There’s a harsh, darker reality that at any moment we could be on the brink of an all-out nuclear war with the simple push of a button. As bleak and a dismal as that statement may be, it’s difficult to ignore the harsher aspects of life. While I typically prefer to stay as clear away from the more shattering chatter of modern news, there are things to manage to strike a chord with me. Nuclear war isn’t exactly something new.
Raymond Briggs, a renowned comic writer, created a graphic novel in 1982 during the outbreak of conflict between the Soviet Union and Great Britain. This novel became a movie a few years later, providing us with one of the most horrifying and disheartening critiques of the government’s method calming the average folk. It’s a film that brings attention to the outdated methodology of simply relying on the people in power to make the choices for us, centering its story on a passive elderly couple that simply choose to follow the instructions of this World War II ideology. With all this doom and gloom, I’m here to tell you that…it doesn’t get much brighter. Find yourself some bright entertainment after this, as I talk about Jimmy Murakami’s When the Wind Blows.
Though the title may hearken back to a beloved nursery rhyme, much like the rhyme itself, there’s a context behind it. Taking place during a time of great fear for the threat of a nuclear war, an elderly couple, Jim (Johns Mills) and Hilda (Peggy Ashcroft), seem rather ambivalent to the whole affair. Casually speaking of the ensuing threat, Jim insists that they wait for the “powers-that-be” to take charge. Jim is more worried about preparing for the ensuing threat and sticking to the book, while Hilda is more worried about her household chores. With a flimsy looking fort built, the bombs drop and two are, seemingly, the only survivors left. If that sounds like I’m spoiling the ending, I’m not, that is was just the first half, there’s plenty more sadness in the following events.
As dark and dismal as everything appears to be, When the Wind Blows does keep this consistent sense of brightness. That shining light comes from our rather naive elderly couple. While it is difficult to watch them blindly follow orders, their ready optimism is very endearing. Jim’s plan-of-action attitude is accompanied by the charm of an old man rambling about his own war stories. Hilda is comically unphased by everything as her only concerns are about making sure everything is prim and proper. There’s this old-timey sweetness to them that just makes the ensuing events all the more depressing.
There are these early signs of a darker reality edging their way in. Jim speaks so casually about the “good ol’ days” with his experience in the war. Accompanying his proud sensibility is some ghastly imagery, with stylized animation that sticks apart from the comfier looking aesthetic of the rest of the film. These moments come and go, luring you in with this starker looking artstyle. When you step back and listen to what Jim is saying, it becomes rather shocking, but you at least admire his patriotism.
I think some of the best moments come from just the two talking about the menial things. There are simple aspects of life they we often take for granted, whether it be doing the washing, cooking food or doing the gardening, this film wants you to appreciate these things so much more when there’s a nuclear bomb sitting on your doorstep. Hilda is like this representation of the typical housewife of the time, while Jim is the typical World War II veteran who prefers the simpler life. These characters are as likable as they are because they remind us of our own grandparents (or great grandparents in my case.)
There’s a universal tone that this particular generation exudes. Though I may never have known a single one of my great grandparents, I always get a similar sense of uniformity from older folks. When I see characters like this, my mind instinctively turns to my own grandparents. To have someone who has lived their lives that would be suddenly thrown into a cataclysmic event in a moment’s notice would be hard to watch. This lovable couple we see in the film are not going to endure the easiest of events. This is not a film that supports the idea of following government guidelines.
It’s quite scary to think that a movie from the eighties was so laden in fear over the threat of a nuclear war when we, ourselves, could be on the brink of one at any moment. That being said, this film still works best as a specific time capsule of an era of subservience.
The choice to refer to the politicians in charge as the “powers-that-be” was an excellent one. In so many ways, those in charge often try to play god, and much like this fictional God, there is no answer given to the pleas of those in peril. There’s this theme of traditionalism and how “we must stick to way it worked before”, but this allows the naive citizens to unknowingly suffer through veiled silence. There are so many moments of Jim just going along with what he’s told, even though we, as the audience, cannot see a solution. Blind faith is this couple’s greatest enemy, but not at any point do they question the choices.
This film is disturbing as it is depressing. While the first half is full of uncanny worry, the second half pulls no punches. The bombs dropping are disturbing in its own right, but it’s the deterioration of the main characters that clenches at he soul. In the midst of the bomb site that is their house, Jim and Hilda plod on with their typical daily activities. This need to return to normal with that same passive attitude drags the spirit down, and then watching as Hilda beings feeling ill, still sticking to the belief that the “powers-that-be” will come to them with an answer has you stewing in a bowl of sadness and anger.
To say I felt sad or depressed during this entire second half is an understatement; empty is a better word. The reason for this all circles back to those similarities I could draw from the behavior my own grandparents. It’s bound to touch a nerve with everybody, you just want to see these two survive. There isn’t much hope given during this, but that desperation is persistent. The villains of the film are never seen, some might even say that it is the bomb itself, but Raymond Briggs clearly had one in mind: our very own world leaders.
There’s a lot of things that makes this film as superb as it is. I think the not-so-subtle jabs at the British government during the whole debacle is something that gives it a real identity. While it wasn’t uncommon, during this time, for writers and directors to take jabs at the government, there are very few who spoke out this obliquely. It’s taking this mass hysteria caused and overall ambivalence the government had to the situation and pointing the finger at those very people. We have moved passed this time, but not much has changed in regards to political laziness.
When people of the works of Raymond Briggs, most will look at he likes of The Snowman or Fungus the Bogeyman, so it’s little shocking to see him tackle such a grizzly subject. The artstyle does a lot to encourage this contrast. It feature’s Briggs’ more recognizable illustrations, with its pleasant, circular aesthetic, but then is sharply taken down by the horrifying imagery and the war caricatures of famous leaders. Don’t let the ‘PG’ rating trick you, this isn’t something kids are going to look at with that same joy for something The Snowman.
This film really is a melancholy treat, that is to say, it’s so melancholy that it will leave you feeling like a husk, wishing you HAD watched The Snowman instead. I’m not usually someone who dabbles in politics, only throwing an opinion or two when I feel like I can contribute to the greater discussions, but it’s hard to deny the many mistakes that all politicians cause. This film is a great example of how manipulative and laidback the entire government can be. Even aside from this, the animation is charming and the small moments of comedy help to elevate much of the sadness, but you do have to go in expecting a hard-hitting and relentless onslaught of utter sadness. If you think you can stomach it, than check it out.
Side note: “I’m walking through the air” could also apply to this films as well. *sobs uncontrollably*
Written review by Conor Johnson.