One Life

As the tumultuous year of 1938 unfolded, the ominous shadow of Adolf Hitler loomed over Europe, casting fear and uncertainty among its inhabitants. In September, he executed the annexation of Austria, sending shockwaves throughout the global community. The leaders of Britain, France, and Italy, in a desperate attempt to avert a larger conflict, yielded to his demands, ceding control of the Sudetenland region in Czechoslovakia. Just a day after, Hitler’s forces stormed into Czechoslovakia, sparking a mass exodus of terrified refugees fleeing to the capital, Prague. Among these frightened families were countless children, all seeking safety and solace from the encroaching threat.

Far removed from this chaos, in the quiet English suburbs, Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins) lived a comparatively peaceful life with his wife, Grete (Lena Olin). But beneath the surface of their tranquil existence, tensions brewed. Grete’s mounting frustration with the clutter resulting from Nicholas’ humanitarian work had reached a tipping point. As she prepared for an upcoming trip, she insisted he find a home for an old briefcase that had long been neglected in his office. Alone with the memories of his past, Nicholas was about to embark on a journey that would change countless lives.

Transporting us back to 1938, we meet a younger Nicholas, affectionately known as Nicky (Johnny Flynn), living in London with his mother, Babi (Helena Bonham Carter). A stockbroker by profession, Nicky found himself increasingly pulled into the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Prague. His friend, Martin (Ziggy Heath), already active in aiding the flood of refugees, implored him to join the cause, despite the evident dangers.

Upon his arrival in Prague, Nicky connected with Trevor Chadwick (Alex Sharp) and Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai), both members of the British Committee for Refugees. They provided Nicky a grim view of the dire conditions that refugees faced. One maid, Hana Hejdukova (Juliana Moska), graciously guided Nicky through the overcrowded camps, where he was profoundly struck by the sight of ill-equipped children bracing for the harsh winter ahead.

As Nicky investigated further, he stumbled upon a disheartening truth: the British Kindertransport program, which successfully evacuated children from Germany and Austria, had no plans to extend its efforts to Czechoslovakia. This realization only intensified his determination to help. He met with a Rabbi who voiced concerns over Nicky’s intentions, fearing they could inadvertently aid Hitler’s extermination plan. Undeterred, Nicky reminded the Rabbi that his Jewish heritage, though significant, had been overshadowed by his upbringing as a Christian. Gradually, the Rabbi came to understand Nicky’s intentions, and they began devising a plan to save the children.

When Nicky’s cause reached Babi, she sprang into action, gathering vital information from the British Immigration office. She encountered Mr. Leadbetter (Michael Gould), the head of the office, whose dismissiveness did little to deter her resolve. Meanwhile, Nicky paused his plans to join forces with Hana, thoroughly gathering data on the children in desperate need of help. He was especially focused on locating a young girl and her infant sibling that he had encountered during his initial visit.

Years later, a distressing call from his daughter prompted Nicholas to sift through stored memories, leaving behind remnants of his past. Nicky and Trevor worked relentlessly gathering testimonials from Jewish families, while Babi educated them on the arduous process of securing asylum—complete with application submissions, sponsorship, financial backing, medical certifications, and the commitment of foster families.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Nicky proposed using the press to rally public support, and Trevor presented him with a briefcase brimming with essential documents. Babi helped them draft an urgent letter outlining the dire conditions in Prague and their desperation for assistance.

As time’s sands slipped through the hourglass, Nicky and Babi paid another visit to Mr. Leadbetter, pleading with him to expedite the necessary processes to facilitate the escape of their first twenty children to Liverpool within a daunting two-week timeframe, especially given the threat of impending invasion. Babi’s heartfelt entreaty resonated with Leadbetter, who agreed to assist provided all paperwork was properly submitted.

In a race against time, Nicky and his team persistently worked alongside Martin to secure the vital documents for the first group. Trevor’s news of escalating turmoil in Prague served as a stark reminder of the escalating crisis, yet the first twenty children made their escape to England, and were subsequently assigned to their new foster families.

As Nicholas rifled through the memories of his past, he was determined to reveal and share the noble efforts of their mission. Despite encountering hurdles along the way, his commitment led him to meet Elisabeth “Betty” Maxwell (Marthe Keller), a historian interested in documenting his endeavors during the war. Together, they pored over the pages of a weathered scrapbook, each tale a testament to the countless lives he had affected. By the end, Nicholas proudly shared that he had facilitated the safe passage of 669 children, evoking admiration and heartbreak at the thought of those left behind.

With Christmas nearing, Nicholas and Grete welcomed their daughter, engulfed in holiday joy. However, amidst the celebration, a message from the Sunday Mirror emerged, offering Nicholas a chance to recount his harrowing yet uplifting story on BBC’s “That’s Life!” As he sat and awaited his moment on screen, the host, Esther Rantzen (Samantha Spiro), artfully conveyed Nicholas’ narrative, leading to an unexpected emotional reunion with Vera, one of the rescued children.

In the time that followed, Grete had once more received a call, revealing that two more individuals—whose lives had been forever changed due to Nicholas’ deeds—longed to meet him. This lead to another reunion on the show, where Esther revealed that the audience consisted entirely of the now-adult children that Nicholas had saved during the war.

Surrounded by tears of joy and warm cheers, Nicholas stood in awe of the lives he had touched, his heart swelling with fulfillment. In subsequent years, he and Grete continued to nurture relationships with Vera and her family, solidifying bonds of love forged through shared experiences.

In the remarkable epilogue of this journey, Nicholas maintained close ties with those he had rescued until his passing at the incredible age of 106. His legacy endured through the scrapbook, gifted to the Holocaust Museum in Israel as a tribute to his unwavering humanity and selflessness. In recognition of these noble contributions, Queen Elizabeth II honored Nicholas with the title of knighthood, a fitting tribute to a life devoted to uplifting others in their darkest hours.

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:50