Every adult should see One Life (2024)!  It is about Sir Nicholas Winton and a group of people who helped save 669 children whose (mostly) Jewish families were fleeing the Nazis between 1938 to 1939.  Sir. Winton was a humanitarian his entire life. He was knighted by the Queen in 2003 and passed away in 2015, at the age of 106.  Sir Anthony Hopkins portrays the British investment banker and humanitarian.

♦  Heads up:  For folks who like chronological films, this is not one of them. About half the film is flashbacks to the late 1930’s.  Some of the flashbacks are upsetting to watch, particularly, some of the scenes with the children. While there is very little physical violence, the scenes with the Nazis are hard to watch because of the implied violence. The film’s MPAA rating is PG-13 but subject matter might be too disturbing for teens. ♦

This film is a moving tribute. It is well-made with wonderful acting. I hope people see it because (a) it is a poignant reminder of the Holocaust and (b) Sir Nicholas Winton’s powerful humanitarian worldview may resonate with them.

I expected to be emotional watching this biopic but the experience was even more profound because the scenes of refugee camps in 1930’s Prague triggered thoughts of present day refugees in Gaza and elsewhere in the world.

I recommend this biopic over the two documentaries about Sir Winton [The Power of Good and Nicky’s Family.]  All three films are good but I believe this biopic is the most authentic because it is based on a biography written by Barbara Winton *, his daughter.  Moreover, his son said Mr Hopkins’ performance “sent a shiver up my back …There were times when I thought I was in the same room as Pa.”   (source:  Nick Winton’s interview)  

For me, a compelling takeaway from the two documentaries was that the Winton family was not aware of his rescue efforts until his scrapbook was found in the 1980s.  When asked why he kept it a secret, Winton replied, “I didn’t keep it a secret, I just didn’t talk about it.”  While I was disappointed this was omitted in this biopic, I was still impressed with how the screenplay, coupled with Hopkins’ portrayal, captured Sir Winton’s humility. 

Two BBC interviews that I enjoyed reading, after I watched the film, were with Sir Anthony Hopkins  (Sir Anthony Hopkins interview)  and Lord Alfred Dubs. Lord Dubs, now 91, is one of the children Mr. Winton and his friends saved.  (Lord Dubs’ interview)