From the sweeping epics of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’ to the intensity of ‘1917’ and ‘Dunkirk,’ war dramas have a long history of captivating audiences and winning Oscars. Now, it seems, the latest film from Academy Award-winning director Steve McQueen, ‘Blitz,’ is poised to follow in their footsteps. This gripping drama, set against the backdrop of the devastating Blitz on London during World War II, promises to be a powerful and emotionally charged experience.
Starring an ensemble cast including four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, breakout star Harris Dickinson, and music legend Paul Weller, ‘Blitz’ centers on the story of nine-year-old George (played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan). As bombs rain down on London, George’s mother, Rita (Ronan), makes the difficult decision to send him to the safety of the English countryside. However, when George fails to arrive at his destination, Rita embarks on a desperate search, fueled by the overwhelming fear of a mother’s love. Meanwhile, George, defiant and determined to return home to his mother and grandfather, Gerald (Weller), embarks on his own perilous adventure through the ravaged city. He faces unimaginable dangers as he flees crashing planes, collapsing buildings, and falling bombs.
The first trailer for ‘Blitz’ was released on September 19th, ahead of the film’s world premiere at the London Film Festival on October 9th. As expected, the trailer is both tense and awe-inspiring, offering glimpses of the film’s harrowing depictions of aerial bombardment, raging fires, and the destruction wrought upon London. The trailer also showcases the stunning reconstruction of 1940s London, achieved through the expertise of production designer Adam Stockhausen, who has previously collaborated with McQueen on ’12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Widows’ and is known for his work with Wes Anderson. The film’s striking visual style is further enhanced by costume designer Jacqueline Durran (known for her work on films like ‘Pride & Prejudice,’ ‘Atonement,’ and ‘Little Women’), who has created a captivating wardrobe of sharp skirt suits and tea dresses for the characters. The rousing score, composed by Hans Zimmer, adds another layer of intensity and emotion to the film.
Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long to experience ‘Blitz’ for ourselves. The film will hit theaters on November 1st before making its way to Apple TV+ on November 22nd. After that, it will be interesting to see if ‘Blitz’ follows in the footsteps of its predecessors and earns its place in the history of Oscar-winning war dramas.
