Some films almost make themselves. You get a decent enough story and cast the right people in the roles, and all it takes is for a competent director to point the camera in the right direction. One Life is one such story. The tale of an ordinary man who did a most remarkable thing. It’s a story that needed to be told, and while it’s a perfect example of the kind of film that plays very nicely to the older cinemagoer, it’s a film that the younger generation should be aware of. It’s that remarkable a tale and one that seems surprisingly relevant today.

It is the eve of World War II, and banker Nicholas Winton feels shocked by what is happening in Czechoslovakia, where people are trying to evacuate before the Germans enter the country. Without any real support from the British government, Winton headed out to the country to try and save the children caught up in the chaos. Years later, Winton suddenly becomes the media’s focus when he discovers a scrapbook about his past.

Those who remember the edition of the TV show That’s Life!, which focused on Nicholas Winton, may be familiar with the man, but the film goes deeper than just a man determined to do some right for a country on the verge of being invaded. Winton was a man who refused to face any obstacles, instead having a steadfast approach to getting as many children out of the country to some form of safety.

Director James Hawes, making his feature debut after years working in TV, uses flashbacks to tell the tale, which, unlike other films using this form, doesn’t interfere with the flow of the drama. We see Winton in his twilight years as he prepares for the arrival of his daughter for Christmas, has to tidy up his files and discovers a briefcase given to him by one of the people supporting him on his mission.

Jumping to the events of the war isn’t only a celebration of Winton’s remarkable achievements but also Doreen Warriner, a feisty woman who was just as crucial in the evacuation of Czechoslovakia and willing to sacrifice everything to achieve this. She was an unsung hero, and seeing her being championed as much as Winton was terrific.

As I mentioned at the beginning, you need perfect casting to make this film work. Thankfully, this has exactly that, with everyone giving their all for the film to work. Nice to see Lena Olin and Martha Keller back on the big screen, playing Winton’s wife, Grete, and Betty Maxwell, wife of publisher Robert Maxwell, who became the woman to get the story out to the public. Big hitters Helena Bonham Carter, as Winton’s mother, and a brief appearance from Jonathan Pryce add some gravitas to the proceedings.

As Doreen, Romola Garai is terrific as the hard-nosed Doreen, and she has her own story to be told (maybe a sequel?). The young Winton is played with confidence and aplomb by Johnny Flynn, who is always good in everything he touches but here has the right balance of a stiff-upper-lipped British attitude and a calming man desperate to make a difference in other people’s lives. The real winner is the excellent Sir Anthony Hopkins, who never disappoints, and here he is terrific, bringing an air of humbleness to the role of this gentleman. When Hopkins cries, you cannot help yourself.

One Life is a must-see to salute a forgotten hero. You will need to take the tissues as this story is as powerful as that of Schindler’s List but without the Hollywood budget. You would be crazy not to see this heartfelt and incredible story.

4 out of 5

Director: James Hawes

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham Carter, Jonathan Pryce, Romola Garai, Lena Olin, Adrian Rawlins, Samantha Spiro, Martha Keller

Written by: Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake

Running Time: 110 mins

Cert: 12A

Release date: 1st January 2024