When the Wind Blows

        When the Wind Blows (1986), by Jimmy Murakami, based on Raymond Brigg's graphic novel of the same name, demonstrates the potential of animation to act as a platform to communicate political messages.

        The animation remains faithful to Briggs' original style, which closely mirrors that of The Snowman, and yet the juxtaposition between style and story could not be greater. The familiar, rotund characters and softly coloured backgrounds cruelly lull the audience into a false sense of security before exploiting the fear of nuclear holocaust that much of the population felt during the cold war. The protagonists, Jim and Hilda Bloggs, are well placed to draw empathy from the audience; old, vulnerable and completely trusting in the advice the government offers. It is like watching this awful fate befall your grandparents.

        Although When the Wind Blows is narratively driven, unlike many propganda films, including Disney's film Education for Death which emulates a documentary, following a child's indoctrination into the Nazi party), the scathing criticism of the government is clear. As Jim and Hilda blindly follow the government's futile advice and instruction, their health gruesomely deteriorates, and yet Jim's faith in the government endures.

        Murakami's film uses dark humour to approach a particularly difficult subject, but this doesn't detract from the message that the government was greatly unprepared for the threat or nuclear warfare and would be unable to protect and help the population relying upon them.