User reviews

I've been on a bit of a spree of Jewish themed films of late, trying to inject a bit of hope in between the inevitable darkness. Going from Shoah to Yentl and The Zone of Interest to One Life, which I think will likely bridge the horror with some lasting positivity... hopefully. I say this, as like many, I'm aware of Nicolas Winton from his appearance on That's Life! A stunning piece of television that will stick with anyone who remembers it being broadcast. I was very young though and I'm sure there's more to the story than I recall. Winton was a man who saw what the Nazis were up to, whilst many were covering their eyes and was moved to do something. That something was the Kindertransport or more accurately an extension of it. One Life is based on his true story and it doesn't shy on the details. We first meet an older Nicolas (Anthony Hopkins), doddering perhaps, slowing down a little but still motivated to help. Haunted by his past. You don't unsee the things he's seen. As he stares into a darkened window, we drift back to the 30s, where he's played by Johnny Flynn, trying to convince his mother (Helena Bonham Carter) that it's a good idea for him to travel to Czechoslovakia to help the refugees from the advancing Nazis. Flynn not only portrays Winton magnificently, he also feels perfectly in step with Hopkins. He's a bit of a chameleon. Nicolas though isn't on the surface. He's a well to do stockbroker. A desk man. Head in paperwork type. The harsh Prague winter is not what he was prepared for, but he learns quickly that without help, these displaced people have been forgotten by the system. The British government is not helping Czechoslovakians. When Nicolas is quizzed as to his motives, what skin he has in the game. His response is gripping. Heartfelt, unwavering, determined and spine tingling. The scenes of people saying goodbye at train stations, children with numbers on cardboard around their necks are intercut with the bureaucracy that Nicolas, friends and his mother navigate with steely determination as a score of thick string and piano laden melancholy fills the score. It's this drive/melancholy that defines Nicolas. The drive is his nature, the melancholy what he's left with when there's time think. It's this time that dictates older Nicolas's life. He realises there's sadly still a lesson to be learnt. This timeline isn't perhaps as fraught and terrifying, but it's what lead to that TV moment, this film and Anthony Hopkins reducing me to tears. The pace is kept up by jumping between Hopkins and Flynn in the eras of his life, where although some things have changed, the focus hasn't. It's not an easy watch, amazing as it is what they're doing, as Babi Winton (Bonham Carter) says "Nicky, you must know you can't save them all". What a world we live in. Where this happened and still the danger persists. Thank god for people like Nicolas Winton. A magnificent story brought about by the evil that people are capable of.

Turn on the news and what do you see? Man's inhumanity to man. Ukraine, Gaza etc etc. It's enough to make you lose faith in the human race - or it would be were it not for the occasional story of humanity at its best.

In Czechoslovakia in 1938-9, a small group of people (Nicholas Winton is the best known as he was the last survivor of that group) are appalled by the plight of mainly Jewish refugees, and resolve to do something. Despite opposition from governments (German, Dutch, British and American) they manage to evacuate 669 children and provide them with foster families in the UK, where many of their descendants live to this day. A further 250 children were on a train that was scheduled to leave on the day war was declared. Two of them were still alive at the war's end.

Then the story was forgotten for more than forty years, until at last Nicholas Winton was given the recognition he deserved (not the least astonishing part of the story is that Robert Maxwell did one decent thing in his life).

The film is in two parts; the younger Winton being played by Johnny Flynn, the older by Anthony Hopkins. Both give stand-out performances. Also excellent is Helena Bonham Carter as Winton's mother. The scene where she tells a bureaucrat what she thinks of him is priceless.

But the most important aspect of the film is its message. Human kindness is still a force in the world. Everyone can make a difference. No good deed, be it great or small, is ever wasted.

If only governments were run by people like Nicholas Winton.

I rarely concern myself with the opinions of others, especially professional critics, but some of the negative reviews I've read about this are churlish to say the least. I think one of the big positives of this film is that it just tells the story. Most of us in UK probably know the story of Sir Nicholas Winton and how he organised the transport of 669 Czech Jewish children to relative safety in the UK in the face of the Nazi onslaught in the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia. Despite what some suggest, it clearly shows that this is a team effort led by Winton's persistence and determination; it does not make him out to be the sole hero. However, as important as the evacuations is the story about how it came into the British consciousness via the quirky 1970s BBC TV show, 'That's Life.' It truly is something that needed to be told, then and now, and is done so in a suitably serious nut heartwarming manner. Do go and see it and do be prepared for the final scenes.

