BBC hit TV show Peaky Blinders has a rather fictionalized version of one of the most celebrated historical figures of all time. In the series, Winston Churchill (portrayed by three different actors at different stages of his life) juggles between hero and villain. The British politician amalgamates good and bad as he morphs from Secretary of State for the Colonies to Chancellor of the Exchequer.
As a supporting character, Churchill only interacts and communicates with Chester Campbell, the lawman heading the Ulster Volunteer Force, and Peaky Blinders boss, Tommy Shelby. During his numerous conversations with the two men, his traits, as well as his perspectives on various issues, become clear to the viewers.
10 "If There Are Bodies To Be Buried, Dig Holes. And Dig Them Deep."
Among the key events from the first episode of Peaky Blinders is a younger Churchill's first meeting with Chester Campbell inside a Pullman carriage at a train station. He wants stolen government weapons to be retrieved and his message is clear: Campbell should do anything in his power to get them.
The Secretary cannot be faulted for asking Campbell to deal with whoever has the guns in a ruthless manner. They are advanced weapons that would be dangerous in the hands of anyone else. Viewers get to see just how advanced these guns are during the final war between Tommy and Billy Kimber. As a man who would go on to be a major player in World War II, it's expected for him to give such orders.
9 "Always Happy To Give Smart Answers To Men Born Better Than You."
Churchill is impressed by one of Tommy Shelby's best traits: confidence. He has realized that the Birmingham crime boss isn't intimidated by men who have known wealth and power all their lives.
As a member of the elite, Churchill is used to men bowing down to him and not opposing anything he says. Dealing with Tommy Shelby is thus a new experience for him. Normally, he would be offended if it was another person answering questions the way Tommy does, but he is aware that Tommy is no average man. Even when Tommy asks Churchill to prove his worth to him, the government official can only smile.
8 "There Are Certain Species Of Weed. No Matter How Much You Tug At Them, They Continue To Grow Back."
Concerned about Mosley's forays into fascism, Churchill summons Tommy since he knows he is enemies with the man. He speaks in parables, suggesting that it's time for Mosley to be eliminated.
It's obvious to the viewer that such remarks have only been included for dramatic purposes. The likelihood that Churchill ordered a crime boss to assassinate the Minister of the Duchy of Lancaster is slim to none. Nevertheless, the way in which the historical figure compares weeds to Mosley is impressive, showing his depth in knowledge about various areas of life.
7 "I Would Guess You Haven't Been Exposed To Bohemian Society, Major?"
Chester Campbell is a bit surprised when he once finds Churchill painting a naked woman, who is lying comfortably on the office couch. But Churchill figures that Campbell is naive.
Having attended different versions of the Bohemian Grove (where the rich and powerful go to misbehave), Churchill sees no problem with having a naked woman in his office during the day. He isn't wrong about the lawman's naivety either, as one doesn't get to be a good leader without being able to make accurate assumptions about people. Campbell has appeared to struggle in any other area that doesn't concern his job, including relationships.
6 "Was It You Who Killed That Ulsterman Intelligence Officer? I Forget His Name."
Campbell has one of the most shocking deaths in Peaky Blinders and when word reaches Churchill, he wonders if Tommy is the culprit. Tommy clarifies that it's Aunt Polly who did it.
What's particularly interesting about Churchill's question is that he has forgotten Chester Campbell, yet the two were shown to be very close. Here, the British leader demonstrates the cavalier attitude with which he handles men that he works with. He is a busy man and it appears Campbell was but a tool to him.
5 "Do What You Have To, Mr. Shelby. And If You Need Anything, Call Me."
At the height of the fascist infiltration of England, Churchill finally gives Tommy permission to go after enemies of the state, including Mosley. He also opens a direct line of communication, making Tommy more powerful than he has ever been.
As a powerful man, Churchill is smart enough to craft his kill order in a manner that makes room for plausible deniability. He proves himself as a man who has no problem working with questionable characters to achieve the greater good. Part of the reason he trusts Tommy so much is because the Peaky Blinders boss provided his services for the nation before, having been active in the trenches during World War I.
4 "Do We Trust Him To Keep His Mouth Shut?"
After receiving the guns, Churchill sends Campbell to London to organize the assassination of Field Marshal Henry Russel for war crimes. The two agree that Tommy should carry out the hit but Churchill wonders whether the crime boss can be trusted. Campbell doesn't think he can, suggesting that they hang Tommy immediately after he completes his mission.
Churchill's concern stems from his overall sense of caution. He doesn't want any trouble. His good reputation not only has to remain intact but he also has to avoid any blackmail. Campbell, on the other hand, is driven by jealousy and hatred. Tommy not only outsmarted him but also ended up with the woman he loved.
3 "No, Because She Takes Lunch, Like Normal People."
Campbell makes sure to apologize when he steps into Churchill's office without knocking. He explains that he didn't find the secretary at her desk but Churchill considers this rather obvious. He feels that since it's lunch hour, Campbell ought to have known that the secretary wouldn't be around.
As a very important government official, Churchill expects everyone to be on their best behavior at all times, especially people working under him. Even though he has important things to say, Campbell's impromptu walk-in is seen as a lack of manners. But Churchill isn't an unreasonable man either, so he doesn't dwell on the misdemeanor. He allows Campbell to go ahead with tabling the matter that brought him to the office.
2 "Bodies Thrown In The Rivers Wash Up In The Papers Here."
While tasking Campbell with retrieving the cache of government weapons early in the series, Churchill emphasizes the importance of doing everything quietly so that the press doesn't learn about it. And he has a good reason for insisting on this. If the guns become public knowledge, powerful gangs or rival governments might want to purchase them from whoever is holding them.
It might seem that a man like Campbell shouldn't be reminded of this fact and he ought to know. However, he is from Ireland, where the press is less aggressive, having been threatened to submission by the likes of the Irish Republica Army (IRA). In England, the press has more freedom, and for that reason, Campbell needs to be discreet.
1 "Sometimes The Bridge Between Hours Is As Fragile As That."
During one of their friendly discussions, Churchill and Tommy discuss how they both lack sleep due to the weight of the issues burdening them. Churchill states that it takes just a normal activity to make the hours pass. On his part, he spends such nights smoking cigars and before he knows it, it's dawn.
The chat between Churchill and Tommy also shows how it's easy for some people to take control of their lives while others struggle, depending on the weight of the problems. To Churchill, pushing the hours is as simple as smoking cigars. To Tommy, it's much more difficult. He has nightmares that began right after the war and has struggled to find a way to cope with them.
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