This article contains spoilers for Blitz.
Telling the story of a mother and son separated during a World War II bombing in Britain,Blitztakes inspiration from real-life events to offera gut-wrenching portrait of the war as it was experienced by civilians. LeadingtheBlitzcastare actress Saoirse Ronan and young talent Elliott Heffernan, whose tender performance will have you rooting for their reunion. As the city’s children are sent to the countryside to be away from the bombings, George’s innocence blinds him to the gravity of the situation, and he embarks on a dangerous journey to return home.
Although earlyreviews forBlitzare mixed, Steve McQueen’s movie stands out for presenting a nuanced piece of history told from the unusual perspective of a nine-year-old black boy. Notably, of thebest 2024 war movies,Blitzis the only one to explore racial conflicts amidst national struggles. George’s reluctance to join the rest of the kids in the countryside, although naive, is sustained by his alienated status among his peers.McQueen took inspiration from real war events to portray the coming-of-age questof a mother and son searching for each other.
Blitz’s George Was Inspired By A Young Boy In A Photograph Found By Director Steve McQueen
With Blitz, McQueen Was Interested In Depicting The Boy’s Experience During War
While working onSmall Axe,Steve McQueen came across a 1940s photograph of a black boywearing a big coat and carrying a suitcase as he prepared to evacuate from London (viaLos Angeles Times). The child was part of over 800,000 children who were transported out of the U.K. during the German air raids. Immediately, the12 Years of Slavedirector wanted to know more, “Who was he, what was his story, we need to see the war through his eyes. What was it like for him?” (viaThe Guardian).
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They say all is fair in love and war, and cinema has taken great liberties with the latter. However, it’s also been impressively creative.
Although the real boy remains unidentified, McQueen gave him a story with the character of George. As a son of West Indian immigrants, the director became interested in knowingwhat the little mixed-race boy’s family and close community endured before and during the war. Accordingly,Blitzmaps a series of micro-stories that reveal the war adventures and misfortunes of factory workers, thieves, overcrowded shelters, immigrants, and children. In fleeting but poignant interactions, George witnesses the best and worst of humanity, and through everything, he finds himself.
How The Real WW2 Bombing Inspired Blitz’s Fictional Characters
Blitz Pulls Inspiration From Documented But Ignored Civilian Tragedies And Hardships
In September 1940 and May 1941, the German Air Force executed a bombing campaign against British cities that resulted in more than 43,500 deaths. The event was named The Blitz, which translates to “lighting war.” The attack provokeda series of disasters that also allowed all kinds of abuse that went unnoticed, and which served as inspiration forBlitz. The tragedies were experienced by civilians of all backgrounds, who were merely trying to survive amidst the palpable and approaching threat.
Among the most harrowing events depicted inBlitzare the stories of three siblings who refuse to be separated, a young and heroic Nigerian soldier, and a band of cruel robbers who defile dead bodies in search of their riches.
JoiningSaoirse Ronan’s best movies, inBlitz, the actress gives voice to the brave women who sent their children away and risked their lives working in factories despite bombing alerts. In a key scene, Rita protests for the opening of underground shelters. However, the director is determined to demonstrate that, in war, no place is safe. The movie featuresa shocking incident in a London subway stationthat people use for shelter. When a bomb hits the city, a water pipe breaks, causing the place to flood. The sequence emulates two real subway tragedies that occurred during the war (viaBiography).
Among the most harrowing events depicted inBlitzare the stories of three siblings who refuse to be separated, a young and heroic Nigerian soldier, and a band of cruel robbers who defile dead bodies in search of their riches. All of these characters, if maybe aren’t specifically based on real people,pull inspiration from actual lived experiences in the war that have been easy to bury against the larger narrativesfocusing on battle or the political celebrities at the forefront of the conflict. McQueen represents how civilian people were affected during the Blitz, especially minorities and children.
Blitz
Cast
During the London Blitz of World War II, a diverse group of Londoners navigates the chaos and destruction of the German bombardment. Their intertwined stories of survival, resilience, and camaraderie capture the spirit of a city under siege.
