One year after his documentary Occupied City, Steve McQueen returns with a new World War II narrative feature, the Blitz movie, capturing the London Blitz of 1940-41.
Steve McQueen has made a name for himself with powerful films, and the Steve McQueen Blitz movie is no exception. Following his success with Occupied City, McQueen now turns to fiction with a feature set during the London Blitz. The film offers a vivid glimpse of life in London as the city endured relentless bombing during World War II. As a companion to Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air, the Blitz movie complements other WWII productions by focusing on the terror of 1940, showing London under siege.
The Steve McQueen Blitz movie centers on the story of a mother, Rita Hanway (Saoirse Ronan), and her son George (newcomer Elliott Hefferman). Though Rita plans for George to be evacuated to safety, he rebels and sneaks off the train, determined to stay with his mother and grandfather, Gerald (Paul Weller). When Rita learns of his escape, she sets out from the munitions factory to find him, highlighting the film’s focus on ordinary Londoners and the lengths they went to during the war.
To recreate the atmosphere of war-torn London, McQueen and production designer Adam Stockhausen worked meticulously. The Blitz movie showcases events such as the Café de Paris bombing, which killed musician Ken “Snakehips” Johnson (portrayed by Devon McKenzie-Smith). Budget constraints kept them from shooting in London, but locations like Hull Paragon Station in East Yorkshire stand in for Paddington Station, creating an authentic look despite being filmed outside London.
What sets Blitz apart is McQueen’s choice not to focus on explosions. Instead, the Steve McQueen Blitz movie conveys the devastation through quiet scenes filled with smoke and dread, allowing viewers to experience the war’s impact without overstated visuals. One striking scene shows George running from London Bridge to a shelter, with a real explosion erupting behind him instead of CGI.
Hans Zimmer’s score amplifies the sense of terror in the Blitz movie. Drawing from his family’s history his mother was evacuated to London during the Holocaust Zimmer creates music that reflects the fear of children during wartime. Original songs like “Winter Coat,” created by Nicholas Britell and Taura Stinson, add emotional depth, with “Winter Coat” generating early Oscar buzz.
The Steve McQueen Blitz movie offers a unique perspective on WWII, focusing less on the battles and more on human resilience. It stands alongside other Spielberg, Hanks, and Goetzman productions, bringing a deeply personal touch to WWII stories.
Director/Screenwriter: Steve McQueen
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Elliott Hefferman, Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham, and others.