One Against the Wind (1991 TV Movie) User Reviews

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

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 28 March 2004]

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')

Whatever I have to be.

[SteveSkafte · 7/10 · 23 July 2010]

"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.

The Magnificence of Judy Davis: Selfhood Is Chief

[jzappa · 8/10 · 22 September 2008]

Judy Davis carries this entire movie with one of her many insatiable, unforgettable performances, portraying a real-life WWII resistance heroine, Mary Linden, an English Countess who worked for the French Red Cross in Occupied France and helped allies who had been shot down to escape to unoccupied territory. Her actions are made increasingly difficult because of her high profile and her daughter's tryst with a German officer. That complication is what makes her story so universally relevant and sincere. She is unapologetic, impetuous, and completely uncomplicated, so much so that she would never think of hiding those parts of herself.

The way she physically expresses herself is almost masculine, the way she gestures and leans. From the cream of the world's prehistoric dissolution appears this woman's concrete natural liveliness. Selfhood is principal and Judy Davis's portrayal of this character is most involved with its concentration. She is a realist, barely considering sentiment or religious or unworldly matters, which, like all else in her bare-bones view of life, are merely concerns of expediency. She simply is who she is:

Look at the early scene when she sees the English Major played by Sam Neill, wounded and wandering in a Paris under enemy control, she does not pause for a second to endanger her life to protect him from suspicious Germans. Thus is the start of her aid to the British and American soldiers in France.

The way Davis plays this woman is beyond what words can approximate. She is magnetic, relatable, funny, touching and sexy, all in her simplicity in this buried treasure that reveals in essence what any story of an individual WWII resistance fighter reveals, about being your utmost and paramount self, which is a job that could not be more perfectly suited for Mary Linden.

Tour-de-force performance

[McKenna-4 · 14 December 2000]

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.

Easy watch

[pilot1009 · 7/10 · 21 April 2021]

A tribute biographer of Mary Lindell. A lightweight bio to be sure but watchable and quite entertaining with an upbeat ending.

Good movie

[tiggerbaiting · 10/10 · 11 August 2004]

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.

GREAT JUDY DAVIS MOVIE!

[TrpleThreat22 · 10/10 · 24 May 2002]

I'm a huge Judy Davis fan, so this may be biased. Anyway, this was my 2nd glimpse into the magnificent works of the great and talented Judy Davis (my first was "Life With Judy Garland" which was even better!). The way she portrays this woman is more than words can say. I love how she usually portrays women who are very spirited in what they do. The chemistry between Sam Neill and Judy Davis is wonderful, too! This was their 2nd movie together. Anyway, I'd give this 10/10!

A World War II Heroine

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 29 June 2006]

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.

Why not issued on DVD?

[wonttorit-1 · 10/10 · 28 May 2006]

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?

An extraordinary movie

[Soledad-2 · 10/10 · 7 February 2001]

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.

Well done war time movie depicting a period in the life of Mary Lindell. Good plot, excellent makeup and music.

[jbm345 · 10/10 · 28 July 2002]

I have just finished viewing the movie on WE TV. This movie is a keeper. The acting was outstanding, the music well done, and the plot captivating. The emotional development of the movie was probably the weakest point. Still the directing was effective, albeit unusual in places. The make up was superb.