WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

In the mid-80's David Bowie was quite busy in the movie industry, in most cases as a performer of a theme song, but also appearing as an actor in some films, such as the fantasy adventure Labyrinth. When the Wind Blows (1986) is an animated disaster film based on Raymond Brigg's graphic novel, accounting a rural English couple's attempt to survive a nearby nuclear attack. Originally Bowie was to contribute more to the soundtrack but he chose to focus on his upcoming album Never Let Me Down, and Roger Waters was brought in to complete the project instead. The soundtrack album also features contributions from other artists, for example the instrumental Invisible Touch album track 'The Brazilian' by Genesis. The title song was composed by Erdal Kızılçay and the lyrics were written by Bowie.

It is an emotionally strong song full of pathos, and especially the slight increase in tempo in the halfway is effective. What I don't like very much is the hard-edged, eighties-styled production. Just like the single for The Falcon and the Snowman theme song 'This Is Not America', the B side contains an instrumental version. In the case of 'When the Wind Blows', the instrumental version works quite nicely on its own, as a mellower orchestral piece. On the other hand it's also more harmless slice of sentimental movie music.

Being fond of Raymond Briggs' works (e.g. The Snowman) I wish to see the film some day.