This is truly an exceptional piece of work. Having seen the trailer it could've easily been made to look and feel quite tacky but I was genuinely surprised and extremely impressed by what has been accomplished. Every step of the production was presented exactly as you would want from a time period piece and I don't recall seeing any cgi at all and certainly none which could've potentially shattered the illusion. The commitment of the actors, both past and present versions were magnificent and made you completely believe their situations. The story is an exceptional one and I'm glad that it has been told in exactly the way it was & it absolutely destroyed me & I don't think there was a dry eye left from anyone in the cinema screening that I watched it in. Anything which gives me the immediate emotional reaction that this did means that it deserves a full 5 stars.

The true story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who was responsible for evacuating over 600 children from Czechoslovakia, which was on the verge of Nazi invasion.

This is a truly outstanding film, one of the best I've seen in a while, for my shame I had no idea if Nicholas Winton's story until this film, it promoted me to dig deeper, what a fascinating, brave man.

Beautifully produced, and not just the visuals, of course it looked amazing, but the tone and feel of the movie was perfect. At times I honestly felt like I was watching something by Stephen Poliakoff, someone who truly does know how to move the viewers.

BBC films, proof that The BBC still has the ability to deliver incredible quality, when it focuses on actual storytelling, this was like something made from yesteryear.

Sir Anthony Hopkins delivers yet another masterclass, his scenes at the That's Life studio were incredible, Hopkins was matched by an equally captivating performance from Johnny Flynn, fabulous.

Intensely moving, I saw many tears at the cinema, a very powerful story, a true act of selfless bravery.

Wonderful.

10/10.

Set against the backdrop of the rising Nazi threat in 1938, "One Life" tells the true story of Nicholas Winton, a young British stockbroker who embarks on a daring mission. Driven by a sense of humanity, Winton orchestrates the Kindertransport, rescuing hundreds of Jewish children from Czechoslovakia and bringing them to safety in Britain. The film weaves through time, showcasing the immediate impact of Winton's actions on the rescued children as well as the decades of silence that followed as Winton kept his heroic deeds under wraps. (Bard AI)

One Life is an amazing story that I certainly had never heard about before. It's disappointing that it is told in such a conventional style. The story of Nicholas Winton follows a somewhat predictable trajectory, with occasional tropes we have seen in many wartime dramas. Despite this, Anthony Hopkins, who plays the older Nicholas Winton, and Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Babette Winton, both put in moving, nuanced performances that bring Winton's story alive.

As we know from other wartime stories, the power of individual action in the face of incredible adversity is staggering. The fear and desperation of the child refugees is effectively portrayed, along with heartwarming moments of hope and resilience. In a story like this, the moral ambiguities, the deep resources of courage, and the profound weight of responsibility gave me plenty to think about even after the credits rolled.

There were several things that detracted from the quality of the film. Pacing was a bit of a problem. Some parts of the story felt rushed, and other parts could have done with some tighter editing. The cinematography, while providing an evocative backdrop for the story, never really had the emotional weight needed for this sort of story. Some scenes bordered on being excessively sentimental, which, at times, diminished the authenticity of the movie. Some supporting characters could have done with some deeper development and backstories, and there needed to be a more balanced presentation of the story's two timelines so we could better understand the young and older versions of Winton.

While One Life isn't groundbreaking, it is well made and is a valuable reminder and tribute to an extraordinary man of courage. The strengths outweigh the flaws, making it worthwhile to watch for all ages (except very young children because of the mature themes). And Winton's story makes us question whether heroism is more about big deeds or small acts of bravery. One day, each of us may be called on to be heroic, and One Life provides us with an opportunity to think about how we might choose to act in those situations. Will we have the courage to help out in the small ways that can make a big difference?

"One Life" is a biographical drama film based on the non-fiction book "If It's Not Impossible... The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton" by Barbara Winton. Directed by James Hawes and starring Anthony Hopkins in the lead role, it is a simple human interest story that carries itself as humbly as its lead subject.

In 1938, British stockbroker Nicholas "Nicky" Winton (Anthony Hopkins) visits Czechoslovakia to assist with matters regarding the Jewish population. While there, Nicky works hard to rescue large numbers of children to be transported back to England before the Nazis can have them sent to concentration camps. Throughout the rest of his life, Nicky is encouraged by his family to make his deeds known to the public, but he instead chooses to keep them to himself. In 1988, Nicky's wife discovers a scrapbook in their attic detailing all of the children and their families he helped save, and subsequently sends it to the media. As a result of this, Nicky's heroism receives wider acknowledgment, but is he prepared for all the attention he could garner from this?

