Steve McQueen’s new film is a moving tale of a wartime childhood. Is Blitz based on a true story or only inspired by the London bombing?
Blitz is a 2024 war drama directed by Steve McQueen, known for films such as Captive and Shame. The film premiered on 1 November 2024 and is available on Apple TV+ from 22 November 2024. The plot centers on the life of nine-year-old George. His mother, Rita, evacuates him from London to the countryside during World War II. Determined to return home, George embarks on a perilous journey while a distraught Rita tries to find him.
Denotative analysis
The film poster shows the figures of a woman, presumably Rita, and a boy, George. They are set against a composition of flowers that seem to surround their figures. The flowers give the impression of fragmentation, resembling an explosion or disintegrating elements. At the bottom of the poster is a younger boy, standing alone with a suitcase, suggesting his readiness to travel. The central title ‘Blitz’ catches the eye with its simplicity.
Connotative analysis. In search of answer: is Blitz based on a true story?
The flowers on the poster are an important symbolic element. They resemble daisies – delicate white flowers that can symbolise both the innocence and transience of life. Their presence contrasts with the wartime context and the brutality of the events depicted, suggesting the fragility of childhood and purity that is juxtaposed with the destruction of war. The flowers also serve as an unusual symbol of rupture, appearing scattered as if to represent something lost or destroyed. The image of the boy below, with his suitcase, evokes sympathy and emphasises the theme of forced departure and the loneliness of children evacuated during the air raids on London.
The film Blitz draws inspiration from the real-life events of the German bombing of London between 1940 and 1941. This period is commonly known as the ‘Blitz. Although the characters and their stories are fictional, the historical background is based on authentic events. The depicted experiences of Londoners during the raids reflect the realities of that time. Director Steve McQueen has sought to capture the atmosphere and reality of life during the war.
Commutation test
Replacing the flowers with elements like shards of glass or fragments of rubble changes the perception of the poster. This alteration adds brutality and emphasizes physical destruction. The flowers soften the message by introducing an element of melancholy and suggesting an emotional aspect of loss instead of focusing solely on physical destruction. Changing the background to a less dramatic setting would have diluted the sense of danger and intensity that the characters faced. The presence of flowers is central to the symbolism of the poster, emphasising the fragility of human life in the face of war.
Is Blitz based on a true story? Myth analysis
The poster, therefore, refers to the myth of children’s innocence and resilience in the face of war. Moreover, the flowers surrounding the characters build the myth of the contrast between the brutality of war and the purity and innocence that childhood represents. This highlights the idea that even in the worst of times, human values and beauty can survive. Additionally, the image of a lonely boy with a suitcase at the bottom of the poster evokes the myth of heroism and determination of young people forced to grow up in difficult circumstances. Ultimately, the poster reinforces the belief in the strength of spirit and hope that remains even in the face of wartime devastation.
In Greek mythology, the motif of an innocent child caught up in conflict appears in the story of Astyanax, son of Hector and Andromache. As Hector’s only child, Astyanax symbolised the hope for the rebirth of Troy and the inheritance of the royal lineage. After the fall of Troy, however, the Greeks recognised that even a child could pose a threat to their rule. On the orders of Odysseus or Neoptolem, Astyanax was thrown off the city walls to prevent future revenge. This story highlights the brutality of war, which destroys not only enemies but also their innocent offspring, showing how merciless the consequences of conflict can be.