‘Peaky Blinders‘ is one of those shows that hooks you right from the start. With its dark, brooding atmosphere and ruthless characters, the show has perfected the art of blending historical drama with high-octane gangster action. The upcoming ‘Peaky Blinders‘ movie can reiterate this, but the show itself never hid its links to the genre.
Set in post-World War I Birmingham, the show follows Tommy Shelby and his gang as they climb their way to the top of the criminal underworld. Over 6 seasons, viewers have witnessed epic showdowns, intense family drama, and enough backstabbing to rival even the most dramatic soap opera.
Arthur And Tommy Shelby’s Story Mirrors Sonny And Michael’s From ‘The Godfather’
One of the longest-running storylines in ‘Peaky Blinders‘ is borrowed almost directly from one of the greatest gangster movies ever made. It’s no secret that the show has taken inspiration from classics like ‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘Goodfellas‘.
But the real kicker comes from the legendary trilogy that cemented the gangster genre: ‘The Godfather‘. Yup, that’s right. Arthur and Tommy Shelby’s storyline mirrors the iconic Sonny and Michael plotline from ‘The Godfather,’ and we’re here to break it all down for you.
If you’ve watched both ‘Peaky Blinders‘ and ‘The Godfather,‘ this comparison is going to hit you like a truck. Both Arthur and Tommy Shelby, as well as Sonny and Michael Corleone, follow eerily similar paths.
Related: Barry Keoghan Joins The Stellar Cast Of The ‘Peaky Blinders’ Film
Let’s start with the older brothers. Just like James Caan’s Sonny in 1972’s ‘The Godfather,’ Arthur Shelby, played by Paul Anderson, starts out as the assumed leader of the family business. They’re both fierce, loyal, and downright terrifying when they need to be. But here’s the problem: they’re both way too hot-headed to maintain control.
Tommy Shelby, the more cunning, calculating, and level-headed sibling. It’s a classic story of brains versus brawn. Cillian Murphy’s Tommy, much like Al Pacino’s Michael, quietly takes over the reins of the family’s criminal empire, turning it into a well-oiled machine.
And while Michael is a lot more ruthless than Tommy, they both share that sharp intellect and a knack for playing the long game.
‘Peaky Blinders’ Shows Us What Would Have Happened In ‘The Godfather’ Had Sonny Survived
In ‘The Godfather,’ Michael only takes over the family because Sonny is gunned down in a brutal assassination. But what if Sonny had lived? This is where ‘Peaky Blinders‘ takes an interesting turn.
Arthur Shelby is basically the answer to that question. Throughout the series, Arthur struggles with addiction, mental health issues, and his tumultuous personal life. If Sonny had survived, it’s easy to imagine he’d have faced similar challenges, given his inability to keep his emotions in check.
In case you missed it: Netflix Confirms ‘Peaky Blinders’ Film Starring Cillian Murphy Is Under Production
But both Arthur and Sonny, while loyal to the core, were never cut out to lead. Even their respective fathers, Vito Corleone and Mr. Shelby probably knew it deep down. Arthur’s journey in ‘Peaky Blinders‘ shows us what might have happened if Sonny had lived.
‘Peaky Blinders‘ and ‘The Godfather‘ both are currently on Netflix.
