We’ve been exploring the opening ten minutes of Steven Knight’s brilliant historical crime drama Peaky Blinders, and we’re onto the final scene.

We’ll look briefly at what happens in this scene.

Then, we’ll examine what elements the writer, director and editor have included to present the most effective opening ten minutes in the grasp of their collective talents.

So, onto the scene.

The scene is 4 shots and lasts 20 seconds.

It starts at 09.40.

SHOT 1.

EXT. INDUSTRIAL BACKSTREET, BIRMINGHAM – DAY

Thomas Shelby, small in the frame of the huge street, walks towards us for 6 seconds.

SHOT 2.

SAME STREET – CONTINUED.

Switch POV as we watch Thomas approach a pub from behind.

In the top corner of the frame we make out part of the sign: The Garrison Tavern.

Three people stand at the entrance: two WOMEN and an OLD MAN.

Seeing Thomas the Old Man cowers and bows.

Shot length: 6 seconds.

SHOT 3.

INT. THE GARRISON TAVERN – DAY.

We watch men being men in a pub.

Shot length: 6 seconds.

CUT TO:

SHOT 4.

INT. THE GARRISON TAVERN – DAY.

The doors open, like an old Western saloon, as –

Thomas enters.

That’s the final shot – BANG ON 10 minutes – Thomas Shelby, center frame.

Shot length: 2 seconds.

Total scene length: 20 seconds.

For extra posts on the opening ten minutes of Peaky Blinders click here.