Customer Reviews

When the Wind Blows [VHS]

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

A masterpiece of animation in filmaking. I remember seeing this not long after it came out in the mid 80's (I was about 13-14 years old). I found it brilliant then, and it has stood the test of time well. A very powerful movie that has everything. Outstanding visuals, dark comedy, pathos, sadness and fantastic voice acting. Everyone should watch this film, a lesson to remember how close we came during the cold war era, and that the threat is still very real today. Some of the events in the film really struck a chord with me: I remember seeing houses with whitewashed windows back then for instance.
I cannot recommend this highly enough - see it.

After hearing about this music accompanying reviews of When the Wind Blows as a movie, I was interested, due to my love of nuclear war movies.

Thanks to contacts in Australia, I received a copy of the soundtrack, record form. I must say, I wasn't disappointed.

Hearing this immediately made me fall in love with the talents of David Bowie, Squeeze, and especially, Roger Waters. Each song on this soundtrack is unique, with it's own expression on the situation of Jim and Hilda Bloggs, as well as the rest of the world.

Bowie's title track is grungy rock, which is emotionally powered and amazing, which shows he put his all into the song. The uplifting instrumental by Paul Hardcastle doesn't exactly fit in with the feeling of the rest of the track, but is an enjoyable listen.

Squeeze's "What Have They Done" is an ear-pleasing piece which became one of my top-10 favorites. Genesis does an instrumental as well, which is full of percussion, and also is odd in that it doesn't really fit either, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it. Hugh Cornwell's Facts and Figures is probably the only really uplifting song you'll hear on the soundtrack, with sensible lyrics and outstanding piano.

This is just the first side. When you flip to the second, Roger Waters takes over. This is the essential side, the one that made me fall in love with Waters and Pink Floyd in general.

The lyrics are brilliant. There are many dramatic instrumentals, with foreshadowing military drums during the Russian Missile, the American Bomber, and the British Submarine.

While Waters doesn't have too much of a voice, he gets his message across with the beautiful sound of Claire Torry in "Towers of Faith," my all-time favorite song as of now. The saxophone and guitar blew me away.

After the tense instrument when the bomb hits, it gets more grim, with an emotionally wrenching piece called Hilda's Hair, a prelude to the old couple's sad death by radiation. Which leads to Folded Flags, the final track. Waters does very well here, and it brings the whole soundtrack together to a close, making you feel depressed, but with the knowledge that it all ended with a major note and the fading away of a high-guitar string being plucked.

I guarantee you'll find a favorite in this compilation of great songs, which is the collectors' essential record to have when it comes to obscure songs by superb artists. In a nutshell, it's a brilliant, emotion-filled ride through a story told by intelligent and talented artists.

This is a film that will not leave you. Its vision of an OAP couple making preparations for a nuclear attack in vain is enough to build your sympathy for the characters. The attack and its aftermath leave this innocent, simple (but not stupid) couple in the slow and inevitable grip of radiation sickness.

Despite the subject matter there's a gentle smattering of good-natured humour, with the director almost poking fun at Jim and Hilda's best attempts to follow government advice on what to do in case of an H-bomb. This almost seems needlessly cruel, as does the fact that they survive and are left wandering a dead, destroyed landscape. But the real cruelty is that of the governments, who are deliberately left faceless and reasonless, starting what will unavoidably be the end of the world.

My cousin used to be a US Trident submarine captain and when I mentioned it to someone I knew he suggested I send my cousin a copy of this DVD. I now know why. It is beautiful, harrowing, moving and one of the most powerful artistic statements against nuclear 'deterrents' that I know of. I can't recommend it highly enough; though the Cold War may be over I still think this is an essential film.

This was watched by a 13 yr old in 1984 (ME) 25 years on I watched it again and still in awre at the lives of poor old Jim and Hilda - you actually be a part of their lives and understand literally what they are trying to do in following the governments advice to the letter...getting their food ration in and building a shelter inside their house. As the film goes on you live the lives of Jim and Hilda, right up until the end, when there is no hope left at all and they slowly drift off due to raidiation sickness........

The deep music of the film ends up staying with you. Roger Waters gravely voice is haughting to say the least but the songs ring true now as back then.

Throughly recommend this film 100%

a billiantly done cartoon which makes you question the idea that the state knows best,the main charecters are like your favourite grandparents who compare the current day problems as in the 80s with ww2 and react accordingly.
at first it is too easy to laugh at the pair and the naive way they react to the situation,but the overall sadness soon prevails but you cannot help but admire their spirit the final moments of the film with the paper sacks must be one of the saddest on any cartoon type film.
however this is not a tom and jerry type cartoon but what might have been

I remember seeing this film so many years ago. It made an impression on me just from that one viewing. Been trying to track it down since and am so relieved that it has finally been released on DVD. Managed to get the book and soundtrack but they just heightened my expectations.
This film should be compulsary viewing for everyone within power, from whatever country.
It is at times sad, poignant, moving, scary, frightening, and yes, even funny. But at all times it is thought provoking. Forget 'The Snowman'. This is THE film you need to see and also to show your children - just be ready to answer some difficult questions afterwards...

What a wonderful beautifully made piece of film.

The naivety of Mr & Mrs Bloggs believing and comparing the impact of a nuclear holocaust to the bombs dropping in WW2 and the war spirit, foolishly believing that once the bombs have dropped that modern life will return to normal. The film shows humourously the real life ridiculous advice of the government in the event of a nuclear attack during the 70s.

With a great soundtrack this film is chilling and very scary in places, but touching, heartwarming, funny, and sad all at the same time, i really enjoyed this film and you must see this film, if only once, it makes you think about what is important in life and that all the luxuries we have in the world today should never be took for granted.