Disney+'s 'A Thousand Blows': The Fascinating Intersection of Boxing and Crime in Victorian London
The Disney+ drama A Thousand Blows opens a window into the contrasting yet parallel worlds of 19th-century London—a city both fascinating and treacherous. This period piece is not just an artistic portrayal; it is a gripping narrative that threads together the life of Jamaican-born boxer Hezekiah Moscow with the notorious all-female criminal gang known as the Forty Elephants.
Hezekiah Moscow: A Boxer Before His Time
Hezekiah Moscow, born around 1862 in Jamaica, was a man who wore many hats. Before taking the boxing scene by storm, he worked as a lion tamer at the East London Aquarium, a reflection of his bold nature. Under the mentorship of trainer Alec Munroe, Moscow's prowess in bare-knuckle boxing gained him fame. He was a fixture at London’s Blue Coat Boy pub, a vibrant hub for boxing enthusiasts. Here, colorful, dramatic bouts took place, featuring rivals like ‘Sugar’ Goodson. While the show imagines fierce contests between these two, in reality, records show no explosive rivalry, aside from being part of the same boxing scene.
Moscow's story is vital not just for his achievements but also for the unique fusion of Caribbean heritage with the British sporting fabric of the time. His legacy paints a rich tapestry of the era's cultural diversity and sporting landscape.
The Forty Elephants: Masters of Crime
Shifting focus to the shady side of London, the Forty Elephants made waves with their criminal exploits. Mary Carr, the gang's leader, turned shoplifting into an art. She and her team targeted upscale stores, employing innovative decoy tactics and concealing stolen jewels in their clothing. Carr wasn’t just a criminal mastermind; she was also a former florist and pickpocket with a penchant for high drama. Her crime dossier includes a kidnapping episode involving a boy she claimed to save from abuse, an act that led to her arrest and a three-year sentence in 1896.
Despite her legal troubles, Carr’s persona captivated even the world of fine arts, with artist Frederic Leighton finding inspiration in her life. Carr eventually passed away in relative obscurity around 1924. Yet, her legacy lived on, with Alice Diamond taking the helm of the gang, bringing more notoriety through the early 20th century.
While the creators of A Thousand Blows have taken creative liberties—like hinting at Carr's alliance with Moscow—historical accuracy is not entirely neglected. Under the guidance of historical advisor Sarah Elizabeth Cox, the depiction of the Blue Coat Boy pub and the gang’s methods remain true to history. This show not only entertains but enlightens, teasing an ambitious arc that might extend the Forty Elephants' tale into the 1950s, capturing an enduring legacy of audacious criminal exploits.