[sombre music playing]
[grunts]
[engine starts]
[opera music playing
over speakers]
[clinking]
[music stops]
Home.
[newsreader over radio]
Although it'll start off
with some sunshine
in the morning,
you'll find cloud coming
along in the afternoon.
That's all, have a lovely day.
- [oven beeping]
- [grunts]
BBC News, and good day.
Just 24 hours after what
many are calling Black Monday,
the FTSE 100 Index
lost another 250 points,
leaving businesses
and investors reeling.
Well, that's what happens
when you deregulate.
[newsreader] Global
markets have rallied somewhat
after yesterday's losses
which saw Wall Street close
- a full 508 points down.
- Idiots.
[newsreader] Supporters
and families of Tamil migrants
have gathered outside a
London refugee detention centre
to protest against
the government's plan
to deport them.
[woman] We came here
because in our country
our lives are in danger.
We came to keep
our children safe.
[newsreader] A Home
Office spokesman described
Britain's humanitarian
record as outstanding.
- [grunts]
- We'll have a report.
- [radio clicks off]
- [Grete speaking indistinctly]
- [inhales]
- [telephone hangs up]
[Grete] Hello, darling.
[Grete sighs]
I was worried this would be...
- Huh?
- Burnt on top.
[oven closes]
You all right?
- [Nicky] What?
- What's that?
Well, what does it
look like? It's a button.
- A button?
- Yes.
Somebody just,
uh, put it in the tin.
Honestly. People.
Well, you never know
when it may come in handy.
Hm.
[sighs]
[engine rumbles, stops]
[Grete] Oh.
- [Nicky] Oh, hello.
- [Grete] What have you got now?
Oh, it's a typewriter.
[chuckles] I know what it is,
but you've already got one.
I know. It's not
for me. It's, um...
They don't need it
anymore at the day centre,
so I thought it
would be all right
for the new care home.
And, uh, we can hang
on to it in the meanwhile.
- No.
- Huh?
No.
Why? Uh, I've also
got a desk outside.
- What? Where?
- Well, I haven't brought it in yet but...
- Oh, Nicky. It's too much.
- What?
How will we fit everyone
in at Christmas?
[chuckles] I don't know.
They'll just have to
shove up, won't they?
Your daughter is
seven months pregnant.
- I know.
- She cannot "shove up".
All right.
Well, I'll move it
all to the study then.
Oh, the study.
I bet you have plenty
of room in the study.
- God. [grunts]
- Let's go and check the study.
- Oh, Nicky.
- [Nicky] Out.
Do you still need all this?
Yes. Why?
What... What's in
all these drawers?
- Well, everything I think.
- [Grete] Darling.
[sighs]
A domino, a biscuit
and how many rubber
bands does one man need?
I don't know. I've never
asked the question.
And you've got to find
the right home for that.
Somewhere it will
be appreciated.
Please, Nicky,
you have to let go.
For your own sake.
[sombre music playing]
[sighs]
[sombre music continues]
[indistinct shouting]
[whistle blowing]
[children screaming]
[gasps, breathing heavily]
Oh, I'm so looking
forward to it.
[Barbara] Do you want
me to stay with him?
No, no. No, he'll be fine.
[Barbara] Okay, well,
maybe I'll just call him.
Yes. Yes. He's a
grown man. [chuckles]
You don't have to wave me off.
Of course I'm going
to wave you off.
[Grete] Everyone's here.
Ah.
[coins clinking]
Huh.
[machine buzzes]
[chuckles]
- [kisses]
- [Nicky] Hm.
Nicky,
don't let yourself get...
What?
[sighs] How you get.
- I won't. Of course I won't.
- [Grete chuckles]
You have a wonderful time.
[bus engine starts]
[distant easy-going
music playing]
- Home.
- [Babi] Ah, Nicky.
- You missed Martin.
- Damn.
[Babi] Two hearts. Kings.
Uh, hello. Did Martin
say if he'd call back?
Seven o'clock sharp.
[Nicky] Oh.
Thank you, mother.
You're very welcome, son.
[guests chuckle]
[Bernard] Isn't Martin the chap he
was supposed to be going skiing with?
Yes. But Martin
is in Prague now,
helping refugees.
[Bernard] Prague?
Well, precisely.
[telephone ringing]
- Hello?
- [over telephone] It's Martin.
- Can you hear me? Nicky?
- I... I can hear you.
- It's a terrible line.
- I can hear you.
Listen, I'm not sure
you should come.
No, it's all arranged.
I have my ticket.
I have to leave Prague tonight.
I'll have a man called
Trevor Chadwick meet you.
I'm so sorry. It's just
such a mess here.
[woman] Happy Christmas.
[knocking on door]
So, you going?
I am, yes.
[inhales sharply]
Everyone in Prague
is trying to get out.
My son is trying to get in.
Did you speak to Martin?
I did. Uh, turns out
he's not gonna be there.
He's escorting some
refugees out of the country
and then he's heading
back home to London.
- Nicky.
- Look, I have to do something.
It... Is... [sighs]
And you, of all people,
should understand that.
Isn't that what you taught me?
Well, I can't just sit
here reading about it.
These people need help.
I was never in doubt
that the cause was just,
only whether Prague is safe.
It's only a week.
Uh, I'll be back before
you even miss me.
Nicky, it's not a joke.
I know, I know.
I'm sorry, but I...
I have to go.
[train rumbling]
[announcer speaking
Czech over speakers]
[brakes squealing]
[child crying]
Here we are.
- [Rudi] Mr Chadwick.
- This is Mr Winton.
- [Rudi] Evening.
- Now, don't go giving him
a better room than me.
All our rooms are the
best rooms, Mr Chadwick.
Rudi takes good care of us.
Welcome. And Miss
Warriner is in the bar.
[indistinct chatter]
Oh, that's Doreen
with one of our refugees.
Over here.
- [waiter speaking Czech]
- [Trevor speaking Czech]
[in English] Her
husband was picked up
on the street this morning.
Picked up by?
Doreen thinks n*zi spies
doing h*tler's dirty work.
What will happen?
To him, I mean.
Ah, thank you, thank you.
He'll be dumped somewhere.
Maybe alive,
but probably not.
[footsteps approaching]
[Doreen] You're Martin's
friend, the stockbroker.
- Nicky. And you must be, uh...
- Unbelievably angry.
- [Trevor] So?
- [Doreen] We've managed to get
Monika into a safe
house for the night
and her daughter on
the plane out tomorrow.
[Trevor] Well, that's something.
So, Martin says you know
your way around a desk.
That's quite an accolade.
[Doreen] It is here.
Paperwork's everything.
[in Czech]
[in English] And
can I just ask, um,
why... why was that
woman's husband taken?
He ran a newspaper in Germany.
Spoke out against the Nazis.
When it got too dangerous,
they escaped over the
border into Czechoslovakia.
- The Sudetenland.
- Where they thought
they'd be safe.
