Peaky Blinders: ML & Campbell Arrival Scene

Question 1

Shot types

Answer 1

• Close up, shaky hand held camera shots of Campbell’s reaction to the debaunchy of Birmingham outside the carriage.
• The shots primarily focus on Campbell’s gesture codes: Vacant, disgusted and stony codes of expression.

Question 2

Camera angles

Answer 2

• Bird’s eye shot: Looking down from the sky, entrenches the underlining religious association
• Wide shot:

Question 3

Mise-en-scene

Answer 3

• Dark streets of working class Birmingham: Period setting, representation of the working class.
• Smog, increases the secrecy of the night time setting as well as the unsettling nature of the streets. Showcases the impact of the industrial revolution on workig class communities, they are enveloped and literally hiddden from view. -> allusion to the lack of help.

Question 4

Camera movement

Answer 4

• Tracking: the camera moves with Campbell as he witnesses. POV shots: the audience are positioned as Campbell, viewing WC Birmingham streets through his eyes.
• Panning: The initial shot follows the preacher which then moves to focus on Campbell’s arrival in Birmingham. This instills fear and dread at the character whose arrival is framed by the line: ‘And judgment is coming, my friends.’

Question 5

Diegetic Sound

Answer 5

• Preacher’s religious dialogue: Foreboding. Portrays Campbell as ‘the creator’ who is coming to judge them all. -> Power
• Yelling: Creates distress and adds drama –> demonises the WC as violent, aggressive and angry.
• Vomitting: Unpleasant sound that and immersed audience recoils from.

Question 6

Actor Performance

Answer 6

• Campbell is silent throughout: audience and Campbell are connected as it is the first time either has witnessed the extent of poverty and suffering.