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When the Wind Blows

Play trailer Poster for When the Wind Blows 1986 1h 25m Drama Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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When the Wind Blows

Critics Reviews

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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 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

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review Shawn R One of the best animated films of all time.. a must see! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 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
When the Wind Blows

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Cast & Crew

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Jimmy T. Murakami

Director

Peggy Ashcroft

Hilda Bloggs

John Mills

Jim

Raymond Briggs

Writer

John Coates

Producer

Roger Waters

Music

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When the Wind Blows

When the Wind Blows (1986) When the Wind Blows (1986) When the Wind Blows (1986) When the Wind Blows (1986) When the Wind Blows (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

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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