When the Wind Blows [DVD]

I hadn't seen this for a long time, but after seeing it mentioned somewhere, I thought I'd order a copy and give it a go. I'm glad I did.

When the wind blows follows a retired couple as they deal with the threat of nuclear war. Both of them lived through the last war, and had been guided through that faithfully by the government and other authorities. They follow the government advice on preparation for a nuclear attack, and build a shelter in their home and make preparations according to leaflets such as 'Protect and Survive' and a county council issued pamphlet. It is here that the humour in the film is very much in evidence, as Jim and Hilda's naivety keeps them in the mindset that 'everything will be fine if we follow the correct procedures'. Small things made me smile- when Jim said they needed to stay in their shelter for 14 days and should stock up with essential provisions, Hilda tells him that she'll 'order 28 pints of milk'.

When the warning comes that missiles are only three minutes away, Hilda says she'd better getter get the washing in, still not realising just how different from the last war this one will be. Jim's reaction comes as a shock, but certainly portrays the urgency of the situation.

In the aftermath of the bomb, Jim and Hilda are hopelessly naive about the situation that they find themselves in, and your earlier laughter turns to sadness as you feel the inevitability of the situation. They still expect the milkman and paperboy to come after a day or two, and that 'the insurance will sort out the mess, dear'. So too, do they expect that the local shop will be open- they won't let something like a war shut them down.

Jim and Hilda are a lovely, likeable old couple, and it cuts you up to watch them struggle against the odds, caught up in a situation that wasn't of their own doing- they've tried to do everything right and put their trust in the authorities (believing everything they are told), but it is soon evident that having survived the nuclear blast itself, being a survivor in the aftermath of the bomb is not necessarily a good thing.

A word about the animation here too- it is a clever mix of a model set mixed with the drawings and it gives a very very good feel to whole film. The small pieces of live action footage here and there only add to the piece too.

Overall, a beautiful thought-provoking film that will start you off laughing, and may well end up with you shedding a few tears before the credits go up.

I first saw this in 1987. No one watching that film that day walked out of that theatre with a dry eye. It is the story of Jim and Hilda, a nice old couple who could be your parents or grandparents. They live out in the country having retired and their life harks back to the glory days in the "last war" and when the government knew best. While the rest of the world is inching towards nuclear conflict, Jim begins planning for the attack in the only way he knows how, he reads the government documents and acts on what they say. When the bomb falls, they are the unlucky ones and survive the initial onslaught; the following days are harrowing for them and immeasurably sad for those of us left watching. The end, when it comes for them is so incredibly moving that it cannot fail to leave you thinking of your own family and what future we as a species might have on this planet.

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
by Raymond Briggs

This recently re-released animated classic from Raymond Briggs (The snowman, Fungus the Bogeyman) is a dark comedy exploring the theme of nuclear holocaust. Originally a book in 1982 and then a film in 1986, the re-issued DVD hit the shelves on Monday (or in my case, became available on Amazon). Yes, it focuses on the nuclear bomb, but it is not in the bomb itself or in the threat of war where the film's brilliance lies. It is in the absurdity of the governmental instructions. Taken from genuine home office leaflets from the time, the homeowners guide is a piece of genius and a worthy fore runner to Mr Blair's recent terrorist information pack.

As the threat of nuclear destruction closes in around them, and when most people would be praying or desperately phoning loved one, happily retired Jim Bloggs is frantically carrying out government guidelines such as painting the windows white ("to keep out radiation") and creating an inner core or refuge (doors propped up against the wall with cushions on). All of this is of course sound advice from the government on how to protect yourself against a nuclear bomb. Poor old Mr and Mrs Bloggs follow it to the letter. Jim rushes to the local shop and although they have run out of protractors (to ensure the doors are propped up at an angle of 60 degrees) he does return with 2 packs of ginger creams, half a sponge cake, some pineapple chunks and a Christmas pudding. All of which are essential in case of a nuclear holocaust.

The film is loosely split into 2 sections. Preparations before the bomb drops and life after the bomb has dropped. Jim regularly forgets who the enemy is, as the word "war" only seems to conjure up memories of Hitler and bombs falling on London. Continuously correcting himself from saying Jerry, to saying Ruski, the musings as to what sort of people "Ruski's" are is dry and entertaining. "but I saw some Russians dancing on the Tele once" notes Mrs Bloggs "They seemed very nice." And as the thought of Russian soldiers entering their house dawns upon Jim, (He imagines a huge man armed to the teeth and pointed his Tommy gun straight at them) the best strategy available to them is put forward by Mrs Bloggs... "Maybe I could offer him a cup of tea!?"

For all its humour though, this is not a film to be taken lightly. The utter hopelessness of the situation combined with Jim's unwavering belief and trust in his government can't help but bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye of the most unemotional among us. Scenes showing the couple in happier times (their wedding day, walking in the park) only serve to increase the viewers anger at how these good, simple people can have their lives wiped out by the arrogance and lust for power displayed by the world's leaders.

I urge you all, by whatever means possible, to get a copy and share it amongst everyone you know. Then sit down and read Tony Blair's terrorist information pack. So funny I nearly cried.