Peaky Blinders 'a Western In The West Midlands'

24 February 2026
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Ed James, BBC Radio WMand


Tim Page, West Midlands


A brand-new documentary has lifted the cover on the making of Peaky Blinders, and the "mythology" at the heart of the story.


Peaky Blinders: The Real Story functions interviews with individuals behind the show, consisting of creator Steven Knight speaking about the Birmingham family folklore that motivated it.


"My mama was a bookmaker's runner. Gambling was unlawful at the time, she was eight years of ages and she would stroll down the street with a basket of cleaning and individuals would drop bets into the basket," Knight stated.


The documentary, which released on streaming websites today, has been made by filmmaker Robin Bextor, who stated he set out to different truth from fiction.


"The initially reported reference of Peaky Blinders that occurred at all remained in 1890, whereas the Peaky Blinders we see on screen don't begin till after the First World War," he told BBC Radio WM.


"The genuine Peaky Blinders had actually ended up before the series starts".


The documentary likewise explores the production techniques of the 6 BBC series of Peaky Blinders, including its use of modern rock music along with folk and blues.


Bextor stated designer Grant Montgomery desired the program to be "based upon a series of Western movies that he enjoyed".


"I brought a sort of Americana to it. I was constantly drawn to that aesthetic, the lawlessness of it," Montgomery informed the brand-new production.


It comes weeks before the release of a new Netflix movie, the Man, continuing the story of the Shelbys into World War Two. This will be followed by 2 more BBC series heading through to the 1950s.


Bextor said his movie was a tribute to Peaky Blinders' Brummie roots, and the "unparalleled" skill of its developer, Knight.


"It's not a mishap that he's ending up being the king of drama now. He's been asked to compose the brand-new Bond movie, he's got 2 new series operating on TV, he's got the Peaky Blinders movie ... and he was asked to write Star Wars.


"I mean, this guy is a big achiever. Plus naturally, what Peaky Blinders offered us was 6 series of a brilliant performance by Cillian Murphy."


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