Nicholas Winton – a modest, not seeking publicity and unremarkable official from London – today he is the talk of the whole world. Just before the outbreak of World War II, he accomplished something impressive. It was mainly thanks to him that as many as 669 children avoided a tragic fate and gained a chance for a second life in Great Britain. It's hard to believe, but until the end of the 1980s, even his closest relatives did not realize what he had accomplished in the past. Fortunately, his story finally came to light.
On May 31, a film about Nicholas Winton will be released in Polish cinemas. In production “One life” the main character is played by two actors – In he played the younger one Johnny Flynnand in contemporary scenes, the older man is played by an outstanding actor Anthony Hopkins. Watch the trailer!
What facts from the life of Nicholas Winton are worth knowing before watching the movie “One Life” in the cinema?
Nicholas Winton was born on May 19, 1909 in London (this is the 125th anniversary of his birth). He died on July 1, 2015 in Slough, aged 106.
The turning point in the life of a London stockbroker was a trip with a friend Martin Blake, a teacher at Westminster School and a member of the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia, to Prague in 1938, just before the outbreak of the war. Upon arrival together with Doreen Wariner they visited a camp where Jewish families with children from the Sudetes region were staying. This harrowing experience completely changed Nicholas Winton's life.
He decided to do everything to save the children and find them shelter and a second home in Great Britain in foster families. After returning to London, Nicholas Winton convinced British authorities to support him in this risky venture. The first group of 20 children entered Great Britain by air. Then the children traveled through Germany to England by train.
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As we read on the website aboutholocaust.org: “The first transport left Prague on March 14, 1939. (…) From March to August, Winton and his friends organized another seven railway transports. The last transport left Prague on August 2, 1939, a month before the outbreak of war.”
Thanks to the efforts of the heroes, 669 children were saved. The last train with 250 people was supposed to leave Prague on September 1, 1939 – it failed. Nicholas Winton could not forgive himself for the rest of his life that he had not managed to save this last group.
During the war, Nicholas Winton served in the British Air Force. After its completion, he returned to work as a government official, but was still involved in many charitable initiatives, especially in his hometown of Maidenhead, near London. However, he did it discreetly, not caring about publicity. He wished to remain anonymous.
Only in 1988, after his wife's persuasion Grete, who found a mysterious notebook in the attic containing notes and documents from that period, decided to reveal her story. He became known thanks to the BBC program “Nick's Children”, in which he met on camera with the people he had saved.
A documentary was created about his life “Nicholas Winton – The Power of Good”which won an Emmy in 2002.
He was the then Prime Minister of England Tony Blair For the first time he publicly called Winton “British Schindler”. In 2003, the hero received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. When asked about the decision to save so many people, he replied that “something had to be done.” Winton was also honored with the highest state distinction in the Czech Republic – the Order of the White Lion. Moreover, the Czech government nominated him as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. It is also worth noting that a monument to him was erected at the railway station in the center of Prague. In London, at Liverpool Street station, there is a monument commemorating the children he saved.
Nicholas Winton remained modest until the day of his death, he did not boast about his achievements and never agreed to be called a hero. He passed away at the age of 106. With his wife, who died in 1999, they had three children: Barbara, Nick and Robin. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the shooting of the film “One Life” begin in 2022 in Prague and Great Britain.
The film “One Life” directed by James Hawes (“Black Mirror”) will be released in Polish cinemas on May 31. The distributor of the title in Poland is Monolith Films.