Peaky Blinders

[Flat Foot Floey]

Thanks for the pictures. I still don't have the book. Maybe I really need to get it from australia then.
Oh I saw the first two episodes too. (Thanks to a fellow Lounger )

I am not sure what to think about it yet. It's certainly entertaining but I didn't get excited about it either.

 

[herringbonekid]

Flo,

no, it's not a masterpiece, but does the job as a bit of period entertainment.

although TV production standards are far higher today (almost feature film standard at times) i don't think there's anyone doing really great writing for TV in the UK, of the calibre of Mike Leigh or Dennis Potter in the 70s-80s. i haven't seen anything as good as 'The Singing Detective' since it was made and that was 1986 !

 

[Two Types]

Here's a thought: is the 'stiff collar, no tie look' in those photos a result of them having their ties removed to stop them hanging themselves in their cells (which is something you often see in films/tv). I don't know whether that actually happens - or was standard in that period - but it's just a thought. it wouldn't explain why some of them still ahve their ties though (apart from maybe being at a different stage in the process).

With regard to the sets: I read that the interior of the pub was styled from photos of bars in New York. A bit odd really because there must be plenty of photos of Birmingham pub interiors from the period.

 

[simonc]

has anyone noticed how the ties hang about an inch from the top button which is done up, was this a rush to get out of the wardrobe dept. and onto set or period style?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Cheapest place right now is direct from publisher:

http://shop.hht.net.au/Home/Catalogue?searchtype=All&searchid=272f1d66c82967de&searchoperand=0&searchvalue=city%20of%20shadows

Thanks for the pictures. I still don't have the book. Maybe I really need to get it from australia then.
Oh I saw the first two episodes too. (Thanks to a fellow Lounger )

I am not sure what to think about it yet. It's certainly entertaining but I didn't get excited about it either.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

That about sums it up, yes. I don't know how a Potter-esque drama would work these days tbh. too much thinkin' involved, and assumes the audience is willing to sit through the relatively slow stuff in the first 2-3 episodes.

Flo,

no, it's not a masterpiece, but does the job as a bit of period entertainment.

although TV production standards are far higher today (almost feature film standard at times) i don't think there's anyone doing really great writing for TV in the UK, of the calibre of Mike Leigh or Dennis Potter in the 70s-80s. i haven't seen anything as good as 'The Singing Detective' since it was made and that was 1986 !

 

[esteban68]

you could be onto something there TT, a bit similar to the falling down beltless trousers/pants look of today denoting and 'ex crim' or an aspiring wanna be?

Here's a thought: is the 'stiff collar, no tie look' in those photos a result of them having their ties removed to stop them hanging themselves in their cells (which is something you often see in films/tv). I don't know whether that actually happens - or was standard in that period - but it's just a thought. it wouldn't explain why some of them still ahve their ties though (apart from maybe being at a different stage in the process).

With regard to the sets: I read that the interior of the pub was styled from photos of bars in New York. A bit odd really because there must be plenty of photos of Birmingham pub interiors from the period.

 

[esteban68]

Flo,

no, it's not a masterpiece, but does the job as a bit of period entertainment.

although TV production standards are far higher today (almost feature film standard at times) i don't think there's anyone doing really great writing for TV in the UK, of the calibre of Mike Leigh or Dennis Potter in the 70s-80s. i haven't seen anything as good as 'The Singing Detective' since it was made and that was 1986 !

a friend of mine is a screen writer and he's had the odd thing taken up but to be honest according to him it's pretty much a 'closed shop' especially the BBC, I have to be honest and it's not because he's a mate but his stuff is very good indeed but he can't get a look in as they generally want proven reliable 'safe' stuff?

 

[herringbonekid]

Bludger. I love the annotations in/on those books/plates.

my great uncle Harry reckons that hoodlums in Newcastle and Gateshead (in the 30s-40s) were called 'Bundlers' and wore white scarves.

Pikey Bundlers ?

 

[esteban68]

And then there was 'The Sheffield Gang Wars' of the 1920's, early 20th century Britain was obviously pretty lawless?

 

[Two Types]

I think it was the same throughout the UK. There were the 'Scuttlers' in Victorian Manchester who have been described as Britain's 'first youth cult'. Their big thing was studded belts, with studs spelling out their names, or the name of their gangs. I remember reading that in Glasgow there are still gangs in certain areas where the people can trace their membership back to great grandfathers in the early part of the 20th century. And their still killing each other over the same petty arguments (killing each other over who has the right to walk down a street to go and buy the fags, booze and fried food that's going to kill them anyway).

 

[Two Types]

Who's going to be the first person wearing a flat cap to get some cheeky git shouting 'Peaky Blinder!' at them in the street?

(or maybe it won't happen because it shows on BBC2 rather than ITV).

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I don't think it will happen over here

 

[Sir RBH]

probably me today whilst Im out.. Have been watching it.. but its not that entertaining really...

 

[Two Types]

I was talking to the barber who cut the hair for one of the cast: apparently he requested that he have the same cut one of the characters in Boardwalk Empire (Jimmy?) with very short sides and a longer top. The blokes in the barbers thought it wouldn't have been so extreme in that period.

 

[Sir RBH]

may I ask which Barber?
thank you

 

[Two Types]

Trumpers

 

[Sir RBH]

Ahh, yes indeed.. have been there many times...

 

[Two Types]

I watched the final episode last night. I have just one word to say: disappointing.

I enjoyed some elements of the series and disliked others. Yet last night's episode was fairly bad. I won't mention why, in case some of you haven't seen it yet.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes don't give it away. I'm still to catch up on the last two episodes.