[Doreen] And so
they fled to Prague.
All right, I've got a lot to do.
Taking supplies to
the camps tomorrow.
I could use your help.
Can I ask what
brought you out here?
[chuckles] I came 10
years ago for a study trip.
I just... just love the
place, love the people.
Now they're in
trouble. So I came back.
[tram ringing]
[Nicky] Are they all
from the Sudetenland?
[Doreen] Mostly.
Some from Austria and
Germany who fled there first.
Drive an hour north of here,
towards the German border,
you'll see the
towns they ran from
hung with n*zi flags.
[Nicky] Dear God.
[Doreen] I know. And there
are thousands more like this.
Ahoj, Hana. This
is Nicholas Winton.
He's here to help out.
[Nicky] Oh.
Hana Hejdukova. Liaison
officer for Czech refugees.
- Hello.
- Your first time
- in Czechoslovakia?
- Yes, yes, it... Yes, it is.
Shame you didn't come sooner.
When there was more of it.
[Doreen] Hana.
Um, can you get the others?
[Nicky] Oh, there we go.
So, you've managed to
get doctors out to them?
[Doreen] Oh, plenty
of doctors already here.
Lots of these children grew
up thinking the worst thing
that was ever gonna happen
to them was piano practice.
[grunts]
[man] Nicky.
[indistinct chatter]
- [child crying]
- [coughing]
[woman speaking Czech]
[girl speaking Czech]
[indistinct chatter]
[group speaking Czech]
[man inhales sharply]
[crying]
[child coughing]
[solemn music playing]
[children crying]
[child giggles]
- Hello.
- [chuckles]
I'm so... I'm sorry,
I haven't got anything.
Oh, wait,
now hold on a moment.
- [chuckles]
- Chocolate.
Here we go.
- [boy 1 speaking Czech]
- [in English] Oh, yes,
of course you'd
like some as well.
- There we go.
- [speaking Czech]
- [children chattering]
- [Nicky] Oh. [chuckles]
[in English] Let's
see how far we go.
Oh, crikey.
There's only a tiny bit.
- And little bit for you.
- [boy 2 speaking Czech]
[Nicky in English]
Little bit for you.
[boy 3 speaking Czech]
[Nicky in English] That's
it. That's the last of it.
- There you go.
- [baby crying]
I'm sorry. I'll, um... I'll
bring more, another day.
Foto, foto.
Yes, yes. It's a good idea.
What's your name?
- I'm Nicky.
- [chuckles]
Can you say, "Nicky"?
- [camera clicks]
- There we go.
[child speaking Czech]
- [Vaclav in Czech]
- [children shouting]
How will these children
survive the winter?
Well, they probably won't.
And there are a dozen
more places like this.
Surely, they should
be the priority,
the children, families.
My remit is to rescue politicals
at imminent risk of arrest.
And I've hardly the money
or manpower for that.
What about the British
government trains?
The Kindertransport?
It's only for children leaving
Germany and Austria.
Not from Czechoslovakia.
Unfortunately, His
Majesty's government refuses
to believe these
people are in danger.
[indistinct chatter]
- [Doreen speaking Czech]
- [group speaking Czech]
[Nicky in English] How many
children are we talking about?
Oh, well, we don't know.
That's part of the problem.
Thousands. There's
refugees all over the city.
Jewish people, especially.
But anyone, really,
who doesn't fit
into h*tler's master race.
They're banned from travel
and the UK's
refusing entry visas
to families trying
to get out. It's chaos.
Welcome to the British Committee
for Refugees from
Czechoslovakia.
Hana, get him those
files, would you?
That's quite a filing
system. [chuckles]
[Doreen] Yes. Well, if the
Germans send in their spies,
at least they won't be
able to find anything.
- [chuckles]
- In any case,
you're the one who's supposed
to be good with paperwork.
[grunts] This is you.
Uh, yes, this report
details the political activists
in and around Prague.
What's this?
The Fhrer's travel
plans in black and white.
He's got his sights
set on half of Europe.
It's just a question of when.
Who else has seen it?
Half of Prague, I imagine.
Meant to intimidate.
h*tler's never made any
secret of his ambitions.
The allies banked
on appeasing him
with a fat slice
of this country.
Now the vicious sh*t's just
gonna take the rest of it.
The children. We
have to move them.
Says the man who
arrived yesterday.
Well, I'm not suggesting
it's gonna be easy.
A mass transit of children
without money or... or visas?
Well, we'll find a way.
How long are you
here for? A week?
And then you're
back to your bank.
Can we please put
that aside for now?
Well, can we
please be realistic?
We can't give these
people false hope.
Look, we... we have to believe
that this might be possible.
[sighs] Look...
Let me try. Let... Let... Let me
find out the scale
of the problem.
You know, how many
children, names and ages,
where they're living.
There must be
existing information.
Well, the vulnerable
groups, they do have lists.
But, they are
scared to share them.
Well, then, we need
to earn their trust.
We need those lists.
So, we have to persuade them.
Please, let me try.
Good afternoon. Uh,
my name is Winton.
Nicholas Winton.
Yes, I'm ringing from
the British Committee
for Refugees from
Czechoslovakia.
Well, I'm looking to obtain
a list of vulnerable children.
[phone line disconnects]
No, I understand, but we
will have everything in place.
- [phone line disconnects]
- Hello? Hello?
[Nicky speaking German]
[phone line disconnects]
[in English] Yes. May I
at least come and meet?
Thank you for seeing me.
[Rabbi] How could I resist?
You're offering to get
children out of Prague.
A lot of them.
That is correct.
h*tler will be thrilled to
know you're helping him
eradicate Jews from the region.
With... With respect,
uh, I'm moving children
of all faiths and none.
Separating them
from their families,
perhaps from their religion?
Accommodating
them in safe homes,
with families in foster homes.
Jewish foster homes?
I don't know.
I don't think that's
a question for now.
But it's a question I'm asking.
You are not the only
person at this table
concerned about the
well-being of Jewish children.
Parents in London are preparing
to send their
children out of the city
to safety in the event of a w*r.
What I'm proposing
is no different.
Your children would be protected
and returned to their
families as soon as it's safe.
Are you Jewish, Mr Winton?
[scoffs]
Why would you ask that?
Because I wonder why
a person would undertake
this daunting task for people
to whom he has
no real allegiance,
in a place where
he does not belong.
You're a stockbroker from London
with a comfortable
life, I presume.
You've done some research.
It is a serious matter. So,
why are you doing this?
What I mean is, who
are you, Mr Winton?
Well...
My father's family
came from Germany
to London in the 1870s.
Till just a few months
ago, we were Wertheims.
We went through the last w*r
with a German surname
and my mother...
my mother couldn't
stand doing it again, so...
And my grandparents
on both sides were Jewish.
But I was baptised in
the Church of England.
So, [chuckles]
I don't know what you'd call me.
I would call you a Jew.
I consider myself a European,
an agnostic,
and a Socialist.
