If You Liked “One Life,” You’ll Love These 10 Uplifting World War II Dramas

One Life introduces us to Nicholas Winton (Sir Anthony Hopkins), an old man sorting through old stacks of paperwork in his home office. As Winton organizes his records, we see him through flashbacks as a younger man (Johnny Flynn), an ordinary stockbroker with a huge heart. Haunted by the image of children suffering in camps in recently invaded Prague, Winton decides to begin the impossible task of acquiring visas for the children to be placed in safe homes in England before the German invasion is complete.

Based on a true story of heroism during the war, One Life is a showcase of British acting talent that tells its inspiring story without becoming overly sentimental. But this kind of film isn’t just for Anglophiles – inspiring World War II stories of heroism have proven to have an enduring appeal. Faced with some of the darkest moments in history, figures like Nicholas Winton chose to do what was right instead of what was easy, and their stories remind us that even the most ordinary people can change history through simple acts of courage. 

Looking for more inspiring stories like Sir Nicholas Winton’s? Here are more uplifting World War II dramas to check out.

La Vita é Bella (Life Is Beautiful)

Charming bookseller Guido meets and wins the heart of the beautiful Dora, oblivious to the looming threats of a world at war. Guido is Jewish, and the charmed life he builds with Dora faces increasing outside prejudice. After their family is imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido must use his incredible imagination to keep his young son Giosuè innocent and alive until the war is over. Though it’s set against the backdrop of World War II, Life is Beautiful is really an ode to the virtues of fatherhood and the heroism of men who put their wife and children before themselves. Life is Beautiful is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

A Small Light

This miniseries follows the brave actions of Miep Gies and her husband Jan as they hide the Frank family – including their now-famous daughter Anne – in a race against time to keep them alive till the end of the war. A Small Light paints a stirring portrait of life in occupied Netherlands, and even though the audience already knows the story’s tragic ending, they are captivated by its warm and hopeful spirit. A Small Light is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Hacksaw Ridge

Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) is a heartfelt Christian and pacifist, but that doesn’t make him any less a patriot. When war breaks out, Doss enlists as an army medic and is sent to serve on the Pacific front. There Doss achieves the impossible – saving the lives of 75 wounded soldiers, all without once holding a weapon. Inspired by the true story of a real Medal of Honor award winner, Hacksaw Ridge is a beautiful depiction of a man who shows courage without being violent. Hacksaw Ridge is available to stream on Netflix. 

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler

Based on the true story of a Polish social worker who saved over 2,500 Jewish children during the war, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler follows its heroine into the ghetto in Warsaw, where her job is to help stop the spread of deadly diseases like typhus. But Irena knows she can do more, and so she begins the dangerous process of smuggling Jewish children out to safe houses in the city. The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler is available to watch for free on YouTube.

Dunkirk

Before he took on the creation of the atom bomb, director Christopher Nolan brought to life one of the most amazing true stories in British naval history. As the British troops on the mainland are slowly pushed back toward the sea by advancing German armies, British army command scrambles to collect enough volunteer sailboats to fetch soldiers across the channel before it’s too late. Relating the events of the Dunkirk evacuations through the perspective of individual soldiers and volunteer sailors on the ground, Dunkirk is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the common man. Dunkirk is available to stream on Apple TV+.

All the Light We Cannot See

Marie-Laure is a young, blind French girl in hiding, anxious for the return of her beloved father, Daniel LeBlanc (Mark Ruffalo). Marie-Laure reads aloud from her Braille copy of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea on her uncle’s radio every night – an illegal action that communicates codes for the resistance. Then, her radio signal is caught by German radio operator Werner Pfennig (Louis Hofmann), who finds himself increasingly captivated by the voice he is supposed to be hunting. All the Light We Cannot See is available to stream on Netflix.

The Zookeeper’s Wife

Antonina (Jessica Chastain) has a gift – she can intuit the needs of animals, even better than her husband, Jan, who runs the Warsaw Zoo. When the Germans invade, Antonina and her husband convince a high-ranking Nazi official to keep some of their beloved animals alive. Using the zoo as a cover, Antonina and her husband become a part of the Polish resistance and help hide Jews escaping from the ghetto. The Zookeeper’s Wife is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

The King’s Speech

This war drama follows a different struggle – that of the reluctant British prince who was never meant to be king. Bertie (Colin Firth) is the second son of a demanding father with a severe stutter that makes him feel constantly inferior to his older brother Edward. But then Edward decides to marry an American divorcee – forbidden for the head of the church of England – and Bertie is unexpectedly thrown into the limelight as the new heir to the throne. Bertie then enlists the help of an unconventional speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) in an attempt to tame his speech impediment as he guides his nation into the impending storm of war. The King’s Speech is available to stream on Max.

Woman in Gold

Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren) is an elderly Austrian-Jewish refugee living in California. After the death of her sister, Maria discovers that her family has a claim to the famous “Woman in Gold” painting, which sits in one of Austria’s finest art museums and was stolen by the Nazis during the war. Altmann enlists the help of young lawyer Randy Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds) as she fights to reclaim her family’s heritage. Woman in Gold is available to stream on Netflix.

Foyle’s War

A World War II murder mystery show that scores in every episode. Detective Superintendent Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) has a new Sergeant, soldier Paul Milner, who was lamed during action early in the war, and a new driver, a plucky woman named Sam. All three wish they could do more for the war effort, but when murder strikes the countryside of Hastings, they find that the home front is more dangerous than they bargained for. Foyle’s War is available for streaming on Acorn TV and Hoopla.

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