University Media Analysis: Peaky Blinders Television Show Report

This report provides a detailed analysis of the television show Peaky Blinders, examining six key aspects of its film presentation. The analysis begins with an overview of the show's mise-en-scène, focusing on its depiction of post-World War I Britain, industrial settings, and period-specific props, including clothing, vehicles, and war flashbacks, alongside the use of dark lighting and camera angles to enhance the grim atmosphere. The report then delves into the show's zeitgeist, highlighting its effective capture of the 1920s' moral, cultural, and intellectual climate, particularly through the character of Tommy Shelby and the representation of class struggles and political environments. The concept of canon is explored, with the report discussing how the show is perceived by fans as a portrayal of marginalized communities and the struggles of various ethnic gangs. Further, the analysis covers the show's flow, emphasizing its smooth and intriguing storylines, effective transitions, and the use of various camera techniques to enhance the narrative. The modes of address are examined, focusing on the use of colloquialisms, various languages, and literary quotes to connect with the audience. Lastly, the report explores cross-cultural flows, highlighting the depiction of Gypsy, Chinese, Jewish, Italian, and Russian cultures, and how these interactions contribute to the plot development and social structures of the time. The report concludes with a list of references used in the analysis.

Running head: ASSIGNMENT 4: PEAKY BLINDERS
ASSIGNMENT 4: PEAKY BLINDERS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ASSIGNMENT 4: PEAKY BLINDERS
The study focuses on evaluating the television show, Peaky Blinders with regard to six
important aspects that guide its film presentation. The show has been selected as the source for
analysis due to its popularity over the 5 seasons released till now. The series is a period crime
drama that is created by Steven King. The producer is Katie Swinden. Six directors have been
engaged in directing the various parts of the series (Peaky Blinders). The series is discussed in
consideration of its relation to the following aspects.
1. Mise en scene- mise-en-scene means the arrangement of the props, scenery and other
important elements that cab seen on the screen at the given time. Peaky Blinders is set in the
1920s. The mise-en-scene pre-dominantly shows the imagery of the post first world war Britain.
The props include dresses of soldiers, workers, fashionable ladies dresses from the 1920s and
men’s suits of the same era. The mise-en-scene constantly reminds of the somewhat dark period
that existed in England at the time. Moreover, the setting of the show is in Birmingham, a highly
industrial city of the country at that time. Hence, focus is also on depicting the industrial life with
smoke coming out of the industrial chimneys and the canals that were used as an important
means of transport between Birmingham and the other cities. The mise-en-scene is replete with
car models that were popular in the 1920s. The lower-middle-class and working class
neighbourhoods of England. In various scenes war is shown as flashbacks. The scenes show men
in uniforms and guns. 1st world war tunnels are shown to provide an authentic picture of the war
the preceded the times (Shine). The lighting is kept dark to provide a grim look. The space
factors are large with camera placements depicting the aggressive moods of the times.
2. Zeitgeist- This is an important factor in the series as the show is a period crime drama. The
1920s were not pleasant times for the English working classes. It succeeded the First World War
where many working class people lost their lives, fighting for Britain. Zeitgeist means capturing
the essence of a time period. In doing the same Peaky Blinders is able to effectively capture the
moral, cultural and intellectual climate of the era. The main protagonist Tommy Shelby is a gand
leader who embodies the essence of the gangs that were present in England at the times. The
class struggles of England at the times and the political environment are given much importance
in the plot of the series. The plot of the different seasons have significant connections with the
prevalent political and social conditions of the times. Zeitgeist is an important element of the
entire show as it depicts the entire era in light of the entire story. All the characters are designed
to represent the social aspects that governed the time.
3. Cannon- The fans of the series consider it to be the canon of the gangs that were present
during the 1920s in England. Cannon refers to the actual happenings according to the viewers
and fans of a certain show. According to a large number of viewer Peaky Blinders shows the
struggle of the marginalized minorities of the country. In consideration of the same, the Peaky
Blinders are shown to be from a half-gypsy background. The cannon is that the struggle for the
survival of the greatly marginalized gypsy community of England is shown through the crime
drama. Many gypsy gangs existed at that time. They needed to struggle to represent themselves
in the country. They were not given any social status at the time and many took to criminal
activities. Another canon is that the struggle for power between the various minorities in the
country at the time is depicted. The gangs include Italian, Jewish, Gypsy as well as some local
working class English and Scottish gangs. The show in a way depicts a culturally diverse
criminal world.

