When the Wind Blows

An aging, hopeful husband who anchors the couple’s stubborn optimism. He clings to routines, believes help will come, and tries to interpret events through a wartime lens. His pragmatism often collides with Hilda’s deteriorating health and growing despair.

Ailing and increasingly worn down by radiation sickness, she embodies the fragility of ordinary life under catastrophic threat. Her fear and pain intensify the couple’s emotional strain and highlight the human cost of isolation. Her decline tests Jim’s resolve and hope.

The radio announcer provides the ongoing stream of news that frames the crisis and drives the couple’s perception of the threat. Their broadcasts create a sense of immediacy and creeping uncertainty. The character underscores how media shapes public response in a crisis.

A historical figure presented through archival footage to emphasize the external, geopolitical dimension of the threat. His presence serves as a reminder of the Soviet leadership and the forces behind the potential conflict. He functions as a symbol of overarching power rather than a personal character.

Another archival figure representing Allied leadership and past wartime resolve. His presence contrasts with the current crisis, underscoring the weight of decisions and the memory of previous victories. He acts as a historical touchstone rather than a living character.

Archivally depicted American leadership, reminding the audience of the Western bloc’s response to global threats. His inclusion frames the fight against nuclear catastrophe as a shared geopolitical responsibility. Again, he functions as a symbol of policy and power.

An actor in the film’s production who contributes to the voice and presence of side characters. Their role illustrates how narrative voices and performances shape the film’s tone and pacing, though the character is not central to the plot.

Another performer providing a voice or presence within the production. The role highlights the collaborative nature of the film, offering texture to the soundscape and background scenes.

Cast member contributing to the film’s broader ensemble. The part underscores how multiple performances support the central narrative of the two main characters.

The primary character through whose perspective the story unfolds. His voice and decisions drive the pacing and reveal the tension between hope and grim realism.

The other half of the central duo, whose condition and thoughts provide emotional weight and a counterpoint to Jim’s optimism. Her reactions reveal the human impact of the crisis.

A historic military commander featured through archival footage to emphasize strategic concerns and the memory of wartime leadership. His appearance reinforces the film’s meditation on leadership under duress.