I was thrilled when I heard that the work of Sir Nicholas Winton was to be made into a drama for the silver screen. Like hundreds, possibly thousands, of people with a Czech-Jewish heritage, I owe a debt of gratitude to this man. His innate belief that he had a personal responsibility to “do the right thing” challenged the criminal stagnation of governments as Hitler brazenly hatched the diabolical plan that resulted in the Holocaust.
One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter, is based on a book by Winton’s daughter Barbara. I understand before he died in 2015, Sir Nicholas approved the film concept with the caveat that the dramatisation must be about the work of his team and not a piece of personal glorification. The result doesn’t exalt, but it does pay rightful tribute and is incredibly moving. I was in tears through the final scenes of the film, as I suspect most viewers will be.
For me this depiction was also a reminder of the first time I came across Nicholas Winton, when the sight of my family name etched over and over on the walls of Pinkas Synagogue in
