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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment

In defence of One Life, the story of Nicholas Winton

One Life looks back on Nicholas Winton’s efforts to help Jewish children in German-occupied Czechoslovakia to escape.
One Life looks back on Nicholas Winton’s efforts to help Jewish children in German-occupied Czechoslovakia to escape. Photograph: Peter Mountain/See-Saw Films

In response to Matthew Reisz’s article (Nicholas Winton saved my father from the Nazis – here’s how One Life betrays him, 1 January), I am also a child of one of Nicky’s children: my mother was Vera Gissing; she is featured in the film both as a child and later when she meets Nicky.

This is a biographical drama not a documentary, and I think James Hawes (the director of One Life) has got it just right. He could have shown more of the impact meeting Nicky had on his children’s lives, but he did this with a “less is more” approach. The film ends with Nicky and my mother walking along, arms round each other. They became great friends and this simple scene said it all and meant everything to me.
Nicola Gissing
Bristol

• Last night I watched the new film about Nicholas Winton and the children he helped to save as the Nazis marched into Prague. Towards the end of the film, he is shown receiving a knighthood from the Queen “for services to humanity”.

Watching this, I wondered how it was even possible for similar honours to be awarded in the resignation list of failed prime minister Liz Truss to individuals on the basis of their support for the Conservative party.

I wonder how many others will think the same when they too watch the film?
Prof Pete Wall
Caerleon, Newport

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.

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