One Life
The Film
One Life is a 2023 biographical drama film directed by James Hawes. It is based on the true story of British humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton as he looks back on his past efforts to help groups of Jewish children in German-occupied Czechoslovakia to hide and flee in 1938–39, just before the beginning of World War II.
The film stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn as Sir Nicholas, with Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Jonathan Pryce, and Helena Bonham Carter in supporting roles.
One Life had its world première at the Toronto International Film Festival on 9 September 2023, and its European première at the 2023 London Film Festival. It was released in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2024 by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film received positive reviews, with praise for the performances of the cast, particularly Hopkins'.
Production
In September 2020, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn were announced as being attached to a biopic about Sir Nicholas Winton called One Life. From a Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake screenplay, Aisling Walsh was set to direct with See-Saw Films and BBC Film producing through executive producers Rose Garnett and Simon Gillis, and producers Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Joanna Laurie. FilmNation Entertainment and Cross City Films were to be managing international sales.
In September 2022, it was revealed that James Hawes was attached to direct his feature film debut while Helena Bonham Carter had joined the cast as Winton's mother, Babi Winton. It was also revealed that Guy Heeley was on board as producer and that the screenplay was based on the book 'If It's Not Impossible…The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton', written by his daughter Barbara Winton. Also announced as joining the cast were Jonathan Pryce, Romola Garai and Alex Sharp. Filming took place in London in September 2022, with principal photography also taking place in Prague.
Winton’s daughter requested that Hopkins should play her father. Hopkins read the script and accepted the part. Winton’s son praised Hopkins' portrayal of his father. One survivor called the film a "fitting tribute".
The extras making up the recreation of the show’s audience are the actual children of those Winton had saved.
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"If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it"
These are the words of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, an amazing man who saved hundreds of lives during World War Two – and who was also a Rotarian.
Nicky is the subject of One Life which was released in UK cinemas in January, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter.
One Life tells the true story of the young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War Two, rescued 669 children from the Nazis.
Indeed, in a pivotal scene, Sir Anthony who plays Nicky, is pictured at the BBC studios where details of his heroic work were broadcast for the first time. He is pictured on screen wearing a Rotary tie and pin as a proud member of Maidenhead Rotary Club in Berkshire. Nicky died in 2015 aged 106.
In December 1938 Nicky visited Prague. There he found families who had fled Germany and Austria, who were living in desperate conditions with little or no shelter and food, and under threat of Nazi invasion. He realised it was a race against time. How many children could he and the team rescue before the borders closed?
Cast
Sir Anthony Hopkins as Nicholas Winton
Johnny Flynn as young Nicholas Winton
Helena Bonham Carter as Babi Winton
Lena Olin as Grete Winton
Jonathan Pryce as Martin Blake
Ziggy Heath as young Martin Blake
Romola Garai as Doreen Warriner
Alex Sharp as Trevor Chadwick
Samantha Spiro as Esther Rantzen
Juliana Moska as Hana Hejdukova
Ella Novakova as Lenka
Samuel Finzi as Rabbi Hertz
Henrietta Garden as Vera Gissing
Frantiska Polakova as young Vera Diamontova
Alzbeta Cerna as Eva Diamontova
Jolana Jirotkova as gap-toothed girl
Anna Darvas as Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines
Marthe Keller as Betty Maxwell
Michael Gould as Leadbetter
Adrian Rawlins as Geoff