There are children here,
living in fields, in the
open, in... in... in mud...
The worst of
winter's still to come
and under the thr*at
of n*zi invasion.
I have seen this
and I cannot unsee it.
And because I may be
able to do something about it,
I must.
At least try.
[sighs]
The task you propose
requires money and visas.
I don't have them. Yet.
But I'll get them.
[clattering]
[drawer opens]
If I send these children to you,
I'm placing their
lives in your hands.
A very great responsibility.
So, in the end, Mr Winton,
it is a question of trust.
In Hebrew, there is a saying.
[speaking Hebrew]
[in English] Don't start
what you can't finish.
[telephone ringing]
Hampstead, 7946.
Mother?
Nicky! So good to hear you.
Now, listen, I can't be long.
No, of course not. No, uh...
But are you all right?
Are you safe?
I'm perfectly fine.
You don't sound very convincing.
Just tell me you're
coming home, yes?
Yes, yes, now, listen.
I need you to do
something for me.
Tell me.
And I'm afraid it's
not going to be easy.
Hello, Rudi, I'd like
to send a telegram.
Yes, certainly,
sir, just a moment.
To, Mr Hart, H-A-R-T...
"H-A-R-T."
At Crews Brothers, stockbrokers.
Slight change of plan.
- [Rudi] "Slight change."
- Stop.
Working Prague with Refugees.
[speaking Czech]
[Nicky in English]
Return to office delayed.
[in Czech]
[in English] He thought
you were official. German.
Oh, no, no, no. I'm sorry. Um...
No, I'm... I'm... I'm
trying to help the families.
[solemn music playing]
- Madam.
- Oh.
Good morning. My
name is Babette Winton.
I'd like to speak to
someone in immigration.
And where have you arrived from?
From Hampstead, on the 24 bus.
I'm a British citizen
seeking your advice.
- Do you have an appoint...
- An appointment? No.
But I'm happy to wait.
[woman in German]
[solemn music continues]
Mr Jovak?
Here.
[man] Come this way, please.
[Hana] Anyone else?
Yes, actually, um,
there was a young girl
that I first saw when Doreen
brought me here, um...
She was about 11 or 12.
She had a very
young baby sister.
Applications are considered
according to protocol...
Oh, protocol. That is
a meaningless phrase.
You repeating it ad
infinitum really doesn't help.
These are
unaccompanied children.
They're children,
they are desperate,
and they are starving.
Like many poorer
British children.
British children are
not facing the thr*at
of imminent n*zi invasion.
Mrs Winton, there are
other people waiting.
If you don't mind...
Young man, I have
something to tell you. Sit down.
I came here 30 years ago,
from Germany, to marry.
I raised my family here.
My husband is buried here.
And what I have most
admired about this country
is its commitment
to decency, kindness,
and respect for others.
I raised my son in
accordance with these values
and he is in Prague,
now, as we speak,
putting these
values into practice.
I am merely asking
you to do the same.
Is that too much to ask?
Ask your questions, Mrs Winton.
Thank you. Now, I
need you to concentrate
and I need you to be very clear.
[Hana speaking Czech]
[Lenka speaking Czech]
[in English] She's 12.
[Hana in Czech]
[baby whimpers]
[baby crying]
[whispering]
[in English] They don't know
whose baby it is. No one does.
She is helping care for her.
But what about the parents?
Hm, taken or dead.
[baby continues crying]
[clears throat] Right.
Let's get on.
[camera clicks]
[telephone ringing]
[answering machine beeps]
[Nicky over machine]
This is Maidenhead, 3310.
Nicholas and Grete Winton.
Please leave a message.
[beeps]
[Barbara over machine] Hi, Dad.
It's just me checking
in to see you're okay.
We're all right. Had
just been to the clinic,
everything's fine with the baby.
Mum says that you're thinking
about what to do
with the briefcase.
Um...
I know that won't
be easy for you.
I'm here if you
wanna talk about it.
Hope you're swimming lots.
[valve squeaks]
[whirring]
[water flowing]
[switch clicks]
[fire crackling]
[exhales]
[exhales]
[piano playing]
[piano continues playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman in German]
[man in English] In Munich,
Nazis took my brothers.
My nephews tried to stop them,
12, 10 years old, just boys.
They were beaten and
thrown down the stairs
and taken to the camps.
[speaking Czech]
[in English] Eva and Vera.
These are my sister's boys,
Honza and Tommy.
Our family name is Diamantova.
Oh, thank you.
That's Vera.
Eva.
Honza, Tommy.
Oh, what happened here?
She fell. Skiing. She
loves the mountains.
Oh. You like... You like skiing?
I love skiing.
[speaking Czech]
[in English] Skiing
and swimming.
And swimming? Me too. [chuckles]
- Morning, Rudi.
- Morning.
Would you mind putting a call
through to this number for me?
- Of course. Give me a moment.
- Thank you.
And Mr Winton,
you have a telegram.
[Nicky] Oh. Thank you.
[Rudi speaking Czech]
[Rudi in English]
Mr Winton, your call.
Cabin number two.
[Babi over telephone]
Nicky, you will not believe
- what they are asking for.
- All right, I'm ready.
A separate visa
application for each child.
An individual sponsor
who must promise to pay
for all the child's needs.
And a fee of 50 pounds to
pay for their eventual return.
- Fifty pounds?
- Yes, I know.
Wait, there's more.
A medical certificate,
uh, and a foster parent
to care for the child
till the age of 17
or until they are
able to return home.
Christ, Nicky!
[Nicky] Yeah.
[Hana] Nicky?
Mr Slonek. Hello.
Hello, hello. Uh...
I have changed my mind.
Here are, uh, photos,
I believe now you
will help them?
[chuckles]
Jan. Petr.
- And... Karel. Karel.
- [Jan] Karel.
When will they go... please?
[Doreen] What did I miss?
Nicky was just saying
we have to assume
that this is happening.
[Doreen] Yeah.
We are moving the children.
In big groups. By train.
[Doreen] That's a two-day trip,
which would mean
crossing Holland
and the Dutch have
shut their borders
to Jewish refugees.
And they'd have
to cross Germany.
Yes, but they'd only
be passing through
and on British visas.
With British foster
parents waiting.
Well, that is, if you can
find British foster parents.
There are a thousand
children on that list.
The welcome may not be as
warm as you're all imagining.
Then we have to heat things up.
We have to get
the press working.
Get them moving and on our side.
Ordinary people
wouldn't stand for this
if they knew what was
actually happening.
You've a lot of faith
in ordinary people.
I do because I'm
an ordinary person.
[Trevor] So am I.
And me.
Well, there you go.
That's just what
we need, isn't it?
An army of the ordinary.
Nicky, you should go
back to London, raise funds.
Raise a stink.
I can do that. No problem.
What about your job in the bank?
Well, stock market
closes at half past three.
And I'll take care of this end.
- With Hana's help?
- Of course.
Oh, God.
