One Life

The film is the true story of hundreds of young refugees, many Jewish, being saved from Nazi persecution in the outbreak of World War II. The story is told from the perspective of a White male, Nicholas Winton, and leans into something of a White saviour narrative, although Winton claims to also have Jewish grandparents. His motives are also questioned by a Jewish man, which feels like the filmmaker's way of acknowledging this potential criticism. There are no characters of color apart from a Black reporter only seen in the background. Female characters are given more agency, with a number showing courage and being integral in the rescue missions. A young child is seen with a large birthmark on their face that goes without mention and helps normalize such representation on-screen. The antisemitism shown by the Nazis (and others) lingers throughout. An elderly man who, for the large part, is shown to be stoic and unwilling to show emotion, eventually breaks down displaying a vulnerability not always shown in movies.

Much of the the horrors of WWI play off-screen. But the imminent threat and fear of those being persecuted is prominent throughout. Families are torn apart in desperate bids to survive and are seen living in poor conditions in refugee camps. There is a depiction of an abandoned baby and reference to children and parents being beaten and going missing, feared dead. Suicide reference. An intense scene involves a train being hijacked by Nazis -- people, including children are forcibly pulled off the train. Antisemitic behavior displayed and references to Auschwitz and other concentration camps.

Some use of "bollocking," "s--t," "damn," "twit," "crikey," and "bloody." Also "God's sake" and "Christ" used as exclamations. Antisemitic remarks such as a note saying "Refujews go home" and two Nazis saying "Why would England want all these Jews?"

Characters are seen smoking. There is also some drinking including four people doing shots a at a bar. But no drunkenness is depicted. An elderly character is seen drinking at home alone.