31.5.06
When the Wind Blows
When the Wind Blows – 1986
Having seen Grave of the Fireflies, it would seem animation is the best way to tell a moving story. This one is based on a Raymond Briggs graphic novel about an old British couple, Jim (Sir John Mills does the voice) and Hilda. They are preparing for a rather sudden WW3 (between America and Russia) but not really understanding that this is nothing like the heavily referenced in this film WW2, but rather it's a nuclear world war. They survive the blast and experience the fallout, not quite grasping it and holding onto to the belief that the Government has everything under control and that help will arrive to their small country home. In reality it would seem most are dead and the Government has gone. We watch them slowly succumb to the poisoness air, thick with dust with light-hearted conversation and quite beautiful animation sequences into their pasts and thoughts. Everyone should watch this film.
The music is especially good, provided by David Bowie. Not surprisingly the director is a Japanese – Jimmy Murakami. 9/10
