World War II Drama Blitz Is Steve McQueen’s Most Tender Film Yet
Americans have various methods for understanding the Blitz, and one popular approach is through films. A notable example is John Boorman’s 1987 movie Hope and Glory, which offers a vivid portrayal of Boorman’s personal experiences during London’s eight-month ordeal from 1940 to 1941, when the city was repeatedly bombarded by the Luftwaffe. Steve McQueen’s Blitz, another film, could be considered a complementary piece to Boorman’s work. It tells the story of a young Black boy, George (portrayed by Elliott Heffernan), who is the 9-year-old son of a single white mother, Saoirse Ronan’s Rita. Like Boorman’s hero, George navigates danger in a city under attack. However, McQueen’s film highlights the unique challenges faced by a Black child during wartime London, even as it emphasizes that not even being white could guarantee safety. Blitz explores how resilience can grow from vulnerability, underscoring that no child asks to be a victim of war; sometimes, simply surviving with your spirit intact is the best possible outcome.