We're actually
doing this, aren't we?
[sighs]
Here's to the children's
section of the BCRC.
- [Doreen] There isn't one.
- There is now.
All those in favour.
[exhales]
Nicky, if I may.
- [Nicky] What are you doing?
- [Trevor] Excuse me.
- [Doreen chuckles] My God.
- [Hana chuckles]
- Those your socks?
- [group chuckling]
[Trevor] Look, you'll
need something
for all that paperwork.
Thank you.
[uneasy music playing]
[Nicky] To The
Times' letter section.
Dear sir, I have just
returned from Prague,
where I was assessing the fate
of refugees in the city.
Among the many
unfortunate souls,
I found about 2,000 children
living in damp,
overcrowded camps.
Overcrowded, insanitary camps.
- Yes, true.
- [typewriter keys clacking]
In one of the camps,
several have already
succumbed to disease.
I saw a mother
cradling her dead child.
The thousands
struggling to survive
find themselves facing
the thr*at of n*zi invasion
and the horrors that will bring.
We are working to evacuate
these children by train
to safety in Britain as
a matter of urgency.
Will people please help with
donations or foster homes?
Please contact Mr
Nicholas G Winton,
the British Council for
Refugees in Czechoslovakia,
Children's section.
20 Willow Road, NW Three...
The wanderer returns!
Crikey, Nicky, Hart's
been apoplectic.
Oh, well.
There goes your bonus.
[uneasy music continues]
Mother.
Sorry. Thank you.
I've seen your
letter in the press.
Well, then you
understand the urgency.
The process...
[Nicky] Our first group
consists of 20 children
who are in the most dire need.
They will arrive by train
into Liverpool Street Station
in two weeks' time.
Yes, two weeks, a fortnight.
[Nicky] Which is why we're
asking for your help to...
to accelerate the process.
Applications are
dealt with in turn.
The process takes time.
We don't have time.
The German army could
cross the border any day.
Mr Leadbetter...
these are your children, yes?
- They are.
- There are families
just like this, just like yours,
living in conditions
you cannot imagine.
The thr*at of w*r
hangs over them.
What they have done for you
is to stand against
n*zi expansionism.
All they ask, in return,
is a temporary refuge
for their children.
From whatever
horror is yet to come.
Isn't that the least this
country should offer?
Provided your
paperwork is in order.
[Babi] It is in perfect order.
Then I'll do my best.
Two weeks, where are
we going to find the money?
We'll find it.
[stutters] In two weeks?
- And the foster families?
- I know. We'll do it.
- [Babi] Olga Santer...
- [Nicky] Santer, yes.
- [Babi]... and Petr Slonek.
- [Nicky] Slonek, Petr, yes.
[uneasy music playing]
Right. It's a start.
[Nicky] Jan Slonek, number 174.
Petr Slonek, 144.
Rosa Lenart,
number 529.
- [Babi] Good.
- [Nicky] Tommy Katschinsky,
number nine.
Michael Lappert, 46.
- Landesmann, 19.
- [woman] Next.
[Nicky] Jacob...
[Babi] ...number twenty-four.
[Babi and Nicky
speaking over one another]
I have a family from Shropshire
that will take a
girl, 8 to 11 years,
and Mr and Mrs Horrell
that will take a boy, just one,
but ideally under
eight and brown haired.
- [Nicky] There you go.
- [door bell rings]
Martin. [chuckles]
So sorry I wasn't
with you in Prague.
[Nicky] Not at all.
Anyway, I'm here
now. What can I do?
Well, we've got, uh, 20
children ready to travel
and only eight foster homes.
There's plenty of people
who'd gladly take a child,
but they can't raise the
50 pounds guarantee.
So, that's what we need
most right now. It's money.
Let me make some calls.
Phone?
Come with me. Coffee?
Nicky, five pounds!
Five pounds, 20 pounds
from the Girl Guides and then...
That's 100 in one day!
And then Picture Post
has raised 90 pounds.
[uneasy music continues]
[Nicky] Ready?
We've foster families
for, uh, Marlia Keller,
- uh, Kristina Novotka...
- [Trevor] Mm-hmm.
- The Blaufrank twins.
- Yes.
[Nicky] And Jan and Petr Slonek.
And their brother?
No. No one would take all three.
[Trevor] Goodness.
Tell them it won't be long now.
- We'll be moving them soon.
- Nicky,
it's getting harder here.
Two more people from
Doreen's list have disappeared.
- [grunting]
- [indistinct chatter]
I don't know how long we've got.
[crying]
[speaking Czech]
[child crying]
[sombre music playing]
[Karel whimpers]
[in Czech]
[in English] Come
on, then. Good lads.
There you go, good lads.
All right.
[sombre music continues]
[announcer
speaking indistinctly]
[Doreen] Thank God
you're here. I was worried.
I'm so sorry.
[speaking Czech]
[in English] All right,
all right, all right.
[speaking Czech]
- [in English] Petr Slonek.
- Slonek. Petr and Jan.
Thank you.
- [Hana] 144.
- [Doreen] 144.
So, that's only one
we're missing, now.
- Check them all.
- [speaking Czech]
[in English] This is our train.
[Doreen speaking Czech]
[in English] Hello.
- [Hana] 141.
- [Doreen] 141.
[child speaking Czech]
[indistinct chatter]
[Trevor in English]
Come on, then, let's go.
Come on, come on, let's go.
- [mother] Okay. Okay.
- [child grunts]
- [Trevor] Good girl.
- [whimpers]
[train whistle blows]
[indistinct chatter]
[solemn music playing]
[indistinct shouting]
[announcer] The
train at platform eight
is the 9:25 service to Ipswich.
Calling at Shenfield,
Chelmsford, Witham,
Colchester,
Manningtree and Ipswich.
The train now
arriving at platform one
- is the delayed 8:47...
- [train whistle blows]
international train from Harwich
to London Liverpool Street.
[train chugging]
[uneasy music playing]
[Trevor] Stay... Stay
together, everyone.
Very good.
Trevor! [chuckles] Trevor.
- You made it. Bless you.
- [chuckles] Yes.
Here, let me help you.
This way, this way.
Are you all right?
[indistinct chatter]
[Babi] So, Mr and Mrs
Willou... Willoughby?
[mrs Willoughby] Here.
Nina, Olga. Olga Santer.
And Mr and Mrs Goodfellow.
- [mrs Goodfellow] Yes.
- [mr Goodfellow] Here.
- [Babi] Nina.
- Hello.
[mrs Goodfellow] Good afternoon.
Jan and Petr Slonek.
- Lovely to meet you.
- Petr?
- We'll look after you.
- Hello.
- [Babi] Frank.
- [mr Goodfellow] Come on, boys,
- let's get you home.
- Thank you.
[Babi] Mr and Mrs Harland?
Harland?
[solemn music playing]
[Nicky sighs]
[solemn music continues]
[telephone ringing]
Hi, Nicky.
