The Blitz has since developed into an integral part of Britain’s national psyche, being called upon in times of crisis and inspired by the likes of Doctor Who, Dad’s Army (1968-1977) and Goodnight Sweetheart (1993-1999). provides a vague but reassuringly familiar setting for a sitcom episode. ). When John Boorman dramatized the bombings of his childhood in the 1987 film Hope and Glory, he wrote in the script’s preface, “What a wonderful thing war was…about identity.” All our uncertainty, our confusion, may be submerged in the common good. A full-fledged brass band, standing against evil with spine-chilling, choked patriotism.”
The legend surrounding this chapter of British history is that during the dark months between September 1940 and May 1941, more than 40,000 people were murdered in towns and cities across Britain, and millions more were left homeless. It often obscures the enormity of what happened. This era is once again brought into sharp focus by Oscar-winning artist and director Steve McQueen. His new film, Blitz, follows the journey of nine-year-old George (Elliot Heffernan) through bombed-out London in search of his mother, Rita (Saoirse Ronan). His journey provides a raw and surprising glimpse into both the horrors of air raids and humanity.
The reality of “Blitz Spirit”
Historian Joshua Levine, author of The Secret History of the Blitz, served as McQueen’s historical advisor on the film. “People try to simplify and accept the past,” he told the BBC. “Blitzkrieg served its purpose for the British state at the time, being used as a propaganda tool to win Americans over, and an oversimplified narrative of the ‘spirit of Blitzkrieg’ spread. More recently, reactions to it was that “the Blitzkrieg mentality was complete nonsense, people were not united, it was a shock, and everyone was cheating.” Of course, it should surprise no one that there is an element of neither of these being entirely true. True for both, but everything was much more subtle, much more complex, and much more interesting.
“Steve McQueen was an artist, but he was passionate about making movies feel right and look right. It’s very difficult to make a movie look this extraordinary while still being accurate, and he That’s what I accomplished.” ”
