When the Wind Blows (1986)
With the help of government-issued pamphlets, an elderly British couple build a shelter and prepare for an impending nuclear attack, unaware that times and the nature of war have changed from their romantic memories of World War II.
- Jimmy T. Murakami
- Gary McCarver
- Raymond Briggs
- Raymond Briggs
Rating: 7.4/10 by 275 users
Alternative Title:
Cuando sopla el viento - AR
Når vinden blæser - DK
Minne tuuli kuljettaa - FI
Tryggare kan ingen vara - SE
Rüzgar Estiginde - TR
Quan bufa el vent - ES
Quand souffle le vent - FR
Cuando el viento sopla - ES
Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 24 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $5,274
Plot Keyword: husband wife relationship, countryside, nuclear war, england, world war ii, based on comic, based on graphic novel, nuclear fallout, adult animation, isolated house, radiation sickness, bomb shelter
“When The Wind Blows” is a heartbreaking, horrendous, portrayal of the fallout following a nuclear attack on the United Kingdom. Based on the book by “The Snowman” creator Raymond Briggs, this film manages to show the full horror of an elderly couples experiences once missiles have struck. Opening with real Cold War era footage accompanied by David Bowie’s haunting theme song, “When The Wind Blows” follows similar animation style to that of Briggs other famous works. ( “The Snowman” , “The Snowman and the Snow Dog” ) Such dark narrative seems unfitting for this animation style but it works perfectly. The innocence of the two main characters as they desperately try to follow official advice while believing their idyllic village life will one day return to normal is heartbreaking. It’s impossible not to warm to Jim and Hilda as they slowly succumb to the effects of radiation sickness and the realisation of what has become of the World they knew. What is extremely clever is how the narrative incorporates the official United Kingdom protect and survive leaflet issued at the time by the government of the day. This adds realism to the proceedings as Jim and Hilda carry out the instructions in the leaflet, clearly unaware of the absurdity and horror of their situation. Brilliantly written and heightened through the animation the story and premise is starkly worrying today as it was in 1986