Summary

WhilePeaky Blindershas never hidden its creative debt to the gangster genre, it is still surprising that one of the Netflix hit’s longest-running stories is borrowed almost verbatim from the most famous entry into the genre. Throughout its six seasons,Peaky Blindersblended period drama trappings with fast-paced action for a gangster story like no other. While its setting might mean the series is often categorized as a historical drama,Peaky Blindersis a gangster series through and through. TheupcomingPeaky Blindersmoviecan reiterate this, but the show itself never hid its links to the genre.

Peaky Blindersborrowed from Martin Scorsese classics likeGangs of New YorkandGoodfellasthroughout its run.Peaky Blinders’ cast of characterswere based on the real-life gang of the same name that operated in Birmingham during the early 1900s, but the show borrowed liberally from the likes ofOnce Upon A Time In AmericaandScarfacewhile telling their story. However, none of these influences informed the show as much as one iconic trilogy. Often listed as the greatest movie series of all time, this famous franchise even providedPeaky Blinderswith one of the show’s longest-running storylines.

Tommy Shelby Michael Gray Peaky Blinders Season 6 Ending

Peaky Blinders Season 6 Ending Explained (In Detail)

After an explosive season 6 filled with trauma and loss, Peaky Blinders final episode ending with a shocking reveal. Here’s what it all meant.

Arthur & Tommy’s Peaky Blinders Story Mirrors The Godfather’s Sonny & Michael

Peaky Blinders Borrowed From The Godfather’s Main Plot

With the story of Arthur and Tommy,Peaky Blindersborrowed fromThe Godfather’s Sonny and Micheal plotline. In bothPeaky Blindersand 1972’s originalThe Godfather, the older brother of a family involved in organized crime take over the gang at the beginning of the story. However, both James Caan’s Sonny and Paul Anderson’s Tommy eventually prove too hot-headed for this role, and as a result, both characters end up being replaced by their younger brothers. Al Pacino’s mercurial Michael and Cillian Murphy’s soft-spoken Tommy prove more cerebral and clever, with both antiheroes eventually making their operations more successful.

The same story applies to both Tommy and Arthur inPeaky Blindersand Sonny and Michael inThe Godfather, although Sonny died before he could see Michael succeed him as the family’s leader. Ultimately, Arthur and Sonny were never cut out to be leaders thanks to their hot tempers, short-sightedness, and lack of critical insight. Although Michael is a colder, more outwardly villainous figure than Tommy,The Godfather’s endingproves that he is a fitting leader for the Corleone crime family. Similarly, Tommy takes the eponymous gang to new heights when he replaces Arthur as its de facto leader.

Vito sits with Sonny in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather

Peaky Blinders Shows What Might’ve Happened If Sonny Survived In The Godfather

Sonny’s Death Ironically Made Life Easier For Michael Corleone

Michael only assumed command because Sonny was murdered, butlater inThe Godfather’s timelineit becomes clear that he was a betterf fit for the job. Micheal may have eventually replaced Sonny even if he wasn’t killed, based on Sonny’s hot-headed disposition. Even their father acknowledged this. As such,Peaky Blindersoffers viewers an idea of how Sonny’s life might have panned out if it were not for his assassination. Arthur’sPeaky Blindersstory includes struggles with addictions and unhappy relationships, meaning things would not necessarily have been easy for Sonny Corleone if he had somehow survived the shooting.

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