“Stirring” British drama based on “powerful and moving” true story is now streaming on the BBC

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BBC iPlayer has a new addition: a powerful British drama called One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins. The 2023 film, directed by James Hawes, is based on the true story of Nicholas Winton, a man who rescued children from Nazi Germany. The movie tells his story by switching between different periods in his life.

Anthony Hopkins portrays Winton as an elderly man reflecting on his life, and Johnny Flynn plays the younger version of him – a 29-year-old stockbroker – right before the Second World War began.

Between 1938 and 1939, Nicholas Winton rescued 669 children, most of whom were Jewish, by helping them escape from German-occupied Czechoslovakia. The film One Life tells the story of his race against time to save these children before the Nazis sealed the borders.

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I just finished watching One Life on BBC Two – it’s amazing! It’s based on the incredible story of Sir Nicholas Winton, and the film really brings his life, as told in his daughter Barbara’s book If It’s Not Impossible…The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton, to life. You can now catch it on iPlayer if you missed it!

Lena Olin will play Winton’s wife, Grete, and Helena Bonham Carter will portray his mother, Babette ‘Babi’ Winton, who was a German-Jewish immigrant to England, completing the main cast.

The movie also features Romola Garai as Doreen Warriner, a really amazing woman who was part of the Kindertransport effort, helping kids in Czechoslovakia. And Jonathan Pryce plays Martin Blake, a fellow humanitarian who becomes a lifelong friend of Nicholas Winton, the main guy the film is about.

I just checked out One Life, and it’s getting amazing reviews! It’s written by Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake, and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a ‘Certified Fresh’ badge – 91% based on 150 reviews, which is seriously impressive.

The film is a truly powerful and emotional story, and critics at The Spectator recommend keeping tissues handy – it’s a difficult watch, but ultimately uplifting.

Okay, so it’s not flashy or anything, but honestly, the story is just powerful. It’s genuinely moving and full of good people doing good things, and it really got to me emotionally. Seriously, have a box of tissues handy – you’ll probably need them. I almost went through a sleeve of my jacket!

Critics have called the film a visually appealing and emotionally resonant historical drama (according to The Daily Telegraph), and Anthony Hopkins’ acting has been widely praised as outstanding (Time Out).

One Life is streaming on BBC iPayer.

The latest issue of Living Legends magazine is now available, and it’s a special tribute to Dolly Parton! You can find ‘Dolly at 80’ in shops that sell magazines or order it online for only £8.99.

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2026-01-27 16:49