2ASSIGNMENT 4: PEAKY BLINDERS
4. Flow- The flow of the scenes depend on the plots of the different seasons of the series.
However, the general flow of the storylines are smooth and intriguing. The story at times flow
through a slightly lower speed in accordance of the various aspects that are depicted in the
stories. It is seen that the transition from one frame to the other is done in a way that a fair
amount of suspense factor is maintained. The flow between different sequences are effectively
planned in order to align them with the flow of the stories. The imagery and the cinematography
have been effectively planned to represent the flow of the storyline (Shaviro). Various types of
camera techniques are utilized to improve the flow of the show. It is important to note that the
presentation of the story sequences become more effective due to the smooth flow of the show.
For the larger part, the flow remains uninterrupted in the entire show. The story flows between
the past and the present circumstances depicted much effectively.
5. Modes of Address- modes of address are important in the Peaky Blinders. This is because the
show is based mainly in the 1920s. The text of the show is in line with the colloquialisms that
existed at the time. The English language is used effectively to show the various forms of
colloquial spoken forms that were present in England at the times. The local English of
Birmingham, the London Cockney and other similar forms of English are used to address the
audiences. However, other languages are also used in the show like the gypsy languages, Italian
or Yiddish. The language use is fluid and helps to understand the plot better. Literary quotes are
used sometimes to help understand the context of some scenes and occurrences. Effective use of
language helps to create a better connection between the show and the audiences. The modes of
addresses can range between sarcastic to ironic. Various figures of speeches are used to denote
various things in the show. However, the modes of address are serious most of the times. The
tones are darker and the language usage are grim at times. This complements the underlying
tensions that exist in the plot.
6. Cross cultural flows- Cross cultural flow is an important part of the Peaky Blinders. The show
depicts various characters keeping in mind the cultural contexts of the times. Some of the most
important cross cultural flows can be seen concerning the Gypsy, Chinese, Jewish, Italian or
Russian cultures. The cross cultural flow can be seen well while the Shelby family interact with
their Gypsy kin or the Chinese people living in Birmingham. Additionally, the gang deals
between the Peaky Blinders and the Jewish or Italian gangs of London show significant cross-
cultural flows. The gangs include Italian, Jewish, Gypsy as well as some local working class
English and Scottish gangs. The show in a way depicts a culturally diverse criminal world. The
cross cultural flow is important in the series as it helps to develop the plots and the progression
of the various seasons. The cross cultural flow in the show helps to develop better
understandings of the complex social structures that took shape in England at that time. The
lifestyles of the gangs as well as the urban elites and the political classes are shown much
importantly in the show.

3ASSIGNMENT 4: PEAKY BLINDERS
References
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Matthews, James, et al. "Mise-En-Scene of Narrative Actions in Interactive Storytelling." (2017).
McGregor, Rafe. "Cinematic Realism: A Defence from Plato to Gaut." The British Journal of
Aesthetics 58.3 (2018): 225-239.
Shaviro, S. T. E. V. E. N. "2.2 Post Cinematic Affect." Post Cinema: Theorizing 21st Century
Film (2016): 129-144.
Shine, Jessica. "“One Minute of Everything at Once”: How Music Shapes the World of BBC’s
Peaky Blinders (2013—)." Music on Screen (2017): 47.
Whitehead, Jean. "Creating an interior mise-en-scene: the relationship between interior design,
production design and film." Film and Furniture (2019).