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.
“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
