Steve McQueen’s 2024 film Blitz (Apple+) draws heavily from historical events and personal stories during the London Blitz of World War II, presenting a unique and inclusive perspective on the experience of ordinary citizens under relentless bombing. The film highlights previously overlooked stories, particularly those of people of colour and immigrant communities in wartime London.
Below are some of the real life characters and events that inspired the movie.
SPOILER ALERT This article contains spoilers.
The Real-Life Inspiration for George
The character of George in Blitz was inspired by director Steve McQueen’s research for his earlier project Small Axe, where he came across an image of a Black boy at a railway station, ready to be evacuated during World War II. McQueen was deeply moved by the image and felt a protective instinct toward the child. This became the starting point for the story of George, a biracial boy with a white mother and Black father, navigating the challenges of the Blitz and broader societal issues of identity and belonging.
McQueen wanted George’s story in the Apple film to embody themes of self-determination and agency, challenging the typical narrative arcs imposed on Black characters. George’s journey is marked by his refusal to follow a preordained path, exemplified by his daring decision to jump off a train and take his fate into his own hands. The director viewed this act as a powerful statement of autonomy and resilience, reflecting broader questions about identity and resistance in the face of adversity
Ita Ekpenyon: The Real-life Inspiration for Air Warden Ife
The air warden Ife who helps George in the film was inspired by Ita Ekpenyon (1899–1951) a Nigerian who made significant contributions to London’s wartime efforts during World War II. Originally a headmaster in Nigeria, Ekpenyon came to the UK in 1928 to study law. When war broke out in 1939, he was too old to enlist in the military and instead volunteered as an Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Warden, becoming the only known Black warden in St Marylebone.
In his role, Ekpenyon was responsible for enforcing blackout rules, managing public air raid shelters, and assisting civilians during bombings, all while dealing with the persistent bombing of the area during the Blitz. He wrote candidly about his experiences, which included encountering both racism and admiration. Some Londoners believed his presence brought good luck, but he also faced discrimination, such as when he intervened to ensure foreign nationals were allowed into a shelter.
Ekpenyon also became a voice for the war effort on the BBC. He narrated Calling West Africa, a radio series that underscored the British Empire’s unified fight against fascism. After the war, financial difficulties forced him to abandon his law studies, and he worked as a postman to support his family.
Ekpenyon’s life highlights the significant yet underrepresented contributions of Black individuals to Britain’s war effort, as well as the complexities of their experience in wartime society
This inclusion underscores McQueen’s intent to challenge the traditional, whitewashed narratives of wartime Britain and reveal the cosmopolitan nature of London during that era .
The real Mickey Davies
The film also features Mickey Davies, a little person who manages an air raid shelter.
In real-life Mickey Davies, also known as “Mickey the Midget,” was an extraordinary figure who played a pivotal role during the Blitz in London. At just 4 feet 6 inches tall, Davies was an optician whose business was destroyed during the bombings. He became a key organizer at the Spitalfields Fruit & Wool Exchange air raid shelter, where he took charge of improving living conditions for the 2,500 people who sheltered there nightly.
Davies was known for his relentless drive to improve sanitation, health services, and overall safety in the shelter. He set up a first-aid station, implemented hygiene practices, and raised funds to create a dispensary and a canteen. He even persuaded private donors and businesses, such as Marks & Spencer, to contribute resources, including free milk for children. His efforts were considered a precursor to the welfare state established in post-war Britain.
Despite initial resistance from authorities, his leadership was recognized by the local shelter committee, which voted him in as an official Shelter Marshal. His work left a lasting legacy as a symbol of resilience and communal effort during one of London’s darkest times
Did a Tube Station Really Get Flooded During the Blitz?
One of the most dramatic scenes in the film Blitz is when a tube station is bombed and becomes flooded, causing panic among the hundreds of people who are sheltering there.
This scene was inspired by The Balham Tube Disaster which occurred on October 14, 1940.
Around 500 people were sheltering in the Balham Underground station when a 1,400-kilogram bomb dropped by German aircraft created a massive crater on Balham High Road. The impact fractured a water main, which caused water, mud, and sewage to flood into the station’s tunnels. Tragically, 66 people lost their lives, and more than 70 others were injured.
The disaster highlighted both the vulnerabilities of wartime infrastructure and the intense strain on London’s emergency services during the relentless bombings. Despite its devastation, the Balham tube tragedy has often been overshadowed by other wartime stories, making its inclusion in Blitz all the more poignant .
With its blend of historical accuracy and untold perspectives, Blitz offers a moving tribute to the resilience of Londoners in one of their darkest hours, ensuring stories like the Balham tube flooding are not forgotten.
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