Thanks to the efforts of one man in particular, there are over 6,000 people in the world who are alive today because of his actions. That man in question is Nicholas Winton, a stockbroker who risked his life to rescue 669 children from becoming victims of the Holocaust, earning him the nickname "The British Schindler". However, it wasn't until half a century later that Nicholas's humanitarian work was made known to the public, when the media caught wind of his good deeds and reached out to the children and the relatives of those he saved. In the 2023 film "One Life", we are presented with a straightforward, respectful look at Nicholas's life in a way I am sure he would most likely approve.

The film is presented to us in a fairly conventional manner, which is fine as this can be seen as a reflection of Nicholas himself, who was a relatively humble man. When we are first introduced to Nicholas, he is an elderly man in the late 1980s sifting through papers he chooses to keep hidden away from his family. Immediately afterwards, the film flashes back to 1938 where we see a twenty-something Nicholas arriving in Czechoslovakia to undertake work among the local Jewish community. It is here that Nicholas meets some of the Jewish children, with whom he forms a friendly, albeit brief bond with when he shares his chocolate bar with a select few. From here, Nicholas becomes inspired to focus his efforts on helping these children, even if it comes at the risk of attracting attention from the advancing Nazi threat.

James Hawes's direction is effective at conveying Nicholas's emotional state whenever the film needs to showcase it. For instance, in one scene where we see Nicholas browsing through his scrapbook, all of the photographs and descriptions of the children are seen reflected in his glasses. The camera then zooms in on his face to show how much emotion he is filled with as he recollects all of the youths he saved and, rather tragically, the ones he could not. We see how conflicted Nicholas is in his reminiscing, as while it is true he managed to rescue so many children, he cannot escape the guilt of the ones who were far less fortunate. I was pleased to see that the film tackled this angle to Nicholas as a person as it would have been easy to only examine the positive aspects of his deeds while completely disregarding the negative. The fact of the matter is that Nicholas has always had to deal with this emotional burden, and making it public knowledge may not be what he needs to overcome his feelings of self-doubt.

As the lead character, Anthony Hopkins once again proves that he's one of the best actors currently working today as he perfectly depicts the elderly Nicholas throughout all of his emotional states. Most of the time, it isn't through Hopkins's line delivery or his reaction to things, but through his body language that helps his performance leave the most impression. Aside from the aforementioned scene with the scrapbook, I also really liked this one part where Nicholas is sitting quietly in a chair by his pool overcome with the emotion of reminiscing about what he did fifty years earlier. Here, he simply sits there staring off into the distance fighting back tears until his wife arrives to comfort him. In the hands of a lesser actor, this scene may have been forgettable but Hopkins shows his ability to act using his body rather than simply through words during this scene, which gives a moment like this considerably more impact than it should.

However, this is clearly a one man show, and while that does make sense in the long run, it seems like kind of a waste to include all these other notable actors and do very little with them. Helena Bonham Carter plays the young Nicholas's mother, who essentially taught him the selfless value of doing good deeds for the sake of others. Unfortunately, she is only in the film for about five minutes and these are exclusively during the flashback scenes. Similarly, Jonathan Pryce appears as the older version of one of the people whom Nicholas worked with to rescue the children. His screen time is even less than Carter's and didn't really add anything particularly important to the film. Regardless, I still appreciate that all of these actors each wanted to be part of a film that helps preserve the legacy of someone important like Nicholas Winton.

Although the film can hardly be considered groundbreaking from a creative viewpoint, "One Life" still has moments of poignancy that are well worth your time. The subject matter alone warrants at least one viewing, as it is rare to hear about such great deeds being enacted by an uncommonly humble individual. In a world full of fake charitable people who only do nice deeds to stroke their egos, it's refreshing to know that there are people out there like Nicholas Winton who choose to do the right thing out of the kindness of their hearts. The world definitely needs more people like that, and if you can't find someone like that, be someone like that.

I rate it 8/10.

Anthony Hopkins excels in the lead role, showing he's still magnetic well into his 80s and he's ably supported by Johnny Flynn playing him as a younger man and it's good to see Lena Olin again on the screen, playing his wife.

