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The Review Geek
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Britain and the Blitz (2025) Netflix Movie Review
Keep Calm and Carry On There have been a lot of documentaries about World War II over the years, and perhaps one topic that's been covered more than most — especially over here in the United Kingdom — is The Blitz. From popular movies like Atonement to revisionist efforts like Blitz, the subject has been explored extensively in the entertainment world. Over on the documentary side, it's hard to top The World at War from 1973, which still stands as one of the best and most definitive wartime documentaries of all time. Honestly, if you haven't watched it, it's a must-watch. With such a well-worn topic, Netflix has slowly been dipping their toes into this wartime space too, with recent efforts like Churchill at War and Greatest Events of WWII in Colour showing the studio's efforts to broadcast more of what happened during the War. Britain and the Blitz, then, feels much more cinematic than it does informative — essentially presenting a romanticised version of The Blitz, sporting archival footage intercut with first-hand accounts from men and women trying to survive the horrors of WWII. The fabled 'Blitz spirit' is shown front and centre here, with plenty of reflections about people living like every day could be their last, while others just 'kept calm and carried on.' There are no overt narrators or big-picture analysts to provide a broader historical context though, beyond a few quotes from Churchill and Hitler, and that does make this feel somewhat narrow and small in scope. A direct contrast to that aforementioned cinematic appeal that the documentary is going for. Across the documentary, we follow Edith Heap, an Intelligence plotter based at RAF Debden; Richard, a firefighter; Joan — who details a romantic affair with her neighbour Rupert; Eric Brady, a London evacuee, and his sister Kitty; and Marie Price, a Liverpudlian local. A few others pop up throughout, but it's largely these voices that stitch the narrative together. While the documentary does showcase some fascinating slices of life — like the class divide between north and south when Eric moves to Coventry and clashes with the local kids — it also feels like a missed opportunity not to give more historical context or explore these stories through a wider lens. For example, the evacuation effort initially included plans to send children to Canada, America, and New Zealand, until one of the ships was destroyed, killing 260 people in the process. That kind of background could have added a deeper emotional layer to Eric's storyline, but it's completely overlooked. There's also a slightly odd inclusion around the Communist Party, who are briefly shown as the plucky underdogs trying to undermine the government. Yet the film never acknowledges that they only supported the war after Russia was invaded, which feels like an important omission if you're trying to be historically accurate. Visually, the documentary is well-edited for the most part, with archival footage and photographs effectively used — but it's constantly undermined by the musical score. I'm not sure whose idea it was to add a pulsating, overly dramatic soundtrack like we're in a Hollywood action flick, but it really doesn't work. Moments that should land quietly are drowned out by soaring orchestral swells or over-the-top sequences that make you feel like Tom Cruise is going to rush on screen. At one point, when we're told St. Paul's Cathedral avoided being bombed, a choral score kicks in on cue, clearly designed to heighten the moment emotionally — but it just feels forced. Once you notice moments like this, it's hard to unsee. Sometimes less really is more. That's perhaps the best summary I can give of Britain and the Blitz overall. There are some interesting anecdotes, and the first-hand accounts do help ground the documentary emotionally. But the narrow focus, stylistic overreach, and lack of broader historical insight all hold this back from being truly memorable. It's not an outright bad documentary — but compared to so many others on this subject, it sadly slips into forgettable mediocrity.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Bombs, buckets and victory: Ruby Bales looks back on her life as she celebrates 100th birthday
Ruby Bales has been witness to some of history's defining moments. As she turned 100 on Thursday, Mrs Bales looked back on some of those events. Like her time as a fire officer in London during Britain's World War II struggle against German incendiary bombs. And joining crowds outside Buckingham Palace to celebrate VE Day — victory in Europe day, which marked the German surrender. And her time working at celebrated London florists, Longmans, which gave her an insight into the operation of the business which went on to prepare the future Queen Elizabeth's wedding and coronation bouquets. Mrs Bales was born in East Ham, London, on May 1, 1925. While still at school, she joined the war effort, aged 16. 'I was given a tin hat and an arm band,' she said. She was part of a team of three, equipped with a stirrup pump and a water bucket. 'I carried the buckets of water,' she said. They went into action during The Blitz, German aerial bombing attacks on British cities in 1940 and 1941. Her house was damaged when a landmine attached to a parachute dropped on the next block. 'We didn't have a roof for years, we had tarpaulins,' Mrs Bales said. 'We didn't have windows for years.' At the age of 17 she worked as a book-keeper at Longmans, before training as a comptometrist — using an early mechanical calculator — and then worked at International Harvester, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery. In 1943 she met Les Bales from Perth. In January 1945 they married, and were among the crowds celebrating VE Day outside the palace on May 8, 1945. 'There were crowds, they were climbing everything,' she said. 'Everyone was cheering, everything was pandemonium.' In 1946 Mrs and Mrs Bales and baby Keith, (Colin and Glenys would be born in later years) set sail for Perth, and their new life. Back in London the city celebrated again in 1947 when Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey. And Mrs Bales is well aware of the mystery around the day — what became of Queen Elizabeth's wedding bouquet, which had been made by Longmans. Some photos of the day show the Queen standing without the bouquet even though the bridesmaids carry theirs. In 2019 The Daily Express reported that because the bouquet — made by Martin Longman — went missing, the royal couple had to interrupt their honeymoon to pose for pictures with the Queen holding a replacement bouquet also made by Mr Longman. And so from then on all royal brides had two bouquets made, the paper said. Adding further intrigue, the Royal Family's site says that on the day after the wedding the bouquet was sent back to the abbey, where it was laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. On her drive to Westminster Abbey for her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth carried another bouquet made up by Martin Longman.
India Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
8 new Netflix documentaries to watch in may 2025
8 new Netflix documentaries to watch in may 2025 Apr 30, 2025 Netflix's documentaries line-up for May is excitingly diverse. From sports and true crime to history and mystery, here's a quick look at what's coming this month. Credit: Netflix Maria Angeles Molina or Angi was sentenced for murder and identity theft, but new details about her past and her husband's death come to light in this gripping true crime story. Angi: Fake Life, True Crime – May 1 This historical documentary brings World War II to life with restored archival footage and powerful personal accounts from the Blitz era in Britain. Britain and The Blitz – May 5 A mysterious 911 call and a brutal crime scene unravel the complex and tragic story of Jason Corbett's death, told through the eyes of his family. A Deadly American Marriage – May 9 Featuring rare footage and CIA interviews, this documentary traces the intense global mission to capture Osama bin Laden after 9/11. American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden – May 14 Inmates at a Missouri prison create handmade quilts for foster children, revealing unexpected stories of hope and creativity behind bars. The Quilters – May 16 This documentary examines the rise and fall of NFL star Brett Favre, highlighting the scandals and controversies that surrounded his career. Untold: The Fall of Favre - May 20 Scientists and historians investigate some of the world's most baffling phenomena, exploring mysteries that challenge logic and science. The UnXplained – May 21 This documentary follows fifteen talented female drivers as they compete in the F1 Academy, offering a close look at their journey on and off the track. F1: The Academy – May 28
