With age, one often gains wisdom, along with a collection of memories encapsulated in photographs and diaries that have been stored away and seldom revisited.
In 1987, within the confines of a charming English residence, Grete Winton proposed to her retired stockbroker husband, Nicholas, aged 78, that it might be time to declutter his home office, which was overflowing with miscellaneous items.
Despite their strong marital bond and Nicholas’s enjoyment of tending to the garden, particularly his beloved in-ground swimming pool that he believed contributed to his vitality, both agreed that the clutter of scrapbooks, photos, newspaper clippings, and old documents needed sorting through.
Unbeknownst to many, this material held far more significance for Mr. Winton than mere sentimental value. Back in 1939, amidst the turmoil in Czechoslovakia, also referred to as Bohemia and Moravia, Nicholas Winton embarked on a remarkable mission of compassion. Mirroring the efforts in Germany and Austria, he dedicated himself to rescuing predominantly Jewish orphaned children.
His method involved arranging for these children to journey through western Europe by train, cross the English Channel via boats, and eventually find refuge with families in Britain. For many of these children with limited familial ties, the separation was likely permanent.
The backdrop to Winton’s humanitarian efforts was the devastating Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) orchestrated by the Nazi regime in November 1938. This atrocity prompted the British government to relax immigration restrictions for specific Jewish refugees, allowing unaccompanied minors below the age of 17 to seek shelter in Great Britain from Germany, the Czech lands, and Austria.
Various refugee aid committees, such as the Movement For The Care Of Children From Germany and the British Committee For The Jews Of Germany, played a pivotal role in facilitating this rescue operation. Private individuals and organizations pledged to support the children financially, ensuring their well-being, education, and eventual repatriation once the crisis subsided.
Amidst the looming threat of World War II, Winton orchestrated the rescue of 669 children until the Nazis sealed the Czechoslovakian border. Collaborating tirelessly with Czech citizens, he orchestrated daring missions to save these young lives.
In the cinematic portrayal of these events in “One Life,” directed by James Hawes, Anthony Hopkins masterfully embodies the older Winton, while Johnny Flynn portrays Nicholas during the critical period of 1939. The film captures the essence of Winton’s quiet heroism and the urgency of his actions amidst impending danger.
As the narrative unfolds, the tension escalates, culminating in the interception of Winton’s final trainload of children by the Nazis in 1939. The poignant moments that follow underscore the heartbreaking reality faced by the innocents aboard the train.
Against the backdrop of Europe descending into chaos, “One Life” skillfully weaves together visual splendor and historical accuracy. The stellar performances of Hopkins, Flynn, and the supporting cast, including Lena Olin and Helena Bonham Carter, breathe life into this poignant narrative based on Barbara Winton’s book, “If It’s Not Impossible… The Life Of Sir Nicholas Winton.”
As the film reaches its conclusion, depicting a pivotal event in Nicholas’s life with cinematic poise, the audience is left profoundly moved by the unfolding events. The closing moments, shrouded in emotional intensity, serve as a fitting tribute to Winton’s enduring legacy.