It's a solid drama that will appeal to the same target audience that made The Great Escaper,Operation Mincemeat,Dirty Little Letters etc popular; the older generation- and there's nothing wrong with, at least their going to the movies!

I knew about the Kindertransport but not fully; this film dutifully tells the story and it has the same level of tension that Munich: The Edge of War had ,countries being invaded as a set up to tell humane stories.

The classic TV recreation on' This Life' was well done and moving.

I found there to be little depth to the story. It's a beautiful story of course, and inspiring. The That's Life reveal does bring a tear to your eye, but there's just no detail. Somehow he pulled strings to get visas issued against a wall of red tape, somehow he found hundreds of foster families, somehow raised the money to cover all these costs. These train journeys must have been hard going across many days, the film glosses over all these aspects. I had already seen footage of the That's Life audience moment, but I didn't know the book had been largely a secret until then.

As for the acting, I can only imagine how Anthony Hopkins struggled to reconcile wanting to pay tribute to Nicholas Winton by telling his story, whilst having to work with what felt like a high school script and production.

I guess I'm just miserable, but I found it dull.

Nicholas Winton became widely known in Britain decades ago when the "That's Life !" TV programme revealed his role in organising the Kindertransport trains which saved over 600 Jewish children from almost-certain death in a Czechoslovakia which had been controlled by Nazi Germany since it invaded the Sudentenland in 1938 by bringing them to Britain.

The film alternates between the 1930s and modern times and both Anthony Hopkins (playing the older Winton) and Johnny Flynn (playing the younger Winton) are excellent - as is Helen Bonham Carter playing Winton's mother.

One of the most moving sections is Winton's endless regret for the fact that the 250 children on the ninth - and last - train could not be saved as the train was due to leave Prague station on 1st September 1939 - the day on which Britain declared war on Germany.

A most moving film and I defy anyone who watches it to deny that they have had to brush away tears from time to time.

This film deserves to be as well-regarded as Schindler's List.

Nicholas Winton is an octogenarian who has devoted much of his life to humanitarian efforts. After his wife goes on a holiday, he is left alone with his memories. As a young man in the late 1930's, Winton travelled to Prague, where the desperate situation of the Jewish children there moved him deeply. Determined to help them escape the advancing Nazi's clutches, he devised a plan to transport hundreds to England. Against all odds, Winton and his associates persevere- but will the public ever know of his bravery?

James Hawes' 'One Life' is an uneven drama retelling this fascinating true story. The film is divided into two parallel narratives: one following the older Winton in the 1980's, the other focusing on his younger days in Prague. The former is engaging and full of pathos, thanks to Anthony Hopkins' thoughtful, nuanced performance. He carries the film squarely on his shoulders, subtly showing Winton's vulnerability and inner turmoil. As he recalls his past, the emotional impact is devastating, Hopkins masterfully displaying the torment the man is going through. As he did in 'King Lear' and 'The Father', Hopkins creates a compelling, sympathetic person, that one cannot help but root for.

The flashback sequences, however, are oddly underwhelming, despite the dramatic potential of the historical events. In contrast to the 1980's narrative, Nick Drake and Lucinda Coxon's screenplay eschews subtlety and depth, and their dialogue is often stilted and expository, telling rather than showing the characters' emotions and conflicts. Moreover, the film fails to explore the complex moral dilemmas and psychological effects of Winton's mission. Unlike 'Schindler's List', which depicts the horrors of the Holocaust and the guilt of the survivors in an intelligent and respectful way, Hawes's film glosses over the fate of the children who were not saved and the impact of Winton's mission.

Nor do we learn much about Winton himself. Why was he motivated to save the children? He claims he is but an ordinary man, though we never learn what compelled him to attempt the extraordinary. Winton's life was truly remarkable, and to call him a hero is putting it mildly. However, Hawes is just going through the motions, telling his tale without verve or impact. While the scenes involving Winton in the 1980's are powerful and compelling- due entirely to Hopkins- the film as a whole disappoints.

Furthermore, it suffers from a lack of visual flair and originality. Zac Nicholson's cinematography is bland and conventional, with dull compositions that lack impact. Lucia Zucchetti's editing is erratic and disjointed, failing to create a good pace for proceedings. The flashback sequences are often interrupted by abrupt cuts to the present, disrupting the flow and tension of the story. The film wastes the opportunity to showcase the contrast between Prague and London, using costumes and props that look similar and drab. Additionally, Volker Bertelmann's muted score is ineffective, hindering the dramatic impact of scenes rather than complementing them.

