I don’t think it’s unfair to say that, sometimes, you might consider that war-related films may have become a ‘go to’ in terms of trying to hit a specific critical and audience response, and I don’t think that’s unfair to comment – but don’t get me wrong, I’ve always had a personal admiration (and distant family connection) to both World Wars, as so many in Europe and beyond.

When it comes to filmmakers and creators like Steve McQueen, I’m completely in awe of his talents through the likes of Hunger, Shame, 12 Years A Slave the remarkable Small Axe series including Mangrove – and I think we’re about to hit his most commercial, accessible work if this first trailer for Blitz is anything to go by.

The scale and visuals are enormous, it’s got a family-centric story at the middle and while this particular cut of the trailer feels very Christopher Nolan, I feel like McQueen’s film will be far more cohesive from start to finish, and I love both filmmakers.

McQueen’s Blitz follows the journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mum and grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril, while a distraught Rita searches for her missing son.

Have a watch below, on a big screen if you can!

Written and directed by Academy and BAFTA Award-winning McQueen, the film also stars Harris Dickinson, Benjamin Clementine, Kathy Burke, Stephen Graham, Leigh Gill, Mica Ricketts, CJ Beckford, Alex Jennings, Joshua McGuire, Hayley Squires, Erin Kellyman, and Sally Messham.

Blitz comes to cinemas on 1 November, with it hitting Apple TV+ from 22 November