Peaky Blinders = The Godfather

We love The Godfather Parts I & II. (No one watches III more than once because it’s like eating rotten eggs after an expensive four-course meal.) If we’re honest, it’s mostly because we love watching Michael war with himself. Sure he murders people he's known his whole life, but he also attends baptisms and speaks softly. We all have our faults.

Recently, I binge-watched all three seasons of Peaky Blinders on Netflix and am relieved (to some might say an unhealthy level) that the contract has been renewed for two more years. Around episode four, it occurred to me that the reason I was so enthralled was that I was watching the Godfather, and once I had that realization, I couldn’t not see it. Here’s the proof so you can rewatch with new eyes, too. (Also, there are a few serious spoilers from the third season, so if you haven’t watched that far, go binge-watch before continuing.)

6. The Mafia Setting in a Period Piece (Obviously)

This one is easy. Both the show and movie are full of illegal gambling by wise guys who offer protection to lowly men because they don’t have to pay for anything. Drinks? “On the house.” Suits? “On the house.” Bars, houses, or fruit? “I’ll humbly accept any price you offer.” In addition, both are set after a world war. Peaky Blinders starts in 1919 and The Godfather in 1945.

5. They’re Both Catholic?

A lot of wicked conversations happen in a Catholic church in Peaky Blinders and the Corleone family is well-known for their Catholic Sacraments and the parties that follow. However, it’s a little hard to believe that the Shelbys could claim they’re Catholic considering their gypsy background and their belief in witchcraft and curses, (and Tommy’s atheist tendencies). It’s like the writers thought “Yeah, let’s make them Catholic, too, but don’t try too hard or be too obvious about it.”

4. Ada is Connie

What do you do when the (probably) Catholic parents have three or more boys? You add a girl to the mix. Preferably one who isn’t particularly lady-like and weak like other movies and shows might portray. She has to:

• Be stubborn and argue with her brothers, always knowing what’s right.
• Not really want to be a part of the family business and move to a different city.
• Be younger than the main character.
• Get involved with men of whom her brothers won’t approve.
• Become pregnant under difficult situations, (like with an unpredictable, abusive husband or an unpredictable communist agitator).

Follow those steps when writing the script and you’ll have the perfect Godfather-esque sister in no time!

3. Polly is Tom Hagen

In the first season, Polly tells Freddie that she’s twice the man he is, and it’s true. Despite their differences, Polly can give logical advice to Tommy like Tom did to Michael and “handle” problems in the family business just as Tom did for Vito. Her maiden name isn’t Shelby, so although she and Tom are treated as family, they’re not pure relatives. She’s more emotional than Tom for sure, but just as loyal and dedicated. Who is going to decide the new code for the safe? Not idiot Arthur.

2. Arthur is Sonny (And Also Fredo)

Poor Arthur. John and Finn get to be their own characters, so he’s stuck with the worst characteristics of both Sonny and Fredo. Angry, impulsive, dumb, and overlooked.

He has Sonny’s anger. He hits first and asks questions after he’s taken the guy’s sight. (Actually, he doesn’t ask much of anything. He usually makes statements that others will interpret and answer like they were questions. When he does ask questions, they’re barely sentences, like “What [enter any curse word here] guns?” Can I buy a verb, please?) Although Arthur shows more remorse than Sonny, he also cheats on his wife.

He’s dim-witted and easily manipulated like Fredo. Tommy uses him as a pawn in his dealings with unsavory men, just as Michael does with Fredo in Miami. They both marry women who control them and don’t fit in with the family, although one could argue Linda has good intentions.

He becomes upset when he feels that his opinion doesn’t matter or that his seniority has no effect on his brother’s decisions, (which is basically all the time). The first episode of Peaky Blinders, Tommy says, “I think, Arthur. That’s what I do. I think so you don’t have to.” Arthur accepts this and we wave as his machismo drifts away like a body in the canal. Bye-bye self-worth.

1. Thomas Shelby and Michael Corleone are Just Too Similar

If you still aren’t convinced, look no further than Michael, I mean, Tommy. Sorry, I get those names confused a lot. The Peaky Blinders’ writers should have named Michael something else. Like Anthony.

First, they are both decorated veterans who just returned from the war. They feel it was an honor to fight for their country and are proud to have served. All those metals help later with law enforcement, like when the police feel wary about hitting Michael and Churchill thinks Shelby could be an asset.

Second, although they are both the leaders of their families, they don’t hold seniority. When Sonny dies, Fredo is completely overlooked. (Fredo? Who? You must be mistaken. Did you mean the pasta?) Tommy supersedes nearly every decision Arthur makes. Connie accepts Michael as the new Godfather, just as John and Finn do for Tommy.

Third, they are the Bobby Fischer of long-term planning. In the second episode, Kimber throws a coin and demands Tommy pick it up. A lesser man, (like Arthur/Sonny,) would have cut him open like a fish, but Tommy knows this is an easy sacrifice to reach his long-term goal. Michael manipulates the puzzle pieces so that nearly all of his enemies are killed while he’s talking to a priest. They both attempt to expand beyond their purview, despite the rest of the family being perfectly content where they are.

Fourth, they’ll kill people, but they’d rather pass it off to someone else. Michael kills a couple of guys to avenge the attempted murder of his father, but usually he keeps his hands clean and gives those tasks to soldiers like Clemenza. Tommy blinds his competition when they laugh at his brother, but he usually sends soldiers like Arthur and John to do his bidding. (Here’s a list of guys who were mean to me in school. You go kill them while I sit at my desk and think about world domination.)

Fifth, a wife is killed by a weapon meant for the man. Apollonia is killed by a car bomb because the guy thought Michael would be driving alone. (A simple misunderstanding, really.) Grace is killed by a bullet meant for Tommy because of a father’s grief, (or because her necklace was cursed, depending on your belief system). Although Michael’s grief is off-screen, both men take a long time to recover from this loss.

Sixth, they both have an inner war which allows them to sleep well the same night they murder people, but also feel love for their wives and children. Polly tells Tommy: “You have your mother’s common sense but your father’s devilment. I see them fighting. Let your mother win.” (Sometimes he does, but don’t bet on it unless he offers you good odds.) In the same way, Michael has his father’s ideals, but his mother’s heart.

For example, in the first season, Tommy allows Kimber to take Grace back to his house, but then has second thoughts and stops Kimber before he rapes her. Grace asks Tommy why he changed his mind, but instead of giving us an answer, the credits roll. Michael may not win Husband or Father of the Year, but he does care deeply about his family and demands guardianship of his children when Kay leaves.

Conclusion

We will not be fooled by a few tweaks. Next season, someone better kiss Tommy’s hand.