Welcome to a brand new segment here at The Pixel Parlor called Cold Classics, where we will be putting a spotlight on classic (or at least vintage) films that deserve some much-needed recognition and appreciation today!

I decided to kick off Cold Classics with a movie I recently had the opportunity to watch that managed to really leave a lasting impression in the way I haven’t experienced since Grave of the Fireflies. This is a film adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Raymond Briggs from 1986 called When the Wind Blows.

Our story begins in southeast England in the rural countryside, where we get a glimpse into the sweet, simplistic life of Jim and Hilda Bloggs. Jim enjoys traveling into town to pick up newspapers and educational pamphlets dedicated to fallout preparation in the midst of the nuclear crisis between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. While this tense event would understandably be terrifying for anyone, it seems Jim takes comfort in self-preparation and is ever-ready to provide his expert instruction to anyone willing to listen to what he has read. His wife, Hilda, is more or less uninterested as long as these events do not interfere with her daily activities of cooking and cleaning, which she takes great pride in.

Unfortunately, the day comes when their fears become their bitter reality, and an ICBM strike sends devastating shock waves to nearly destroy their home. Jim is as prepared as one in his position can be and pulls his wife to the safety of their fallout shelter, which is only a mattress surrounded by doors taken from their hinges and leaned against the wall of their home at an angle.

Hours and then days pass as Jim and Hilda try to maintain as much normality as they can while waiting for aid. They soon run out of food and safe water, eventually breaking many of the fallout precautions and instructions. It isn’t too long until the couple begins to feel the effects of the environmental devastation and eventually succumb to the illness.

This animated film is a hauntingly beautiful and tragic reminder of what war looks like. From the threat of conflict, the propaganda and information that can often be flawed or downright incorrect, to the end result of living and dying in the aftermath of the disaster. From the start of the film, it is evident from conversations between Jim and Hilda that war has been a constant in their lives since childhood and that this threat was no different from the preparations they took during World War II. They even spoke with nostalgia about those days and how this would ultimately become just another memory with time.

Another incredible detail of the film is the hybrid art style. The characters are hand-drawn, but the majority of the environment and objects are actually real and are animated in a stop-motion style. What’s even more impressive is the attention to the fact that the style itself is based on the Protect and Survive public info films and the booklet Jim constantly refers to throughout the animation.

As if that wasn’t cool enough, the title song was performed by THE David Bowie. It was a perfect introduction of the film to give feelings of eeriness of what was to come.

As of August 2025, you can watch this amazing and heartwrenching Cold Classic for free in the USA on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video, but you can also find it on YouTube TV with a premium subscription.

Have you seen When the Wind Blows and have something to add to the discussion? Leave a comment below and share this article on your socials to keep the conversation going!