When the Wind Blows

Play trailer

When the Wind Blows

1986

1h 25m

Drama

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In this hand-drawn animated tale, elderly married couple Hilda (Peggy Ashcroft) and Jim Bloggs (John Mills) have their quiet, simple lives in the English countryside interrupted when they learn of an impending nuclear attack. Not completely understanding the gravity of their situation, Hilda and Jim react archaically and insufficiently after the attack -- and the film takes a dark turn as the radiation begins taking its toll on the unsuspecting couple.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

A bleak, but lavishly animated marvel.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 3, 2020

Full Review

Sergio Benítez

Espinof

A jewel, with capital letters, of the animated cinema of all time. [Full Review in Spanish]

Sep 4, 2019

Full Review

Scott Clark

Starburst

What begins as a comfy film about an old (if stubborn) British couple in their twilight years becomes a scathing attack on apathy.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 14, 2018

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Political documents from prior generations can't help but lose their force, and yet this is just as powerful now as it ever could have been.

Rated: 10/10

Jul 10, 2016

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Oct 19, 2005

Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson

LYTRules.com

The images from the movie are haunting, and have stuck with me the past few days, but I feel like maybe I've dragged them out of my subconscious, where they no longer belong.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 3, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Oaklee D

A devastating and thoroughly depressing film that is hard to watch at points, this film is as relevant now as it was when it first came out.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

Shawn R

One of the best animated films of all time, and quite educational.. a must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

James R

I love this movie so much! It has great animation, a nice story, it's well written, and it is highly emotional. Maybe it's just my bias toward movies having to do with nuclear weapons and stuff (I do love all things nuclear) this movie is a very great film and it doesn't need to be all action-packed or anything to work. I was entertained throughout the entire film. I'm not sure if everybody else was, but I was, and I just really like this movie. Anybody should definitely watch it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/25

Full Review

Ryan A

Just superb. It keeps you thinking throughout and whilst deep down you are aware of the bleak outcome of nuclear war you continue to hold out hope as do our main characters throughout.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

Full Review

Rhys R

It's the greatest movie I've ever seen! I've been looking for a movie like this. In fact I've watched it 2 times already. So I would recommend this movie to others! Even though it is a little sad, but it is a legend of a movie! Defiantly a hall of fame movie and song for sure!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Joseph C

Honestly, it was okay. Not as good as Threads or the day after, but it was okay. The British accents make me laugh my ass off with how over the top they are especially the 'Get back here you stupid b**** and get in the shelter!' After that its depressing as one would expect

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jimmy T. Murakami

Director

Peggy Ashcroft

Hilda Bloggs

John Mills

Jim

Raymond Briggs

Writer

John Coates

Producer

Roger Waters

Music

Before the Rain

92%

94%

Before the Rain

Watchlist

The Illusionist

90%

79%

The Illusionist

Watchlist

Waking Life

81%

87%

Waking Life

Watchlist

Stormy Monday

78%

49%

Stormy Monday

Watchlist

Faust

73%

90%

Faust

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this hand-drawn animated tale, elderly married couple Hilda (Peggy Ashcroft) and Jim Bloggs (John Mills) have their quiet, simple lives in the English countryside interrupted when they learn of an impending nuclear attack. Not completely understanding the gravity of their situation, Hilda and Jim react archaically and insufficiently after the attack -- and the film takes a dark turn as the radiation begins taking its toll on the unsuspecting couple.

Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Producer: John Coates
Screenwriter: Raymond Briggs
Production Co: TVC London, British Screen Productions, Penguin Books, Film Four International, Meltdown Productions
Genre: Drama, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 12, 2020
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now