One Against the Wind

This movie shows the hard work of a woman who gave everything up to help people. She put her life in danger along with her two children, but in the end she pulled through. Tear jerker, for the pain that the main character Mary went through. Judy Davis helps the viewers see what it was like during the Nazi invasion of France. Each character has their own parts to the movie and each part plays an important role. If you love Hallmark movies this is a movie to see. This movie shows what a single woman did during the invasion of France and how many peoples lives she helped save from being killed by the Nazis. So borrow this movie and watch how one woman helped save many peoples lives.

This is simply an extraordinary movie. After watching One Against the Wind, I wish to recommend it to everyone with a preference for true classics. This film is a jewel. Judy Davis performance as Countess Mary Lindell is unique. It's a real life story and it is timeless. It will touch your heart forever.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Sam Neill and Judy Davis are two of my most favorite actors. And to have them in the same film certainly ups the odds it will be excellent. They have been together in other films, but this is by far the best. This movie won the Golden Globe for best TV film, Judy won for best actress in a TV movie, and Sam was nominated. It received an Emmy for one of the technical positions, sound I believe. So, why on earth has it not been released on DVD? I have this movie on VHS, but long for the permanence of DVD, plus hoping there might be extras to savor. There are literally hundreds of thousands of films on DVD whose only worth is as a coaster. Why are the powers that be asleep on this matter?

Baroness Mary Lindell begins smuggling downed Allied pilots out of occupied France after she impulsively rescues an English major from an outdoor café. Her son joins her Resistance operation, but her daughter begins dating a German officer. True story of a British nurse who twice won the Iron Cross for bravery in both world wars.

At a time when Hollywood's favorite actresses are girls instead of women, Ms. Davis could eat those actresses for lunch and still have room for dessert. Judy Davis' depiction of Mary Lindell gives a fearless portrayal of what true heroism is. When Ms. Davis is onscreen, all other actresses seem to fade into the background. Watch this absorbing film if you have tired of female characters that substitute eyeshadow for force of personality, giggles for guts. Forget the cinema junk food, this is the real thing. A Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. Also see Impromptu for another fascinating real-life portrait, Judy Davis as author George Sand.

"One Against the Wind" is an American production filmed in Luxembourg that takes place in France, stars an Australian and a New Zealander playing British citizens, and is acted almost totally in English. So, as you might imagine, authenticity is not a major strong point here. The editing also isn't quite up to standard. Scenes often move quickly from one to another, possibly to fit within a forced running time for airing. If time was such a concern, it might have been preferable to remove some scenes altogether to get a little more more breathing room. But, in spite of merely adequate TV movie standards and unimpressive direction, the script and the actors help to make it quite a good film.

Judy Davis is the real meat and guts that holds it all together. She creates a driven, tough and gritty character. It's a welcome change from all her late-career neurotic personalities, which frankly aren't very interesting. She is wholly convincing, as always, but this time as someone you can really connect with, identify with. I'm not disappointed I watched this.