Oh, hello, Geoff.
You wanna come through?
Yes, thank you.
All right?
Yes, of course I am.
You don't have
to look so nervous.
I can't help it.
Whenever I see you comin',
I know it's gonna
cost me a fortune.
Oh, all in a good cause.
So, which is it this time?
Samaritans? MENCAP? Abbeyfield?
Oh, something
new. Or rather, old.
Take a seat, Nicky.
Yes. Thank you.
It's about, uh, documents
from the Second World w*r
- rather relevant for today.
- The w*r?
- Yes.
- Oh, it's exciting.
It's the, uh, 50th anniversary
of the outbreak coming up.
Yes, I suppose it must be.
Yeah, we're planning a
series of special editions.
- Oh.
- Where did you serve?
Army, Navy?
Oh, well, that's neither
here nor there, is it?
Yeah, I bet you
got some stories.
[Nicky chuckles]
It's really not about me.
It's actually very
important. It's, uh,
about refugees.
Refugees?
Yeah.
I'm not really seeing
the Maidenhead
angle in refugees.
[grunts, sighs]
[engine starts]
[upbeat music playing over TV]
We wanna be famous
We wanna be on TV
Famous, famous Famous, famous
[audience laughing]
[bouncy music playing]
[audience laughing]
- [joyful music playing]
- [audience applauding]
[TV turns off]
[phone line ringing]
- [man over telephone] Hello?
- Hello. [chuckles]
Guess who this is?
- Oh, good afternoon.
- [hostess] Good afternoon.
I'm meeting Mr Martin Blake.
Thank you.
- Oh, certainly.
- Thank you.
If you'd like to follow me?
Yes. Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
Hello, Martin. Thank
you. How are you?
- Nicky.
- Good to see you.
So, you're footloose
for a couple of days?
Yes. Looks like it, doesn't it?
[Martin] Time to
catch up. I'm glad.
Yeah, it's not much
time, I'm afraid,
because, um, I've been
given my to-do list, you know?
Grete's reorganising everything
- before the baby arrives.
- Oh, yes!
A grandfather. You excited?
- No, I'm bloody terrified.
- [laughs] Why?
- I don't know.
- It'll be fun, I'm sure.
Oh, really? If you say so.
Uh, anyway, at the
moment, we're just, um,
throwing out a lot of old
stuff, you know? And, uh...
- Piles up.
- Yes, it does. Yeah.
You have to be ruthless.
- I know.
- Yeah. Box files and,
uh, records of all the old
charity work, you know?
You've always been so busy.
Oh, yeah. [chuckles]
Do you still volunteer
with the Samaritans?
No, no. They kicked me out.
[Martin] What?
What on earth for?
[chuckles] A woman, uh, phoned
in and told me she was, um...
planning on k*lling herself.
I said, "Oh, dear me, there
must be something else
- "you'd rather be doing."
- [chuckles] You didn't.
[Nicky] Yes, I did.
She told me that
she wanted to visit
her daughter in America.
But her doctor warned
her that the journey
would probably k*ll her.
I said, "Well, that's exactly
what you want, isn't it?
- "To be k*lled?"
- [laughing]
Yeah, well, she
had a good laugh.
We both had a good laugh.
She went off to America.
She saw her daughter.
Had a wonderful time. Came back,
- was happy as a lark.
- Oh.
But, uh, ooh, the Samaritans.
Oh, God bless them.
They gave me a real bollocking,
pardon my French,
and, uh, told me I'd
broken all the rules.
Well, you know, I couldn't
just sit there, could I?
I mean, you're listening
to a bunch of lonely people
when there was something
I could actually say
to help cheer them up.
[both chuckle]
You might wanna
slow down anyway.
What, with the baby coming.
Why would I want to slow down?
[Martin] Oh, to enjoy it.
You've done enough.
No. It's never enough, is it?
Did you, uh, need more
time with the wine list?
[Martin] Oh, yes, um...
They have nice Chteau Neuf.
[chuckles]
We'll have the Chablis.
- Oh, dear. [chuckles]
- [Martin] Thank you.
Where were we, now? Oh, yes.
When I was clearing
out all the papers,
I came across that old,
uh, scrapbook from Prague.
- Do you remember that?
- I do.
Yes, you're not
throwing that out.
No, I think it could be quite
an important little
record, in its way.
You know, full of history
we should learn from.
- It is.
- Yeah.
Look, maybe the, um,
the Wiener archive
might like it. In London.
[Nicky] Yeah?
I know people on the
board, I could mention it.
Yeah, well, it'll probably
just gather dust there.
I mean, I tried
showing it to the Editor
of the Maidenhead
newspaper, what's it called?
The Advertiser or something.
And, um, it's funny
because when I told him
about the refugees, he said,
"I don't quite get the
Maidenhead angle."
[Martin chuckles]
So, uh, he's a
bit of a twit, really.
Well, you might like to
donate it to a museum.
In Prague? Or in Israel?
Most of the children
were Jewish, after all.
Prague.
[speaking Hebrew]
[in English] Well... Yeah.
Tell me something...
Do you ever think
about the children
and what happened to them?
[Martin] Yes, yes, I
do. From time to time.
Do you?
No, not really.
Well, maybe a little, recently.
It is incredible.
What you achieved.
Oh, I don't think
of it that way.
[Martin] No, no,
no, no, I mean it.
Truly.
I mean, you should be proud.
- Well.
- Save one life,
save the world. You know?
Well, it's nothing
to brag about.
I mean, look at
Doreen and, uh, Trevor.
They did far more than I did
and they took all the risks.
And they actually
stayed in Prague.
You know, Nicky, telling
people isn't bragging.
No. [chuckles]
[sombre music playing]
[telephone ringing]
Hampstead, 7946.
The Germans crossed
the frontier this morning.
They've already taken over
- the ministry.
- Oh, God.
[Doreen] h*tler's motorcade
just went past the hotel.
He was waving.
[officer speaking
German over speakers]
[in English] What does
this mean? For us?
I have to go. We need
to check safe houses.
- Just be careful.
- [phone line disconnects]
Doreen? Doree...
[panting]
It's not safe for them here.
Please, get them home.
Just make sure all
the lists are locked up.
[officer speaking
German over speakers]
[indistinct chatter]
[radio distortion]
[man over radio, in english]
Downing Street has advised
that this development does
not mean that Germany is at w*r.
The Germans are
understood to have taken
an administrative
position in Czechoslovakia,
replacing the
government in Prague.
Flights from Prague...
What happens now?
[Nicky] We work harder.
Instead of standing here
wringing our hands in despair.
We need more trains.
We do whatever it takes
to make that happen.
We find more homes.
We place the children faster.
We're doing as much as we can.
It's not enough, though, is it?
Look, we cannot...
we cannot let these people down.
[Trevor] Well, they tell us
the borders are still open.
The thing is now every
visa has to be approved
and stamped by the Gestapo.
The bastards are all over
bloody everything now.
