Phil Roberts 
In Blitz, Steve McQueen skillfully creates a story that captures the intense emotions of the darkest days from the perspective of a ten-year-old boy.
Movies centering on World War II are standard, but very few capture the true essence of how it felt to live at ground level. For Londoners, the Blitz represents some of the most challenging days the country has ever experienced. While some may feel a sense of nostalgia for those difficult times, it’s crucial not to overlook the true hysteria, horror, and devastation that swept through the streets.
Enter Steve McQueen. The visionary filmmaker has carved out a niche with his incredibly layered and thought-provoking films. 12 Years A Slave cemented his place in the upper echelons of filmmakers at the forefront of their craft. So when he turns his attention to the Blitz, the world should take notice. But can the director genuinely capture the essence of the Blitz and avoid romanticizing this grim period of British history? Or should the Blitz have remained in the blackout?!
REVIEW
Fear not, movie fans, because Steve McQueen has delivered a rare gem. In Blitz, the director has crafted a bold scale but intimate tale that showcases the darkest days through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy – and the journey is harrowing. Not afraid to tell a realistic and gritty story, McQueen gets down to business and charges into the chaos head-on, telling a weighted but poignant story about a mother and son separated during the bombings.
McQueen has revealed that this story was inspired by a picture from the period showing a ten-year-old black child on the streets of London at the height of the devastation. Feeling that this story needed to be told, the story comes to life in vivid detail. The film confronts the harsh realities of war head-on, from the segregation of different races to the profound suffering experienced by both the upper and lower classes. Its unflinching portrayal of these horrors adds depth to the film, making it all the more powerful.
DEVASTATION
After a harrowing opening salvo, McQueen gets down to business and introduces us to the characters who will carry this bold story forward. The movie centers on nine-year-old George, played by Elliott Heffernan in his debut role, and his adoring mother, Rita. The devoted mother, Rita, brings her biracial son up in the heart of London. Although overt racism isn’t prominently displayed during this time, there is an underlying tone that infiltrates daily life, mainly because Rita is white.
Undeterred, the duo and George’s Grandfather, played by the brilliant Paul Weller, strive to keep the British spirit alive and play their role in the war effort. Weller’s Gerald is a singer/songwriter, and Rita works at a munitions factory. McQueen brings his usual rich texture and rare tenderness to Rita, just as he has done with his previous characters. The initial scenes depict a heartwrenching predicament that would strike fear into the heart of any parent.
While considering the difficult decision of sending her son away, the family comes together around the piano to savor precious moments of music, which are sadly overshadowed by the constant noise of bombs finding their targets. A significant attack forces Rita to consider sending George away from the country to ensure his safety, and a heartwrenching separation follows.Â
MOTHER & SON
The scene of a mother and son parting ways is heart-wrenching, yet it is a vital setup for the main storyline. Rita copes with their separation by dedicating her time to volunteering at even more short-staffed shelters. Meanwhile, George boards a train headed for the countryside, but shortly into the journey, he decides to jump off and find his way back home. Unaware of George’s actions, Rita spends her days evading air raids and contributing to the war effort. At the same time, George encounters one crisis after another as he endeavors to make his way home. Many of these ordeals stretch the material to its limits and become more improbable as they emerge, which is one of the film’s most significant flaws.
The story switches between moments in Rita and George’s lives, using flashbacks to reveal more about their family dynamic and challenges. These layers from the past add depth to the evolving story as it unfolds. The outcomes also shape how they deal with every obstacle as they emerge.Â
STEVE MCQUEEN
McQueen skillfully weaves his usual social commentary into the narrative of the film. Despite the unconventional historical context, the film effectively highlights privilege and race, showing how these differences diminish in the face of war. During the press conference, McQueen shared that he aimed to tell a unique story about different races confronting the onset of war, which had never been explored before. It makes for a compelling subplot and highlights the cultural changes at play, and it’s one of the film’s major strengths.Â
The film’s impressive cinematography captures some of the most intense and shocking war scenes, particularly the depiction of a devastated and burning London. Enhanced by Hans Zimmer’s haunting music, these visuals effectively convey the immense scale of war. Even at street level, Stephen Graham’s gang of cutthroats exploits the war-torn streets, providing a raw look into the darkest aspects of humanity.
CHARACTERS
The film addresses this by shifting its focus to a woman’s viewpoint on war. It goes beyond simply showing women serving tea; it goes the extra mile to take us into the munitions factory shop floors. Saoirse Ronan, Erin Kellyman, and Hayley Squires shine in this film with their beautiful performances. However, it’s disappointing that Benjamin Clementine, Harris Dickinson, and Leigh Gill, who portray real-life characters, are not given enough screen time despite adding depth to the film with their presence.
The standout of the movie has to be Elliott Heffernan. Despite his young age, Heffernan delivers an incredibly mature performance. He effortlessly embodies his character with a vibrant energy that lifts every scene he’s in. With this kind of talent, he has a bright future ahead. I can’t wait to see where his career takes him next.
VERDICT
Overall, Steve McQueen has delivered a grand and intimate spectacle in Blitz. Newcomer Elliott Heffernan provides a stellar performance in this well-layered, gritty, and poignant walk through the streets of wartime London. The film’s solid performances, punchy score, and grand and impressive set design make it a certified but slightly underwhelming triumph. It’s far from McQueen’s best work, but one can only admire the effort.Â
Blitz will be released in select cinemas in the United Kingdom and the United States on November 1, 2024. It will then be available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting November 22, 2024.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