Johnny Flynn is dull and flat as the young Winton, lacking any charisma or courage; though Drake and Coxon's dialogue didn't help matters. Conversely, Helena Bonham Carter is excellent as his mother, though deserving of more screen time and attention. Her role could have provided more insight into Winton's personality and motivation, but the movie neglects to explore their relationship. Romola Garai does strong work as Doreen, convincingly portraying her determination to save the children.

Alex Sharp also impresses as Winton's associate Trevor, adding some much-needed energy. Jonathan Pryce brings a quiet power to his all too brief scene with the elder Winton, creating a poignant moment. The children involved all give emotive, often devastating performances, compounding the drama of the venture; while Lena Olin is terrific as Grete, Winton's wife, sharing a fine chemistry with Hopkins. In addition, Marthe Keller shines as Betty Maxwell, in another short but memorable scene.

In conclusion, despite the potential for a rich dramatic piece about the horrors of war and the bravery of Nicholas Winton, 'One Life' underwhelms. While Anthony Hopkins is subtle and moving as the elder Winton, Johnny Flynn disappoints as the young version of the character, giving a lifeless performance. The cinematography is generic, there is no tension whatsoever and the score is ineffectual, although supporting actors, such as Lena Olin and Romola Garai, impress greatly. At the end of the day, the film is a missed opportunity, not doing justice to Winton's remarkable humanitarian efforts. It might be worth watching once, but certainly not twice in a lifetime.

The story of Nicholas Winton, who saved hundreds of children from the Nazis just before the start of WW2 by organising trains from Czechoslovakia to the UK, is very much a story worth telling, especially as he was essentially a modest hero, one who didn't even think he deserved recognition, which makes his story all the more moving as it unfolds in flashback from late 70s Britain as Winton, superbly portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, remembers the events of the late 1930s.

Of course, there have been so many WW2 dramas over the years, so I felt the pre-war scenes do somewhat lack tension and a certain freshness, but good direction and succinct writing do calmly and absorbingly set the scene, explaining those earlier events well, but we also follow the way that 40 years later the heroic efforts of Winton and his colleagues were finally revealed and celebrated, ultimately making it a truly moving and revealing film. Perhaps, considering how things look today, it's also a reminder of how good really can triumph over evil and cynicism, and it's finally a superb tribute to a remarkable man.

"One Life" weaves the commendable tale of Nicholas Winton's heroism, buoyed by a stellar cast and superb acting, notably from the great master, Anthony Hopkins. Despite these strengths, the film treads familiar territory, echoing narratives seen in numerous historical dramas. Its pacing languishes, rendering the plot somewhat predictable and the story's remarkable essence underlit. While it's a respectful nod to Winton's legacy, the film's conventional approach and lack of narrative depth result in a viewing experience that feels drawn out. A true story of immense courage, "One Life" ultimately delivers a mixed emotional impact, meriting a 6/10 rating for its noble yet well-trodden path.

Walking out of the theater I was conflicted by what I would rate this film. I struggled with how I felt emotionally about this incredible story and how it didn't coincide with how I felt about its delivery.

I was touched most by Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of an older Nicky Winton. His ability to demonstrate the guilt of his character was very powerful. It was saddening to think about how a man could feel so much guilt despite doing so much good in his life. Aside from Anthony Hopkins, the rest of the characters were bland. By no means are the actors at fault. The characters were just very one dimensional. They were all written simply as people who complete a task and nothing more.

Personally, films and stories that deal with the mistreatment of children are always very impactful for me. I expected this film to exploit those emotions with some very dramatic scenes involving children but that was not the case. The scenes involving children were quite mild. The film failed to build any tension that would make one feel that the children were actually in any kind of danger. Despite the fact that we are made aware that German invasion is imminent there is never a sense of urgency. We are told rather than shown this lack of time.

I appreciated the films approach in showing what it took for the rescues to happen. But the impact on the families was made to seem like a subtle affair. The kids would get on the train and arrive in London seemingly happy to move on with their adopted families. The parents would just say goodbye but there weren't any true heartbreaking scenes while this was going on.

I liked that the film jumped back and forth between the events of the past and present day. But besides that, nothing else stood out from this film. There weren't any memorable shots or transitions. The dialogue was straight forward. The music and costumes were just okay.

