When the Wind Blows

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When the Wind Blows

1986

1h 25m

Drama

Animation

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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Alec B

Incredibly bleak stuff. At times it might feel like the movie is cruelly mocking the main characters' "Keep Calm and Carry On" mindset but then you have to remember that most people typically would have a hard time understanding that they would be doomed in this scenario.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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Maka M

Blind trust, positiv attitude asks the question, who had the better end.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Simon O

A disturing film, about the nuclear war and it's effects.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

Full Review

Lluvia A

A very depressing film, but good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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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

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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

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Jimmy T. Murakami

Director

Peggy Ashcroft

Hilda Bloggs

John Mills

Jim

Raymond Briggs

Writer

John Coates

Producer

Roger Waters

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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

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