[uneasy music playing]
- [reporter] Mr Winton?
- [Nicky] Oh, yeah. Oh, hello.
The New Statesman.
Oh, hi.
Uh, shall we speak as we go?
Uh, yes, please.
[reporter] I don't
think I can recall
ever seeing anything
quite so moving.
How many are there? There
must be, uh, nearly a hundred.
Uh, yes, yes. Well
over a hundred.
Hello. Uh, and this is our
largest transport so far.
[reporter] And this
is your fourth train.
Are there more planned?
[Nicky] Yes, absolutely.
The fifth train's only
a few weeks away
with more trains already booked.
The eighth is confirmed,
and the ninth's in preparation
and, um, hundreds of
children ready to board,
but there are thousands
more who need our help
all over Czechoslovakia.
And these are children who
are homeless, they're starving.
And we don't know how long
the border will remain open.
So, we do desperately need
donations and foster homes.
[telephone ringing]
- Hello?
- [Doreen] Nicky.
Nicky, it's me.
Um, look, we have one or
two missing from the next list.
- Missing?
- [Doreen] Yes, I don't know.
Either they panicked
or... or they were arrested.
Uh, right. Well, um, you'd
better give me their names.
[Babi] This one, ah.
That's her. Lenka Weiss.
There was a baby, too.
Damn.
Nicky,
you must know we
cannot save them all.
You have to
forgive yourself that.
[indistinct chatter]
If you want Leadbetter,
he's on his hols.
Week in Eastbourne,
shame about the rain.
Look, I urgently
need three visas
for a transport leaving
Prague next week.
Sorry. Can't help you there.
[telephone ringing]
- Trevor.
- Is everything all right?
[sighs] Listen, we're
three visas short,
Isabel Keller and Eva
and Vera Diamantova.
Is there anything you can do?
[uneasy music playing]
[Doreen] I don't know
what you're doing.
But if you're doing
what I think you're doing,
I don't want to know.
Train leaves at eight.
[drawer closes]
[tense music playing]
[panting]
[panting]
[indistinct chatter]
- [in English] Where is he?
- I don't know.
He should have been
here an hour ago.
[man speaking Czech]
[tense music continues]
- Do you have them?
- Yes.
We have them. [sighs]
[announcer speaking
Czech over speakers]
[whistle blows]
[woman speaking Czech]
[mother speaking Czech]
[solemn music playing]
[train whistle blows]
[woman speaking Czech]
[group speaking Czech]
[sighs]
[solemn music continues]
- They've left Prague.
- [gasps]
[sighs]
[train brakes squealing]
[announcer
speaking indistinctly]
[soldiers speaking german]
[soldiers banging on doors]
[soldier speaking German]
[Trevor in English] Yes.
[soldier speaking German]
[ominous music playing]
[soldiers chuckling]
[in English] Why does
England want all these Jews?
[announcer
speaking indistinctly]
[soldier speaking german]
[children crying]
[Babi] Miss Howson
from Putney, please.
Diamantova, Eva.
[woman] Um, along
here, please. Uh, yes, sir.
Thank you, Mrs MacFarlane.
Mrs MacFarlane?
Hello.
[Babi] Thank you.
There they are.
Thank you. Uh, Diamantova, Vera.
[woman] Lovely to meet you.
Mrs Rainford.
[mrs Rainford] Yes.
Sorry, excuse me.
Hello, dear.
- Hello.
- [Babi] Thank you.
[mrs Rainford] Come along.
Are you hungry?
Someone needs
to tell these people
that they've only got
the children temporarily.
They've all got
families to return to.
Our most urgent cases yet.
They're booked on
a train, the ninth train,
in three days' time.
Please, Leadbetter.
We'll do it. Of course.
Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
[bell tolling]
[telephone ringing]
Hello?
[bell tolling continues]
[newsreader over radio]
Today's main event.
Germany has invaded Poland
and has bombed many towns.
General mobilisation has been
ordered in Britain and France.
Parliament was summoned
for six o'clock this evening.
The mobilisation of the
navy, army and the air force...
[mr Hart] Winton, where're
you going? Winton?
There's nothing you
can do for them now.
Winton!
[suspenseful music playing]
[Nicky] Excuse me. Excuse me.
- Excuse me.
- [rail worker] Stop pushing.
Look, listen, what's happening
to the international trains?
I don't know any
more than you do.
There's a train due
to leave from Prague.
You need to go
to the station now.
I am staying to help.
No, no.
If they catch you, I can't
protect you. Go, now!
[suspenseful music continues]
[announcer speaking Czech]
[man speaking Czech]
[in English] Trevor.
Are you all right?
[Hana] Yes, I am.
I'm... I'm going to
go back to Doreen.
- Should I...
- You should leave now.
You have your papers.
Go with the children.
See you in London.
[Trevor] Be careful.
You too. Bye.
[train whistle blows]
[rail worker blows whistle]
[speaking Czech]
[whistle blows]
[sombre music playing]
[car door closes]
- [Nicky in English] Hello.
- [Grete] Hello, darling.
[chuckles] Welcome back.
- [Grete] Ah. Mm.
- [Nicky chuckles]
[taxi driver] Here you go.
[Grete sighs]
[Grete sighs] Goodness.
Come and see this.
Big surprise.
Well...
[sighs] You have got a lot done.
Yeah. Do you want a cup of tea?
[chuckles]
[Nicky whistles]
[answering machine beeps]
[man over machine]
Hello, Mr Winton.
This is Karl Caplan
at the Weiner Library.
Uh, Martin Blake
- gave us your details.
- [Nicky] Oh.
We have a researcher
who we think
might find your
archives very interesting.
So, if you can, please call
us back on 01-636-7247.
We look forward to hearing
from you. Many thanks.
[machine beeps]
Um, I just mentioned
it in passing.
- [Grete] Hmm.
- But, uh,
Martin, uh, he got
straight onto them.
And, uh... You know...
But I don't want it
to go into a library.
Why not?
Oh, well, it won't
teach anyone anything
stuck on the shelf.
[chuckles lightly]
[chuckles]
Then call them.
Talk to them.
Yes. Well, I'm very grateful.
[woman over telephone] Well,
we look forward to seeing you.
Thank you.
- [Nicky sighs]
- Tell me.
Well, there's this woman who
wants to see the scrapbook.
She's a historian,
married to some... a
man from Czechoslovakia.
His name is Robert Maxwell.
The newspaper man?
Yes, that's right and, uh,
she's running some
kind of a conference
and she wants to meet me.
Elizabeth Maxwell,
she calls herself Betty.
She's French, apparently.
[chuckles]
[gentle music playing]
[doorbell ringing]
I'm Nicholas Winton.
Good afternoon. We've
been expecting you.
[Betty speaking
French distantly]
[in English] Oh. Oh,
thank you so much
for coming all this way.
Here it is. The scrapbook.
Um, relates back
to some time I spent in
Prague before the w*r.
