Saoirse Ronan Leads World War II Drama Blitz
Saoirse Ronan’s latest film, The Outrun), has only just released in cinemas, but the actress already has a new project hitting our screens just a few weeks after that. Blitz, directed by the Oscar-winning Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave), is a World War II drama set in London during the months-long German bombing campaign. She plays a mother trying to keep safe her son safe from the destruction- but is distraught when he runs off by himself.
What is Blitz about?
The period piece takes us to the days of London during the Blitz, when civilians had to make do with whatever shelters they could find, including the London Underground, to escape German bombs. One family caught up in this consists of Rita (Ronan), her son George (Elliot Heffernan) and Rita’s father Gerald (Paul Waller). Rita understandably becomes fearful for George’s safety amidst the chaos of the Blitz and constant air raids, and so decides, like many other parents to evacuate him by sending him to the countryside, on the advice of Gerald.
However, George is fed up with his situation, tired of the other evacuee children on his train, and would rather be back home- so he jumps off partway through the journey back to London. The way back of course is a dangerous trip to make for a child, but on his way, George meets a wide range of characters who are each affected by the air raids and the war. Rita remains in London working at a factory- until she hears her son has disappeared. Now dealing with her job, helping her community during the bombing raids and the fear of losing the most important thing to the world to her, she strives to reunite with George and survive the ordeal.
Who else stars, and what else do we know?
McQueen’s ambitious World War II drama also stars Kathy Burke (The Sea Beast), Harris Dickinson (Where The Crawdads Sing), Stephen Graham (Boiling Point), Benjamin Clementine (Dune), Erin Kellyman (Willow) and Alex Jennings (The Lady in the Van). The film debuted at the BFI London Film Festival to positive reviews from critics, with praise for Saoirse Ronan’s performance and Steve McQueen’s direction.
Blitz is set to arrive in cinemas on 1st November and Apple TV+ on 22nd November.
