When the Wind Blows (Blu-ray & DVD)

*This is NOT a comic! But it's based on a comic!

By Jimmy T. Murakami. Published by BFI. 

Blu-ray & DVD discs, 85 min, 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio, Colour, 1986

Jim and Hilda Bloggs (John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft) are a middle-aged couple, who believe that the British government is in control as they prepare for Nuclear War. When the countdown begins, they roll up their shirtsleeves and follow government guidelines that were actually distributed to households around Britain in the 1970s. They paint their windows white, build a fortress of doors and pillows, take the washing in and put away two packets of ginger nuts, one tin of pineapple chunks and a good supply of tea.

This cautionary tale is both humorous and macabre in its consideration of one of the most horrific possibilities of modern life. When the Wind Blows is a story about love, tenderness, humanity and hope. Adapted by Raymond Briggs (The Snowman) from his best-selling book, When the Wind Blows features an original soundtrack by Roger Waters, and title song by David Bowie.

• Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
• Audio commentary with first assistant editor Joe Fordham and film historian Nick Redman
• Jimmy Murakami: Non Alien (2010, 77 mins): feature-length documentary about the film's director
• Interview with Raymond Briggs (2005, 14 mins): writer Raymond Briggs discusses When the Wind Blows and other works
• The Wind and the Bomb (1986, 25 mins): the making-of When the Wind Blows featuring interviews with producer John Coates, director Jimmy T Murakami and writer Raymond Briggs
• Protect and Survive (1975, 50 mins): public information film about how to survive in the event of a nuclear attack
• Isolated music and effects track
• Illustrated booklet with new introduction by Raymond Briggs, an essay by executive producer Iain Harvey, writing by Jez Stewart, Claire Kitson and Bella Todd, and full film credits