It's a little heavy, I'm afraid.
[Betty grunts softly]
Yeah.
Now, a lot of that stuff
is just touristy stuff.
Postcards and
so on and so forth.
And, uh... Yes, there
are all... That's it.
There're some letters
relating to the
transport of children,
- uh, to Britain.
- Ah.
[Betty] These are the
eight children you saved?
[Nicky] No, no. It was
a few more than that.
If you turn the
pages, you can see.
I sent out those
cards, uh for people to,
uh, choose, you know?
And, [chuckles] I must
say it was a bit like, um,
it was bit like
selling soap powder,
if you know what I mean.
I couldn't for the life of
me think how else I could,
uh, find enough families
to take in so many kids.
Uh, forgive me but
how many children
are we speaking about?
Oh. Uh... [chuckles] 669.
We successfully placed.
You... You... You
brought 669 children
from Prague to England?
Well, I mean with my colleagues
Doreen Warriner,
Trevor Chadwick,
and Hana and um...
But there were so many other
people involved, you know,
and my own mother.
She was a great help.
And I suppose... [chuckles]
I suppose I'm the
only one left, now.
At least I think I am.
Uh, the children
that are crossed out
are the ones we found homes for.
[Betty] And the faces
that are not crossed out?
Ah, well, they were
the less fortunate
and, uh, it was a
lottery, I'm afraid.
You wrote to the president
of the United States?
[laughs] Fat lot of good he was.
[chuckles] I never
heard back from him.
Yeah, it's
disappointing, I must say.
Oh, yes, now, these, uh...
Those there are the
names of the children
and their new addresses.
Excuse me, Mr Winton.
This is not exactly
what I was expecting.
I'm a little taken aback
at the scale of your operation.
Oh. Oh, you know,
if we'd had more
money, more time
and more government support
we could've done
a lot more, I think.
[Betty] Blank pages?
Yeah. That was the last train.
[Betty] Something
happened to the last train?
Yes, it was the ninth train.
It was our largest group
of 250 children and uh...
It was the 1st of
September, 1939.
The same day that
h*tler invaded Poland.
The very start of the w*r.
[speaking Czech]
[whistle blows]
[Gestapo officers
speaking German]
[foreboding music playing]
[indistinct shouting]
[children screaming]
[shouting continues]
[child crying]
[shouting continues]
[Trevor in English] Hana.
[Hana] Trevor! [cries]
[yelling] Hana!
Hana!
[child speaking Czech]
[in English] That
was the end of that.
Bloody h*tler,
that's all I can say.
We had hundreds of
foster families waiting,
ready to welcome them, but...
yeah.
[knocking on door]
[Betty speaking French]
[assistant speaking French]
[Betty] Merci.
[sighs]
[in English] Take milk?
Uh, no, thank you.
Thank you.
That's wonderful. Thank you.
I'm sorry.
Must be very difficult for you
knowing what happened
to those children.
Well, I don't know
what happened, do I?
They were taken off the train,
returned to their
families and...
that was the end of that.
Surely, I'm almost certain
that they perished in the camps?
Hmm.
[Nicky breathes deeply]
[birds chirping]
[chiming]
Well, you may be right about
those children, Mrs Maxwell.
But I've learned to keep
my imagination in check.
Uh, so I can still be of use
and not go raving mad.
[clicks tongue, chuckles]
Mr Winton,
around 15,000 children
went into concentration
camps in Czechoslovakia
and, uh, less than
200 of them survived,
and you saved 669.
Oh. [chuckles]
Ah.
Anyway, I'd best,
uh, I'd better be going
because my wife is
expecting me and I don't want...
I don't want to get
into any trouble,
if you know what I mean.
I would like very much
to hold on to your
scrapbook, if I may.
- Well, all right.
- And...
with your permission, I would
like to show it to my husband.
I'm sure he will consider
it a very important story.
Oh. Well, thank you.
- [laughs]
- Thank you. [chuckles]
[Grete] As many
of you will know,
our group was founded in 1965
to encourage friendship
between Maidenhead
and its twin towns
across Europe.
We were met at the
airport by Maria Bechtler
and travelled by coach
to Bad Godesberg,
where we were given a warm...
All right?
Where we were given
a warm Willkommen...
- [group chuckles]
- by our hostesses.
[gentle music playing]
[Grete] Thank you,
darling. Don't trip, it's heavy.
[Nicky] Hey, Steve.
Don't strain yourself, will you?
- [Steve] Here. Let me.
- Give me a hand.
Oh, God.
I can't get over
all the space, Dad.
Hey, you could fit
in a playpen in here.
[Nicky] Oh, no.
- [group chuckles]
- It looks lovely, doesn't it?
- Doesn't it?
- Yeah. Doesn't it, Dad?
- Yes.
- [Grete sighs]
Don't set it on fire.
[chuckles] Nicky!
Well, you did last
year, didn't you?
- [chuckles] I did not.
- Yes, you did
- and the year before that.
- No.
He loves to tease, doesn't he?
- Huh?
- Oh, it looks lovely.
Some of them new, aren't they?
- Well, merry Christmas.
- [Barbara] Merry Christmas.
- [Grete] Merry Christmas.
- [Nicky] Cheers.
It's for you.
Oh.
Oh, this is interesting.
What is it?
It's from the Editor
of the Sunday Mirror.
"We would very much like
to publish a major article
"detailing the
child evacuation."
But... That's marvellous.
[Nicky] Oh, yes. It says,
"With wider publicity in mind,
"I have been talking
"to the BBC Television
programme That's Life!"
Surely not.
Yes, they want
me to go in and, uh,
check the historical accuracy.
[Grete] But that's
such a silly show.
- What?
- That's Life!
It's a very silly show.
It is.
Well, it's very
popular, isn't it?
I mean, a lot of
people watch it.
Should I come with you?
Why would you
want to come with me
if you think it's so silly?
[snorts]
[Nicky] Oh.
Hello. Hi, Mr Winton, such
a pleasure to meet you.
Just gonna take
you through here.
- Yes.
- [woman] This way.
What exactly am I to do?
Oh, they're going
to explain all that.
- Oh.
- It's just through here.
All right.
Thank you.
Thanks.
[indistinct chatter]
[man 1] Camera six.
[man 2] Can you come
from the other side?
Thank you.
[man 3] Thirty
seconds to on air.
Okay, and you are just here.
- Couldn't I sit farther back?
- I'm afraid not.
Oh, I'd rather be backstage.
I'm... I'm really, really sorry.
It's just they told
me to put you here
and we're running out of time.
All right.
[theme song playing]
[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]
[mouthing] Who's that?
[theme song continues]
Hello. Good evening.
[audience laughing over TV]
And would you want to
be treated by this dentist
in Bath who goes by
the name Mr F Illing?
[audience laughing]
Esther.
Now, an extraordinary
story has come to light
about a young man who,
many years ago, visited Prague,
and what he found there
was a terrible situation.
