Quick Summary
Months before the outbreak of the Second World War, a London stockbroker undertakes a daring courageous humanitarian effort to rescue children from Nazi‑occupied Czechoslovakia. This fact‑based drama, set against the impending conflict, stars Anthony Hopkins in the prominent lead role.
About This Program ✦
One Life is a programme presented in a cinematic style, classed as a movie‑type drama. It falls within the broader genre of film‑based storytelling, offering viewers a narrative that is rooted in historical circumstance. Set just months before the outbreak of the Second World War, the story follows a London stockbroker who becomes determined to save a group of children from the dangers of Nazi‑occupied Czechoslovakia. The protagonist’s efforts centre on organising a rescue that takes him from the financial districts of England to the occupied territories of Central Europe, highlighting the urgency of the period and the personal risks involved. The production is described as a fact‑based drama, meaning it draws on real events to shape its storyline. By focusing on a single individual’s mission to protect innocent lives, the programme underscores the human dimension of the pre‑war climate. Its classification as a drama indicates that, while grounded in factual material, the narrative is delivered with the emotional weight typical of the genre.
One Life broadcasts on BBC Two Northern Ireland HD at 9:00pm, Monday, 26 January 2026. (Subtitles)


