During the Second World War, in the face of incessant bombing during the Blitz, the British authorities decided to evacuate about a million children from the big cities. These mass evacuations were intended to protect the younger ones by sending them to the English countryside.
Blitz, Steve McQueen’s new film, highlights this reality through the fictional character of George, a child who refuses this imposed exile and tries to find his mother in London.
If George (Elliot Heffernan) is the director’s invention, his journey is directly inspired by real stories. Steve McQueen was deeply affected by a vintage photograph showing a young boy alone on a station platform, carrying a large suitcase. This image, held at the Imperial War Museum, captures the emotional tears experienced by thousands of children torn from their homes.
Often improvised exile
Evacuations, although necessary, were often disorganized. Children were given to foster families without serious verification. According to film consultant and author Joshua Levine The Secret History of the Blitz which entrusts the journal timeThis placement was a mixed experience.
Some families provided loving shelter, while others neglected or even abused the children in their homes. “It was a real mix. Some children found unexpected happiness, others experienced trials“, he explains.
Levin shares harrowing stories, such as one of a boy who ran away from foster care to live with his grandmother, fearing his parents would send him back. In Blitz, George embodies this childlike tenacity, refusing to submit to his fate and seeking to find the people he loves at all costs.
Tribute to Sons of Blitz
The Blitz doesn’t just show the devastation of bombing: it highlights the moral dilemmas and sacrifices of families. Rita (Saoirse Ronan), George’s mother, portrays many mothers who are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to protect their children by taking them away from them.
Through this fiction set in historical reality, Steve McQueen gives voice to Blitz evacuee children, often forgotten symbols of courage. His film thus offers a moving immersion into a period that still resonates greatly in our time.
Blitz is currently available on Apple TV+ and MyCanal.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
