third since its appearance as a filming location.
Fashion trends have been notably influenced, with the characteristic flat caps and 1920s attire experiencing remarkable resurgence in contemporary style. This “Peaky effect” extends beyond clothing into music, art installations and themed events across Britain.
Many viewers first encountered Birmingham poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah through his acting role in the series, introducing his artistic work to new audiences who might otherwise have remained unfamiliar with his literary contributions.
Effect on Contemporary Birmingham and Dudley
Local residents hold mixed feelings about their cities’ portrayal. Many Brummies embrace the newfound interest in their local history, whilst others express valid concerns about the glorification of what was genuinely a period of hardship and street violence.
The economic benefits have been substantial:
- Themed establishments throughout Birmingham and Dudley
- Significant merchandise sales featuring the distinctive aesthetic
- Increased bookings at historical venues for private events
- Growth in international tourism specifically targeting filming locations
Local councils have worked to harness this cultural capital whilst providing historical context that distinguishes fact from fiction. The actual “Peaky Blinders” gang engaged primarily in street crime and gambling rather than the elaborate criminal enterprises depicted on screen.
Birmingham’s universities report heightened interest in courses examining local history and social conditions of post-war Britain. This academic engagement offers a valuable counterbalance to the dramatised version, encouraging deeper understanding of the economic and social factors that contributed to gang formation in early 20th century industrial cities.
Photo by Mhajr Invincible: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-talking-to-a-group-of-men-in-coats-and-hats-19230021/
