Fans compare ‘absolutely flawless’ war film to Schindler’s List – on BBC now
The film boasts an impressive overall score on the review site Rotten Tomatoes as fan claims it to be a real tear-jerker with a ‘moving’ real life story
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Fans say it’s ‘perfectly executed’ (Image: See-Saw Films/Julie Vrabelova. All Rights Reserved)
Based on a real-life story, this moving war drama has left a lasting impression on fans as they compare it to war film greats such as Schindler’s List.
The 2023 film had a stellar cast of British actors who had a huge impact on viewers when they left cinemas, and it continued as they discovered the gem on BBC iPlayer.
One Life is a biographical film directed by James Hawes, based on the true-life story of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, who successfully helped people flee German-occupied Czechoslovakia before the war. He was able to free 669 mostly Jewish children, as they hid and fled during 1938-1939 ahead of the chaos that erupted in World War II.
Throughout the film we see flashes between the 79-year-old Winton reminiscing on his unbelievable past and the younger 29-year-old version of himself. Playing the older Winton is British icon Anthony Hopkins, meanwhile, Johnny Flynn plays the man who fought for the lives of the innocent children in the 1930s.
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The film was released in 2023(Image: ©See-Saw Films. All rights reserved)
Hopkins stands as one of Britain’s most prolific actors, famous for his award-winning roles in the likes of The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Instinct and Shadowlands.
Starring alongside the leading characters are Helena Bonham Carter, Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp and Jonathan Pryce, who co-star in supporting roles. The cast have received widespread praise for their work in bringing this powerful story to life.
A fan of the film shared a comprehensive review on Rotten Tomatoes, where it has an overall score of 91%. It reads: “Brilliant! Absolutely flawless in just about every sense. The stellar cast all excels in character, very well written and stunning cinematography.
“The fact that one person CAN make a difference, even if it is just in his / her own world, definitely inspires. Remarkable take on true events. Very engaging and riveting.”
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It’s based on a real life story from the second world war (Image: See-Saw Films/Peter Mountain. All Rights Reserved)
Another fan shared: “We all know Schindler’s List and have surely read about many other great persons who rescued people from war zones, but who had ever heard of Nicholas Winton?
“I don’t care too much about movies during conflicts of war, as they make me suffer inside as well, and I surely don’t care about kids in movies. But this story had to be told as it shows there is always a way to do the right thing, helping and supporting others.”
The film comes to a moving ending when the then 79-year-old is reintroduced to the children that he saved all those years ago, which in fact did happen in real life. The hero went on to keep in touch with these people and their families right up until his death at 106 years old in 2015.
Another review states: “Very moving true story, perfectly executed with an amazing performance from Anthony Hopkins.”
War film fans can now stream One Life for free on BBC iPlayer – and prepare themselves to shed a tear.
SOURCE: WALESONLINE