When the Wind Blows (1986)

A naive elderly British rural couple survive the initial onslaught of a nuclear war.

Director:

Jimmy T. Murakami

Writers:

Raymond Briggs (book), Raymond Briggs (script)

Stars:

Peggy Ashcroft, John Mills, Robin Houston

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Hilda Bloggs (voice)
John Mills	...	Jim (voice)
Robin Houston	...	Announcer (voice)
James Russell	...	(voice)
David Dundas	...	(voice)
Matt Irving	...	(voice)

Storyline

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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Plot Keywords:

tragedy | adult animation | nuclear war | black comedy | pudding | 

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Taglines:

...It's No Fairy Tale

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

At Entertainment [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Quando o Vento Sopra

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,597, 13 March 1988, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,274

Company Credits

Production Co:

Meltdown Productions, British Screen Productions, Film Four International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was part of a 1980s cycle of films about nuclear warfare and the risks of nuclear energy which had started in 1979 with The China Syndrome (1979). The films included Silkwood (1983), Testament (1983), Threads (1984), WarGames (1983), The Day After (1983), The Atomic Cafe (1982), The Manhattan Project (1986), Whoops Apocalypse (1982), Special Bulletin (1983), Ground Zero (1987), Barefoot Gen (Hadashi no Gen (1983)), Rules of Engagement (1989), When the Wind Blows (1986), Letters from a Dead Man (Pisma myortvogo cheloveka (1986)), Memoirs of a Survivor (1981) and The Chain Reaction (1980).

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Goofs

At the beginning of the scene in which Jim and Hilda are bedridden, Hilda's feet are missing for a few frames as the camera pans across.

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Quotes

Jim: We must keep abreast of the international situation, Love. See, the decisions made by the powers-that-be will get to us in the end.

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Crazy Credits

When the film opened in Denmark the voices were dubbed by Ghita Nørby and Ove Sprogøe. Simply awful.

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Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005)

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Soundtracks

The Brazilian
Written and Performed by Genesis
Produced by Genesis and Hugh Padgham

User Reviews

god,our rock in ages past

This film is based on a story by Raymond Briggs ,of "The Snowman" fame. This film is proof that cartoons aren't just for kids and it will disturb you deeply. Mr and Mrs Bloggs,voiced by John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft,are a sweet English couple, peacefully living out their remaining years in the country,whose lives are going to be shattered by nucleur war. The main premise of the film is that they really don't have a clue about what is going to happen.They get very little advice and what advice they do get is different.The government gives different advice from the local council. The film is full of reminiscences about WWII and how the couple believe that the government and emergency services will see them all right in the end. After the bomb hits it is sad to the see the couple slowly deteriorate but even to the very end still certain that the government and emergency service's will come to their rescue. Watch this film if you ever get a chance but don't watch it expecting a happy ending because the end will just wrench at your heart strings and leave you thinking "but for the grace of god go I"