Film Review: When The Wind Blows (1986)

When the Wind Blows is a 1986 British animated drama film directed by Jimmy Murakami based on Raymond Briggs' graphic novel by the same name. Raymond Briggs is an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author who has achieved popular success among adults and children, especially with his most famous work, The Snowman, which was also worked on by Murakami. When the Wind Blows is a mix of drawn animation and stop-motion animation, with the two main characters being based on Briggs' own parents.

When The Wind Blows follows an old married couple living in the country named James and Hilda Bloggs. After hearing on the radio that the threat of nuclear war with the Russians is increasing at a fast rate, James goes about preparing his home for a nuclear attack. Finally it is announced that a missile has been launched, giving James only three days to finish his house protection using a government pamphlet which he religiously follows.

After viewing When The Wind Blows I experienced mixed feelings about the film. The use of hybrid animation definitely gives the film a unique quality and shows the amount of effort that went into creating the animation. Furthermore I thought the portrayal of the two main characters was spot-on; many times throughout the film I was reminded of my grandparents whether it be following rules exactly as they were given, or making sure the house is clean and tidy just in case someone comes over, even if there's been a nuclear strike. This making you feel closer to the characters and able to relate to them. However, the overall outcome of the film was a much more glum affair. To me, watching an hour and a half film about an elderly couple, that reminds you of your grandparents, slowly deteriorate through nuclear radiation is not my kind of entertainment. You keep watching, expecting the mood to pick up but it never does and just continues into more misery making the film very hard to watch.