In the end, there wasn't anything new or fresh about its approach to the telling of a story set during the holocaust.

All One Life has to do to honour its true story is tell it with care and competency and that's exactly what it does. This is a deeply affecting story of selfless people who did everything they could to save as many people as possible whilst others just ignored what was going on.

Anthony Hopkins is on terrific form here. He embodies the selflessness effortlessly and brings a heartbreaking sense of defeat, focusing on what he could've done rather than what he achieved. He's also one of the rare actors who can make you cry by bringing on the waterworks, when he cries you cry.

In the flashbacks Johnny Flynn is an extremely convincing younger version of Hopkins with that same desire to always do more. Helena Bonham Carter gets a loveable role supporting Flynn with a stern determination and refusal to take no for an answer.

James Hawes directs with a level of technical competency that's designed to go unnoticed. The production value is reminiscent of a high end BBC production, which is obviously very fitting and the pacing is really strong. Undoubtedly helped by spending the majority of the time in the flashbacks which are rife with tension.

"I don't know what you're doing, but if you're doing what I think you're doing, I don't want to know." Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai)

So, too, did the US and the rest of the world turn a blind eye to the beginning of the Holocaust in 1939. Nicky Winton (Anthony Hopkins), dubbed The British Schindler, was a stockbroker with Jewish roots who could not ignore the thousands of refugee children fleeing the incursion of Nazi Germany into Prague.

Bases on a true story, One Life celebrates Winton's heroic effortson the eve of WWII to take those children under the Kindersport Project to London by trains that were increasingly fewer as the Nazis commandeered them to rid Europe of Jews. Hopkins' Winton depicts a round-glasses, "ordinary" man as he calls himself, and other selfless saviors of the helpless families.

Yet it took extraordinary ingenuity and dogged determination to convince Brit authorities to issue documents required for each of the thousands of children to have passage from Czechoslovakia to unoccupied territories. The emphasis of this stirring docudrama is, like Zone of Interest, the activity outside the concentration camps, the world of brave bureaucracy that exalts the efforts to keep the vulnerable out of the ovens.

Consequently, the film lacks the horror factor in favor of realistically depicting the panic among unsung heroes themselves in danger of being transported to the camps. Director James Hawes jumps between Hopkins as elderly hero and his younger self, played deftly by Johnny Flynn as an increasingly effective savior of, at final count, 669 children.

The 1988 BBC magazine show, That's Life, featured Winton and his bravery. Acknowledged, among other heroes, was his mother (Helena Bonham Carter), who effectively prodded the authorities in London to recognize the inhumanity in progress. Like that show, One Life prods us to remember the many heroes of WWII. The great number of survivors who attended the show was an indication of the enduring story still to be told about arguably the greatest testimony of man's inhumanity to man-the Holocaust.

"I consider myself a European, an agnostic, and a socialist." Winton gently characterized himself.

Best film I've seen in a while. This one engages you with a compelling story about real heroism demonstrated by people who were risking everything to save children they didn't know.

Refreshing in our era of "What's in it for me?" to understand that people rose to the challenge of living life to its fullest. Satisfying to see how making a difference for innocent children, without any hope of reciprocity, improved so many lives.

"One Life" demonstrates the power of humanity when in pursuit of a higher purpose. This movie, based upon a true story, puts service to others into a useful perspective. The very antithesis of "Hooray for me!" is working hard to provide a future for young people.

"One Life," directed by James Hawes, offers a compelling portrait of Nicholas Winton, whose courageous efforts saved many children from the brink of disaster. Sir Anthony Hopkins delivers a standout performance, embodying Winton's quiet heroism with remarkable depth. The film's structure, featuring two distinct timelines, sometimes feels disjointed, creating a sense of separation between them. While the climactic, emotionally charged moments are powerful, the film occasionally struggles to maintain consistent engagement. Despite its strong tribute to Winton's legacy, "One Life" falls short of being a fully immersive and riveting biopic.

My Review - One Life In Cinemas now My Rating 10/10

Before I begin this review I have to say that it was impossible for me not to be moved by Nicholas Winton story without looking at it through the prism of World events today, in the hope that perhaps there is a Nicholas Winton working in the background to save the innocent children caught up in todays war torn world.

One of the end credits of this fine movie states that Nicholas Winton left his scrapbook to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Israel . My hope is that the politicians in Israel look at this scrapbook and learn its lessons as was Nicholas Winton's wish for his legacy to teach rather than preach.

