One Against the Wind (1991) Reviews

• Good movie

  tiggerbaiting2004-08-11

  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.

• A World War II Heroine

  ccthemovieman-12006-06-29

  This was a pretty solid Hallmark Hall Of Fame made-for-TV story about a real- life woman "Countess Mary Lindell" (Judy Davis) who helped Allies during World War II. Many of the military men in need were downed pilots and Lindell would help these men get safely out of occupied France. Her character was a strong one and her resolve to do what she could against the Germans was resolute. Helping her accomplish that were her kids: a son and a daughter (a young Kate Beckinsale!). The story lags in spots or I would have rated it higher. It was well-done but not a film I'd watch numerous times, although I might if they'd issue this on DVD.

• When An Guardian Angel Brave Woman Saves Many Lives in Times of War

  claudio_carvalho2004-03-28

  In Second World War, the English Countess Mary Lindell (Judy Davis) and former Red-Cross nurse in the First World War lives in France with her son Maurice Lindell (Christien Anholt) and her daughter Barbe Lindell (Kate Beckinsale). When she sees the Major James Leggatt (Sam Neil) wounded and wandering in an occupied Paris, she does not hesitate to risk her life to save him from the Germans. This is the beginning of her support to the Allies (specially British and American soldiers) in France, helping them to escape to Spain. This true story has a powerful performance of Judy Davis in the role of a splendid woman. Mary Lindell, as presented in the film, was the guardian angel of many soldiers, saving many lives along the war. Unfortunately this is a television movie, otherwise Judy Davis should have deserved to be Oscar nominee, having such a performance. A great movie, recommended for all audiences. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): `Correndo Contra o Vento' (`Running Against the Wind')

• Tour-de-force performance

  McKenna-42000-12-14

  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.

• Whatever I have to be.

  BERSERKERpoetry2010-07-23

  "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.