Historian Carl Chinn Separates Peaky Blinders Fiction from Birmingham's Violent Reality
Birmingham's most celebrated historian has revealed the stark truth behind the legendary Peaky Blinders ahead of the highly anticipated movie release. Professor Carl Chinn's latest publication, Peaky Blinders - The Real Gangs and Gangsters: The true story of Britain's most notorious street gangs, delves into the authentic narratives of criminal organizations, including police murders and political connections.
Birmingham's Dark Past as a Violent Epicenter
Chinn's work begins thematically and chronologically with Birmingham, the original home of the Peaky Blinders. The city was once praised as the best-governed in the world, but the historian emphasizes a much darker reality. He points out that Birmingham during that era ranked among the most violent cities across Britain, plagued by systemic issues including racism and sexual assault.
In an exclusive interview, Chinn explained his motivation: "I wanted to examine the various gangs and comprehend the rivalries that led to numerous murders and manslaughters." He clarified that the term "Peaky Blinder" originally described a fashion style associated with slogging gangs, making the names interchangeable in historical context.
Thematic Exploration of Social Injustices
The historian was particularly drawn to themes of racist attacks, widespread bullying, and abusive behavior toward women, with a specific focus on sexual assault. Chinn stressed that the majority of residents in Birmingham's backstreets were not violent criminals but rather hard-working, decent individuals who often suffered more than the notorious gangs themselves.
"One final aspect I aimed to highlight was the historical reality," Chinn noted. "The gangsters in this book are human beings, not demons. While I am not excusing their actions, I seek to understand them."
Distinguishing Drama from Historical Fact
With the premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man scheduled for March 6, Chinn underscored the critical distinction between his factual account and filmmaker Steven Knight's fictional universe. He acknowledged Knight's role as a brilliant ambassador for Birmingham and expressed hope for the success of the Digbeth Loc studio, which he described as much-needed for the city.
"I believe it is essential to view the reality and the series as separate yet connected entities," Chinn added. "The reality holds immense importance to me. I want to emphasize that people should enjoy the series and movie as drama—it is not reality. The actual Peaky Blinders and slogging gangs were never intended to be admired."
Availability of Chinn's Work and Documentary
Peaky Blinders - The Real Gangs and Gangsters: The true story of Britain's most notorious street gangs is currently available for purchase through online retailers such as Amazon and Waterstones. Additionally, Carl Chinn features in the new documentary Peaky Blinders: The Real Story produced by Reel2Reel Films.
This documentary will be released digitally starting February 23 and can be bought or rented on platforms including iTunes, Sky, Amazon, Google, Virgin, and Rakuten.
