Following George (Elliott Heffernan), a nine-year-old boy who has fled from his evacuation train, and his determined journey to return home to his mother (Saoirse Ronan), we discover a Britain in turmoil—but not in the way we expected. Yes, we are met with air raids and explosions yet, much in McQueen’s fashion, the biggest bombshell is a more personal and humanised storyline.
Known for tackling difficult subjects with unflinching realism (12 Years a Slave, Shame), McQueen once again subverts expectations. While other recent wartime films like The Darkest Hour and Dunkirk celebrate resilience and heroism, Blitz reveals the fractures and inequalities within British society, painting a grittier and more unvarnished portrait of the era.
I feel Blitz took on quite a lot with what it set out to do.
Through George, a scared, prejudiced child who faces battles beyond German planes, we receive a stern reminder that Britain, despite its hardships, was not a unified country in the 1940s—just as it isn’t today. Heffernan captures George’s vulnerability brilliantly while still conveying his determination to find his way home. One criticism however is that the story almost felt like a fairy tale, with George able to overcome seemingly insurmountable situations along his journey.
Ronan provided a compelling performance as a distressed mother who was the heartbeat of the film: her beautiful singing voice and scenes of the family together at the piano were some of the most heartwarming moments in the movie. This film is necessary in 2024 as it provides a much-needed spotlight on the lives of minorities in wartime Britain, yet I feel Blitz took on quite a lot with what it set out to do.
Most opportunities and characters, such as Ife (a Black policeman) and fellow evacuees who could have helped expand George’s character, were cut short often with brutal consequences. While this reflects the harsh realities of wartime Britain, it left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied with where the film ended.
Overall, Blitz can be seen as a success and boasts scenes that will resonate with me for a long time. However, it wasn’t quite the complete product.
