The story is fairly well known now, at least in the UK, but hopefully this film will bring it to the world. The film brings the story to life and how daunting and hopeless the task seemed to begin with. I had previously assumed Nicholas Winton had some sort of link to the establishment in order to get the necessary visas and other requirements. In fact, he was just an ordinary guy who felt he had to do something and, with other ordinary people, tackled each problem methodically and was able to overcome all hurdles to bring 669 mainly Jewish children out of pre-war Prague - almost certainly saving their lives.
So inspiring and, indeed, heroic.
With such a story, it is difficult to think that the film would not be pretty good just on that alone. However, I have seen inspiring stories fumbled before. That is not the case here. To my eyes it was handled with a deft touch aided by great performances from the ensemble cast, particularly by Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter.
As one might expect, the 2 timelines of pre-war Prague and the near present when the story came to light are run in parallel and that works very well, with each being moving in their own way. Together is something of an emotional overload - but in a good way. Nicky did so much but was also traumatised by those he was not able to save. Seeing all those alive today because of his efforts must have been cathartic. There is a touch of It's a Wonderful Life about the film - which is never a bad thing.
The message that determined ordinary people can make a difference facing daunting obstacles is timeless. This is a true story and so not just empty rhetoric. Also, about caring for others, particularly in the face of man's ongoing inhumanity to man. Hopefully this film will inspire future Nicholas Wintons.
So inspiring and, indeed, heroic.
With such a story, it is difficult to think that the film would not be pretty good just on that alone. However, I have seen inspiring stories fumbled before. That is not the case here. To my eyes it was handled with a deft touch aided by great performances from the ensemble cast, particularly by Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter.
As one might expect, the 2 timelines of pre-war Prague and the near present when the story came to light are run in parallel and that works very well, with each being moving in their own way. Together is something of an emotional overload - but in a good way. Nicky did so much but was also traumatised by those he was not able to save. Seeing all those alive today because of his efforts must have been cathartic. There is a touch of It's a Wonderful Life about the film - which is never a bad thing.
The message that determined ordinary people can make a difference facing daunting obstacles is timeless. This is a true story and so not just empty rhetoric. Also, about caring for others, particularly in the face of man's ongoing inhumanity to man. Hopefully this film will inspire future Nicholas Wintons.