When the Wind Blows

1986 "A horrifying vision of tomorrow."
7.7| 1h21m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 24 October 1986 Released
Producted By: Film4 Productions
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
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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.

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Director

Jimmy T. Murakami

Production Companies

Film4 Productions

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When the Wind Blows Audience Reviews

Cubussoli Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
GazerRise Fantastic!
Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
Staci Frederick Blistering performances.
grantss Jim and Hilda are two English retirees, living in a cottage in the country. War with Russia seems imminent and Jim starts taking precautions against a nuclear attack. Remembering World War 2, Jim and Hilda staunchly believe that everything will be okay, even if nuclear weapons are involved. But will it?Powerful, poignant anti-war movie. Mixes nonchalance and English laugh-in-the-face of danger humour with some incredibly shocking reminders of the effects of nuclear war. Funny and terrifying, all at the same time.Quite emotional too. We see flashes of Jim and Hilda's history, the life they had, the simplicity and innocence of their existence and how this is shattered.
amelieproductions As a huge fan of animated (especially 2D animated) films, it's safe to say that I've seen many, both aimed at children, and not so much. I have never seen a film quite like this one. Yeah, there is Grave Of The Fireflies, but... This movie is just... Different. It was heart breaking seeing this elderly couple, so innocent and optimistic having their everyday normal lives obliterated along with everything else a nuclear bomb is capable of destroying. People have commented on how stupid the elderly couple was portrayed in the film, but I felt that they were more depicted as being simply unaware of how big their situation really was, as well as slightly in denial and simply trying to keep calm, trying to go about their used-to-be normal lives to feel okay again. Of course they probably had never experienced anything like that, they didn't know what was coming. But it came alright. And when the bomb was dropped in that film, it was a huge, heart wrenching slap in the face that crap just got... Real.
The_Film_Cricket I was like a lot of people. I saw 'When the Wind Blows' and I really didn't know anything about it. I saw that one of the voices was provided by Peggy Ashcroft ('A Passage to India' is one of my favorite movies) and was drawn to it.What struck me first was the drawing style. It looks like a children's storybook. It is sort of fitting that this movie looks like a fairy tale because it's story is anything but.The movie takes place in the home of an elderly couple John and Hilda who know that WWIII is emminent but think that the government will have the same jolly, let's-all-pitch-in spirit of WWII. The first half is the two of them preparing for war. They have pamphlets on how to set up a bomb shelter but are totally unprepared for the impact of nuclear weapons.When the bomb hits, the second half deals with their slow realization that the government isn't going to help and the harsher realization that they are slowly dying.The movie is chilling because it looks so sweet. These two lovely people are so naïve, they have no idea what will or has happened to them.The movie is patently for adults. Animated films for adults don't do well and don't get a wide distribution because of the false assumption that all animated films are for children. 'When the Wind Blows' is a disturbing film about a disturbing subject. It puts together two things that seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, and animated film and a dark social message.Because these two themes mesh together so well, the movie leaves you breathless and in deep discussion afterwards.
hellraiser7 Life like the wind can be a very fleeting thing, we always think we have enough time in our lives and death is far behind, but the moment it comes is always the least we expect and we realize how little time we really had. There are few movies I cry to and this film is one of them.Based on a graphic novel by Ramond Biggs whom made the famous Christmas story "The Snowman". I love the combination of both 2D and 3D animation in places it really made the universe the character were in seem less cartoonish and feel uncompromisingly real, from the way the characters walk to certain locations of the house really feels like your there. The nuclear explosion scene how it was presented and executed I'll admit is one of the most disturbing, horrifying, and unnerving scenes I've ever seen, the only other time I seen this was in the anime film "Barefoot Gen". The music is great it really fits the film, I even like the theme song by one of my favorite singer's David Bowie.But what really makes this film is really the couple Jim and Hilda Bloggs the movie focuses on. These characters really feel like ordinary people it's easy to forget their animated characters. From some of the things they say to one another which feels like the usual things you'd talk about. There are times when you really cringe at their ignorance about the war but you also at time feel heavy pathos for them as both are just struggling to survive by what they have as well as the information from the government pamphlets which made it all the more sadder because you know the information is a lie.There is a lot that really tugs at our emotions, one scene where we see as the explosion is continuing the camera then focuses on a picture of the past and we see both Jim and Hilda past in a montage as they were young and when they grew old. It clinched at my heart because I knew that those times from their past are gone forever. Another scene that was disturbing was when both were outside and they think they smell roasted meat and when we see shots of a town in ruin we know exactly what that smell is, it really gave me a sick feeling inside.It even tugs from the little moments like when Jim wonders why the milkman hasn't arrived. It tugged me because all of the modern conveniences we would take for granted are gone forever, this made me appreciate all of those little things like going to the grocery store and having food and supplies always there for us to buy; or simply even the mall to get video games/movies. Down to the just seeing the physical toll the aftermath is taking on the couple which is gut wrenching because once Hilda's hair falls off their dying.But what really tugged at my emotions the most was just the sense of familiarity, the couple reminded me a little of my own grand parents whom have now passed away along with the house they live in which looks or at least almost looks similar to the house I use to visit my grand parents at. This all the more increased the emotional weight.The fate of the couple in the end broke my heart and I literally broke down and cried, it is something that will haunt you forever.This film really made me appreciated life, grateful that I can still play and buy video games, do martial arts, have a girlfriend and friends, and just simply do all the things I do best in life because none of use really have all the time in the world, like the wind life blows away.Rating: 4 stars