A naive elderly British rural couple survive the initial onslaught of a nuclear war.A naive elderly British rural couple survive the initial onslaught of a nuclear war.A naive elderly British rural couple survive the initial onslaught of a nuclear war.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Hilda Bloggs
- (voice)
- Jim Bloggs
- (voice)
- Announcer
- (voice)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDavid Bowie was originally slated to record several songs for the film but was only able to contribute the title song due to time constraints regarding his then-upcoming album "Never Let Me Down". Roger Waters contributed to most of the film's songs instead.
- GoofsAt the beginning of the scene in which Jim and Hilda are bedridden, Hilda's feet are missing for a few frames as the camera pans across.
- Quotes
[dying of radiation poisoning]
Hilda: Shall we... pray, dear?
Jim: Pray?
Hilda: Yes.
Jim: All right then... But... to who?
Hilda: God, of course.
Jim: Oh, oh, oh, I see... Yes, yes... Would that be the correct thing?
Hilda: It can't do any harm, dear.
Jim: Ok, um... Here it goes... Dear sir...
Hilda: No, that's wrong, dear.
Jim: Well, uh... How, how do you start?
Hilda: Our God...
Jim: -our help, in ages past...
Hilda: That's it, dear. Keep it up.
Jim: Almighty and most merciful father...
Hilda: That's good.
Jim: Dearly beloved... we are gathered... unto thee. I shall fear no evil. Thy rod and thy staff comfort me all the days of my life.
[beginning to suffocate]
Jim: Lay me down in green pastures... I... I can't remember anymore.
Hilda: That was nice, dear. I liked the bit about the green pastures.
Jim: Oh, yes, yes. Into the valley of the shadow of death...
Hilda: Oh, no more love. No more.
Jim: ...rode the six hundred.
[they die]
- Crazy creditsAfter the end credits, Morse code can be heard in the background. The code, when translated, means "MAD". MAD is an abbreviation for the term "Mutually Assured Destruction".
- Alternate versionsFrom the Castilian Spanish dubbing, Fernando Rey and Irene Gutiérrez Caba were cast to be the voices of the main characters.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Years Ahead: Episode #5.1 (1986)
- SoundtracksWhen the Wind Blows
Written by David Bowie and Erdal Kizilcay
Performed by David Bowie
Produced by David Bowie and David Richards
Powerful, poignant anti-war movie. Mixes nonchalance and English laugh-in-the-face of danger humour with some incredibly shocking reminders of the effects of nuclear war. Funny and terrifying, all at the same time.
Quite emotional too. We see flashes of Jim and Hilda's history, the life they had, the simplicity and innocence of their existence and how this is shattered.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Wenn der Wind weht
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,274
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,597
- Mar 13, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $5,274
- Runtime1 hour 24 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1