One Life details the incredible story of Sir Nicholas Winton who helped save 669 children from central Europe during World War Two and while the British humanitarian tragically died in 2015, much of his family appeared at the film’s London premiere.
Among the countless faces on the red carpet were Henry Warriner and his wife, the nephew of Doreen Warriner who alongside Trevor Chadwick helped Sir Nicholas compile the lists of children and travelled with them on the Kindertransport trains to the UK.
Speaking to Daily Express, Henry chuckled as he noted he’d never imagined being on a red carpet and lamented that due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes at the time he wasn’t able to meet the cast, more specifically BBC star Romola Garai who plays his aunt in the new film.
He explained: “It was my aunt Doreen Warriner who features in the beginning of the film, so I would love to know how they worked out how to play her because I knew her very well.”
When the couple first heard about One Life’s production they were incredibly concerned about how Doreen would be portrayed, adding: “I think we’re the last two who remember her.”
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Henry revealed he had been in touch with the film company for years during filming but admitted: “We didn’t know if she was going to be Nicholas Winters’ mistress or a Nazi spy or what.
“I think it’s actually very very kind and portrays her as she was.”
As for Sir Nicholas, portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins, his son Nick is still in awe of the impeccable casting, telling Express: “The way he captures my father’s mannerisms, it’s uncanny.
“I was in tears: ‘That’s him! He’s there!’ I know that Sir Anthony did a lot of work in preparing, looking at footage of my father and how he behaved, boy has he got it to a tee! It’s just astonishing.”
Nick, much like his father, doesn’t quite like having the spotlight on him and was rather looking forward to seeing what impact the Hollywood film will have on the big screen but admitted the project didn’t come without some qualms.
He shared: “One of the things that I struggle with a little is that Pa is recognized for saving 669 children in 1939…
“He lived for 106 years and that was nine months in a part-time project after he finished work. He did so many other things and this story just touches on the fact that he also made a big difference on lots of other ways.”
When asked about the pressure of living up to his father’s legacy, Nick casually chuckled and declared: “I’m still working out what I want to do when I grow up.”
Also on the packed carpet were a number of people who were saved by Sir Nicholas’ actions, including sisters Eva and Milena Paddock the latter of whom wore the very same tag she was given on the train.
Milena was nine when she boarded the train to Liverpool Street and can still remember being worried about her three-year-old sister who was “completely traumatized” and “never spoke” throughout the journey.
Eva, who is now an educator, hopes One Life will be “added to educational materials” in schools and highlighted that it shouldn’t be restricted to lessons about the holocaust.
She shared: “It will allow teachers to talk about things like altruism and taking a lead when you see something wrong.
“Kids have bullying experiences, it doesn’t need to be directly connected, but they can understand they need to make an effort when something needs to be done.”
One Life releases in cinemas today, January 1.
