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 | nuclear fallout | black comedy | 

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Taglines:

From the makers of YELLOW SUBMARINE and THE SNOWMAN a new classic of British animation

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was part of a cycle of movies about nuclear war and the risks of nuclear energy. Other movies included: The China Syndrome (1979), 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 (1983), Rules of Engagement (1989), Dead Man's Letters (1986), Memoirs of a Survivor (1981), and The Chain Reaction (1980).

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Goofs

Jim needs glasses to read but doesn't wear them when reading the newspapers in the library at the beginning of the film.

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Quotes

Jim: Old Joe Stalin.
Hilda: He was a nice chap. I liked him. Like an uncle, he was.

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits, Morse code can be heard in the background. The code, when translated, means "MAD". MAD is an abbreviation for the term "Mutually Assured Destruction".

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Alternate Versions

From the Castilian Spanish dubbing, Fernando Rey and Irene Gutiérrez Caba were cast to be the voices of the main characters.

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Connections

Featured in 30 Greatest Disaster Movies (2015)

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Soundtracks

Folded Flags
Written by Roger Waters
Performed by Roger Waters and The Bleeding Heart Band

User Reviews

Blimey, ducks - there's only three minutes to go....

This film is an amazing contrast: its extremely dark subject matter is totally belied by the beautifully-drawn backdrops and sweet cartoon style. As adult animations are so rare this style grabs you at once, and it is impossible not to be gripped. Anyone who doesn't remember the Cold War should note that the advice about the doors and painting the windows white was the true advice at the time. Where this film is so effective is its perfect charicatures of elderly folk determined to keep the British stiff upper lip, with no idea about nuclear weapons. My grandparents are exactly like this couple, I could see my nan also bringing in the washing during the four-minute warning. We never see the couple's son but his refusal to adhere to the government's "Protect & Survive" advice, singing the Tom Lehrer song down the phone to his father, is a far more realistic attitude towards what is about to happen. Living only 12 miles from London when I first saw this film I was inclined to agree with the son (and still do). Although the geopolitical map of the world is different now this is still an immensely valuable film as it shows what the risks were during the Cold War and is a chilling reminder that although the Cold War may be over, the weapons are still here. It could not be more different in presentation to the equally brilliant but far more horrifying Threads - but the message is the same.

Details

Official Sites:

At Entertainment [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

When the Wind Blows

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,597, 13 March 1988

Gross USA:

$5,274

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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