When the Wind Blows (1986) / Jimmy Murakami: Non-Alien
(2010)
Blu-ray Company Release: Twilight Time
Blu-ray Company Release: Twilight Time
Starring: Sir John Mills, Dame Peggy Ashcroft
Plot: When the Wind Blows is an animated film on the effects
of nuclear holocaust on an ordinary English couple. James and Hilda Bloggs are
a happy, near-elderly pair living in the lovely rural countryside
when—seemingly out of nowhere—disaster beyond all imagining strikes. Plus the
thought provoking documentary on the director and animation god Jimmy Murakami.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: (5/5)
Documentary: (5/5)
Going into this I must be honest, I had no knowledge of it
anymore. I do remember seeing it a long time ago in my childhood because I
remember the characters and the odd animation for its time, but basically had forgotten
it. After seeing it now, I was floored during and after it. This is an animated/Stop
motion feature film perfection with a haunting statement and a brutal reality
to think about. This is directed by Jimmy Murakami who I knew and most know by
his other animated feature that I lovingly grew up with 1982’s The Snowman
which is a priceless and beautiful feature. When the Wind Blows is an amazing
account of an elderly couple. The husband James is retired and is horrified
with the increasing news of a nuclear war and sets about preparing for the doom.
His wife Hilda basically does her daily things and their son Ron thinks his
father’s preparing is useless. What is so
unique and different about this beautiful stunning piece is the drawn animation
of the characters but the surroundings such as the house and many objects are real
live action and basically only move through that stop motion. This adds a true
originality to the concept of creating a horrifying reality of coming war and
dread and picturing and piecing together that idea of horror and crafting that
drama around animation.
This is based on Raymond Briggs graphic novel. Briggs is a
master illustrator and cartoonist and what we use to call comic books but
today is known as graphic novels. Like I say he is best known for his amazing
The Snowman book which was ultimately created into the animated feature The
Snowman by Jimmy Murakami. It has become a classic with young and old. No
matter what you look at by Briggs his talent is extraordinary and very gifted
and creates life to these illustrations that only he can do. Murakami took the
visionary work of When the Wind Blows and crafted a masterpiece story with animation in a thought provoking and eye opening way that everyone can relate
to. To me When the Wind Blows stands the test of time. It is as important now
as when it came out. The tension and escalating aspects of war in the news
around the world today is no different than James Briggs Nuclear war in When
the Wind Blows.
It is the soundtrack to this film that brings out the
amazing reality that it is. Roger Waters and David Bowie, Genesis, Squeeze,
Paul Hardcastle and many others lead the viewer into not only ear perfection
but it gives the animation all the more life and situations taking place.
Twilight Time realized this quality and crafted the film on their special
edition Blu-ray because of the beauty of this soundtrack. Twilight Time is
geared to the music reality of features and the feature When the Winds Blows
is only fitting that it belongs on this Blu-ray of might I add brilliance on
their part. Twilight Time rediscovered the beauty of the film not only in
imagery but also in listening. I really enjoy when companies take the time to
honor a piece of cinema history and also the music behind it. I think movies
need music, they need sound and effects. Most movies are more in-depth and more
memorable because of music. Sometimes the soundtrack brings to life the emotions
in people. Sometimes music tells the whole story of the film. When the Wind
Blows is one of those features that the animation mixes with the music to tell
the tale being told.
I feel this is a film that brings out the real reality of
war and showcases the horrible aftermath of total devastation. James and Hilda
becomes a part of you and you fall in love with them and you cannot help but
feel the pain and suffering and ultimate sadness that happens. There is such a
deep message in this feature that gives the viewer everything you need to call
this animated/stop motion feature a masterpiece of story and a unique visionary
beginning, middle and most of all end. It’s a film that transcends all
generations and never grows out dated in my viewpoint. It’s an eye opening
experience and the ordeal these two little elderly people go through is heart
wrenching and yes tear jerking.
Now I think what ultimately needs to be discussed is who
directed this and that is the animation master the one and only Teruaki “Jimmy”
Murakami. He was such a gifted man. I think he is someone that has never got
the acclaim he deserved in life. Yes he was awarded in life but I feel he was
never given the household name recognition that he deserved. His reality would
be a huge part of my childhood with such amazing classics like the aforementioned
The Snowman. But it is his producing through his company Murakami Wolf Dublin
that would be a part of my growing up and that is producing some of the
original animated TV series The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now on a
different side note, he was also a part of my Drive-in B-movie loving, late night
reality of childhood, directing the one and only b-grade live action, space
adventure, Roger Corman’s Battle Beyond the Stars (1980). His talent at
direction and animation was something so different and so out there and so
beautiful yet at times haunting that everything he did just left a lasting mark
on you. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his short film The Magic Pear
Tree (1968). But it will always be The Snowman and When the Wind Blows that I
will always remember so vividly. Twilight Time honored him and crafted this
stunning animated film with an outlet that it deserved and greatly respected. I
am so happy to own this feature. I am so amazed at the beauty Twilight Time
gave to the feature and most of all adding the wonderful documentary directed
by Se Merry Doyle. He used Murakami as the subject and titled it Jimmy
Murakami- Non Alien; it came out in 2010. Twilight Time added it to this
Special Edition release and it just shines right along with When the Wind Blows, in that you get to experience who this legend was.
Audio/Video: (5/5)
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.33:1
AUDIO: English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
1986 / Color
84 MINUTES
NOT RATED
The documentary Non Alien is a powerful portrait of this
pioneering master and visual god. Se Merry Doyle did a wonderful reality to
animation and to lovers of cinema in crafting a documentary on this legend. It’s a documentary that shines light on Jimmy and gives him the
wonderful recognition he deserves and gives this modern generation a reality to
experience this master. A touching and thought provoking film by Se Merry Doyle
and I highly praise and recommend this Blu-ray not only for the feature and
music but for this documentary. Animated lovers and historians of animation
will accept and praise this documentary film.
JIMMY MURAKAMI: NON-ALIEN
Director: Se Merry Doyle
Composer: Ger Kiely
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.78:1
AUDIO: English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
2010 / Color
75 MINUTES
NOT RATED
REGION FREE
Extras: (5/5)
The features are absolutely amazing. I loved the Interview
with Raymond Briggs and was in heaven with the commentary; a must listen.
Really enjoyed everything that came with it. Now what stands out as in all
Twilight Time Blu-rays is the Isolated Music and Effects track which is
priceless in its own self and the Blu-ray deserves a buy just for it.
Isolated Music & Effects Track
Audio Commentary with First Assistant Editor Joe Fordham and
Film Historian Nick Redman
The Wind and the Bomb - The Making of When the Wind Blows
An Interview with Raymond Briggs
Liner Notes with Julie Kirgo
Overall Product Rating: (5/5)
This is a perfect example of characters, story and leaves a lasting
mark on the viewer and cinema history. The other added beauty is the
documentary and also the wonderful special features. Another amazing release by
Twilight Time. They shine for the lover of music and the lover of cinema.
Perfect watch and this Blu-ray is a perfect buy.
INFO:
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