Already more than 6,600 Palestinian children that's ten times more than the 660 children Nicholas Winton helped rescue have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Gaza and not forgetting the estimated 535 children killed in the conflict in Ukraine .

The movie One Life skilfully directed by James Hawkes is based on the true story of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton .

The role of young Nicholas Winton is played by Johnny Flynn who perfectly compliments his older self played by Anthony Hopkins .

Anthony Hopkins in my opinion is one of the most skilful actors in the business today . Every one of his performances is a masterclass study in understanding empathy and humility rarely does his characterisation seem forced or contrived that can't be said of many actors.

One Life is set in two eras 1938 to 1939 during the beginning of World War 11 when the German Army occupied and invaded Czechoslovakia .

Then nearly 50 years later in 1987 Anthony Hopkins as the elderly Nicholas Winton looks back on his past efforts to help groups of Jewish children in German-occupied Czechoslovakia .

A humble quiet man not seeking notoriety but wanting his experience to be preserved in an effort to perhaps stop the same events occurring again is thrust into the limelight of a television show with an amazing result.

We see how the traumatic events on his arrival in Prague when he first witnesses the plight of Jewish refugees fleeing the cruel Nazi regime prompts him to initiate an escape plan for the children of targeted parents in an effort to avoid their obvious fate if left to the mercy of the invading German army.

With the help of his colleagues in Prague and his mother Babette Winton played by the wonderful Helena Bonham Carter in one of her best supporting roles in years he forms the life saving operation known as the Czech Kindertransport .

His mother battles the government bureaucracy back home in an effort to locate foster parents and visas to bring the children to freedom in England while Nicholas Winton and his team in Prague organise transport and try to locate the lists of endangered children from the Jewish authorities after gaining their trust.

Wonderful ensemble supporting performances from Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Jonathan Pryce, Lena Olin. Tom Glenister, Samantha Spiro and many more bring this emotional heartfelt true story to life on screen.

It's so wonderful for this moviegoer to end 2023 with 2 movies in a row that I consider among the best of the year , especially on Sir Anthony Hopkin's 86th Birthday may you be blessed with many more days One at a Time.

The true story and the way he helped children is astounding!! What an amazing human. The actual filmmaking was mediocre. One note. Flat. I wanted to learn more about him as a young person. His motivations. Feel into him. The scene in Prague looked like movie scenes versus real life. And, I did feel some emotion due to the subject matter, but if done right, I would have cried through the entire thing. If I were you, I'd either watch the movie or read about the true story because the story and history is so important. I hope someone else makes a film about him. This film could have been epic. The actress that played his mom was amazing.

As a true story I want to make it very clear early on in this review that the actual events covered in One Life are incredible, and frankly everyone should learn about what happened in Czechoslovakia before the main out break of the War. And, it is a film that saw me on the edge of tears several times - when you see what we can do to each other (in the most horrible and most beautiful ways) how can you not be?

This said the film plays out like a slight tired Sunday afternoon watch, with melodramatic violins throughout that grated. It's all a little clean and obvious, and in places a little dull. And I felt Carter's casting felt out of place.

It is still worth a watch for the narrative as I say, and for Johnny Flynn playing the younger version of Anthony Hopkins Character, Nicholas Winton. Flynn sounds the exact same vocally!

From the start, this bore all the dreaded hallmarks of a routine TV movie: stale dialogue, laboured narrative, undeveloped characters. It was docu without the drama. No attempt to explore or present the trauma of separation and forced exile. All too clean, too tidy, too predictable, too focussed on the facts. I liked Hopkins, though remember him mostly as simply pottering around, mulling silently about the past. Things lifted in the final That's Life section, but in the end, I was left with the taste of cloying sentimentality and self-congratulation. I get it that the film was a tribute, and rightly, and deservedly so, in honouring this great man- but as a film, only a poor man's Schindler's, at best.

Having watched One Life this week has compelled me to write my first review on IMDb. It is the most profound film I have ever watched. The film craft was exceptional capturing the emotion of Winton without rush or sensationalism. The fact that the film is based on real life only makes its unforced message the more poignant. In the cinema where my wife and I watched, as the credits rolled at the end, there was a spontaneous round of applause. The manager told me that was rare but agreed with me that the film was so powerful and profound and passed his expectation given the pre-publicity and reviews.

I highly recommend anyone with a concern for present world events to view this poignant thought (and action) provoking film.