Nicky's Family - Documentary

I have been waiting to see this documentary for some time. Sir Nicholas Winton, known to some as 'The British Schindler', saved over 600 children from Nazi persecution in the years leading up to and during, the Second World War. He spent time at home in London and in Czechoslovakia compiling documents containing the names and photographs of these children and raising funds, in order to find them families in Britain who were willing to take them in, giving them the right to travel across Europe, to safe territory.

Kindertransport (www.ccj.ork.uk)

The documentary itself, is exemplary. Perhaps because we know it is a remarkable true story, or perhaps it was because I was sat among a full audience of people who live within minutes of Winton's Maidenhead residence. Whatever the reason I felt so touched, is truly testament to a brilliant man and his story.

Nicholas Winton (www.radio.cz)

The documentary follows Winton's life from his occupation as a stock-broker, about to embark on a ski-ing holiday in Switzerland when the phone rings. It is his ski pal, letting him know that he can no longer meet with him. Instead, he must go to Czechoslovakia to help those in need. With that, Winton changes his destination to Czechoslovakia. Here, his operation begins. He writes letters to foreign ministers, embassies, MPs, prime ministers, presidents and others in power to take pity on the Jewish children of Czechoslovakia and offer them sanctuary. At first, all refuse. Palestine, France, America - they have all closed their borders.

Finally, Winton manages to send 25 children on a plane to safety in Switzerland. This was the beginning. Britain then opened its doors and Winton steps up the pace. Over the years that followed he aided over 600 Jewish children in their escape from Nazi persecution.

With the arrival of the Second World War, Winton joined the RAF and continued his life as if nothing of consequence had taken place. It was not until 2008, when winton's wife found a scrapbook in their attic, containing all of the photos and documents of the children, that Winton shared the story of what he had done.

Here comes the part that gets me. After all his efforts, Winton was convinced it was 'just something I did', anyone would have done it. The point is, that they didn't. It seems Nicholas Winton's wife understood the true value of his efforts to save these children and sent the scrapbook to TV show 'That's Life' in 2008. The video below moved me in ways I cannot explain:


The children that Nicholas Winton saved have gone on to have families of their own. There are now over 5700 within what they call themselves, Nicky's family. It is incredibly moving to know that mothers and fathers, broke their own hearts with the immensely brave act of parting with their children, in the hope of a better future. There is a short clip, of a survivor surrounded by his family who describes that the rest of his family, perished within the gas chambers. He shares the realisation that, it would not have been until that point, at the time that mothers and fathers walked to their deaths, that they would truly realise the significance of the act they had done. They had sent their children away and that meant, that their children survived. It is the most heart-breaking yet, inspirational act that I can imagine.

There may have been some conflicting aspect ratios, as is the norm when dealing with archive reels, and some rather blue and red looking archive footage but the content is so good you forget to notice it beyond the first clip. The story so powerful - that you are fighting more to hold back tears than criticism at minor details.

The documentary closes with a premiere performance in Czechoslovakia dedicated to Nicholas Winton and 'The Winton Programme' that encourages people across the world, to help those who cannot help themselves. It has seen aid spread to Cambodia, to China, to the elderly, to the disabled and further. Nicholas Winton is now 104yrs old and still actively helping others, particularly within the elderly home he set up in hometown Maidenhead. He may be getting on in terms of age, but his legacy of helping others, is something that will be young for a very long time.

'If it is not obviously impossible - then there must be a way of doing it'
Nicholas Winton

If you do get the chance to see this fantastically inspiring documentary, then please do. We are not just an audience, we are part of the story. He passes the baton, to us.