St James’s Gate, Dublin, May 1868. It’s the day of Benjamin Lee Guinness’s funeral, but no one seems particularly sad. In House of Guinness (Netflix, available now), there’s too much scheming and scrapping to be done for anyone to shed a tear.
As the Guinness founder is prepared for his final journey, outside the gate trouble is brewing: religious evangelists are protesting his sinful boozy ways, while Fenians – Irish Republicans – have little time for a man whose success was built on cosying up to the British empire. Guinness foreman/fixer Sean Rafferty instructs his workers to “grab a means of persuasion” and, as they accompany the cortege, a massive rolling riot breaks out.
Meanwhile, Benjamin’s children are more quietly jostling for power. There’s poshly moustachioed eldest Arthur, ambitious Edward, piss artist Benjamin Jr and Anne – who has a secret entanglement with the charismatic Rafferty.
It’s an interesting glimpse into the brand’s history… or it would be. Historically speaking, it’s cobblers – as an introductory ‘this fiction is inspired by true stories’ intertitle cheerfully admits.
But that was also the case with writer Steven Knight’s other big success, Peaky Blinders. House of Guinness shares that show’s propensity for ‘cool’ shots of people walking past fire as anachronistic music plays, too.
Episode one sets us up for seven more entertaining episodes of sex and violence – and hopefully a bit more booze (more Jameson is knocked back than Guinness in the first episode, funnily enough).
Diageo must be thrilled – a sales spike beckons.
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