Thousands of refugees stranded,
living in desperate conditions,
and at the mercy of
h*tler's imminent invasion.
This young man, whose
name was Nicholas Winton,
decided that something
had to be done.
And so he managed
to rescue 669 children.
This is his scrapbook.
All sorts of fascinating
photographs.
Perhaps you can see...
Here's a photograph of
Nicholas Winton himself,
with one of the
children he rescued.
But at the very back, is a list
of all the children
that he rescued.
Here is Vera Diamantova,
now Vera Gissing.
We found her name on his list.
And Vera is here with
us tonight. Hello, Vera.
- Hello.
- [Esther] Now, I should tell
you that you are,
in fact, sitting next
to Mr Nicholas Winton.
Hello.
- [chuckles]
- Hello.
[sniffles]
Thank you.
[audience applauding]
[Vera] I was reunited
with my sister
a few years later.
[Nicky] And your parents?
My father was
tortured, in Terezin.
[Nicky] Mm-hmm.
And then sent to Auschwitz.
And then on to
another labour camp.
Ah.
A fellow prisoner told me
he thought he'd been
sh*t on the Death March.
Hmm.
My mother, um, d*ed of typhus.
- [Nicky] So sorry.
- Contracted at Belsen.
But she knew that we were safe.
For a mother,
that is everything.
[chuckles]
And, um, my cousins,
Honza and Tommy
were on the last train.
Yeah.
[Vera] Though I never
saw them again, of course.
[Vera breathing shakily]
[keyboard keys clacking]
[car approaching]
[sighs]
[car door closes]
[car driving away]
Nicky.
[whispering] Nicky.
[sobbing quietly]
[crying]
[Nicky] I'm sorry.
[sobbing]
I'm sorry. Very sorry.
Don't.
[doorbell rings]
I'll get it.
Nicky! You've not
called me back.
I left messages!
Doesn't it follow that I
don't want to talk to you?
Oh, come on, come
on, let me do a piece.
No, thanks.
Come on. It's such a
brilliant story, Nicky.
You're a hero.
Nicky, please. Please.
- [Grete] What...
- [Nicky] It's not about me.
- [telephone ringing]
- Nicky, come on,
give me a chance.
Maidenhead, 3310.
[woman] Hello, is Mister
Winton there, please?
No, he's not available.
Can I ask who's calling?
This is Katinka
Blackford from That's Life!
Oh. Oh, I see.
[Nicky] Two more children, huh?
They... They phoned
in after last week's show.
[Nicky] Yeah.
[clicks tongue] They so
desperately want to meet you.
[Nicky chuckles]
You don't have to do it.
Don't I?
I asked them to send
the children's details to us.
I won't have you ambushed again.
[chuckles]
[Grete] Milena...
Well, goodness. This girl's
done very well for herself.
[Nicky chuckles] Yeah.
[Grete] Milena is now
Lady Grenfell Baines.
Oh.
[chuckles] All right.
[printer beeps]
- Who's that?
- [Nicky] Hanus.
Perhaps it's too much.
Perhaps you've done enough.
No, I...
I started the whole thing, so...
I have to finish it.
Last week was incredible
for us here at That's Life!
We told a story that touched
the hearts of so many people.
We've been overwhelmed
by the response.
One of the people who
was very affected last week
is with us here tonight.
Milena Fleischmann,
now Lady Grenfell Baines,
was also one of the children
that Nicholas Winton rescued.
Milena, I understand
you still have the name tag
that you wore around your neck
when you arrived
here as a little girl.
Yes, I wore this around my neck
and this is the actual pass
we were given to
come to England.
So, I am one of the
children that you saved.
[Esther] Now, Mr Winton,
having introduced you to Milena,
there's somebody else that
we'd like to tell you about.
Hanus Schnabel was only
11 when he came over here.
We have his passport
with all the
official stamps in it.
I don't know
whether you can see,
but this is how he got here.
And he told us...
[Gavin] "I don't know how
my rescue was arranged.
"I had no idea when I left
my parents at Prague station
"that I would never
see them again.
"My older brother
Franta was supposed
"to come here by
train in September,
"but w*r broke out and I
never saw him again either.
"I hoped all through the
w*r that they would survive,
"but they were gassed
in a concentration camp.
"I've often wondered
who was responsible
"for organising my rescue.
"I would dearly love to meet him
"and thank him for
helping us children
"without any hope
of acknowledgement."
Hanus' name is
on Mr Winton's list.
And Hanus is
here with us tonight.
Oh. [chuckles]
[whispering] Thank you.
[Esther] Now, I don't
want to rush you.
I know you've waited a
long time for this moment,
but you'll be able
to talk to Hanus later.
However, our
evening isn't quite over.
[sniffles]
Can I ask, is there anyone
in the audience tonight
who owes their life
to Nicholas Winton?
[indistinct chatter]
If so, could you
stand up, please?
Mr Winton, would
you like to turn around?
[captivating music playing]
You can meet all of these people
properly after the programme.
In the meantime, Mr Winton,
on behalf of all of them,
thank you very much indeed.
[applauding]
[captivating music continues]
[sniffles]
[captivating music continues]
[captivating music continues]
[birds chirping]
[squeaking]
[opera music playing
over speakers]
[indistinct chatter]
[baby cooing]
See Grandpa?
[doorbell rings]
[indistinct chatter]
- Hello. Hello, Vera. Come in.
- Oh, Nicky.
- Hello.
- [laughter]
- Good, go through. Hello.
- Hi.
- [Nicky] What's your name?
- [Nicola] Hi,
- I'm Vera's daughter.
- [Nicky] Hello.
- [Nicola] Nice to meet you.
- [Nicky] Hello. Come through.
[chuckles] This is so beautiful.
Oh, this is Nicola.
- Oh, hello. Hello.
- My daughter.
And this is Rebecca,
my little grandchild.
- Wow. Hello.
- [Nicola] Say, "Hello."
Hi. So, you do have a pool.
We do have a pool.
[indistinct chatter]
Nicky, turn the music
down a little bit, darling.
[opera music continues]
Hello, young man. Hello.
[Barbara] Right,
be careful, though.
Not too fast.
Oh, it's beautiful, isn't it?
Oh, my goodness.
[Grete] Darling, you
must be really careful here.
Oh, you have a
lovely pool, Nicky.
Yeah. I like to swim.
- You remember?
- Mm.
[Grete] You all got
towels? Yes, yes, yes, yes.
- [Rebecca] Can we go in?
- [Grete] Yes!
What's the temperature like?
It's all right if
you're a penguin.
[Vera chuckles]
[Vera] Let's have
a little go, shall we?
- Oh. Gotcha!
- [Nicky chuckles]
Oh! [chuckles]
- [Nicky chuckles]
- Isn't that lovely.
[captivating music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughter]
[gentle music playing]
[sombre music playing]
[solemn music playing]
[uneasy music playing]
One Life (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3
Biographies Movie Collection