Tags
1970's, Bernard Cribbins, Dinah Sheridan, Gary Warren, Jenny Agutter, Lionel Jeffries, Period Drama, Sally Thomsett, The Railway Children
Film Title
The Railway Children
Director
Lionel Jeffries
Starring
- Dinah Sheridan as Mrs. Waterbury
- Jenny Agutter as Roberta “Bobbie” Waterbury
- Sally Thomsett as Phyllis Waterbury
- Gary Warren as Peter Waterbury
- Bernard Cribbins as Albert Perks
Heartwarming, nostalgic and told with quiet intelligence, The Railway Children is a classic children’s film that adults can also enjoy. Focusing on the adventures of three middle class children in Edwardian times, it is sure to bring a smile even to the most cold-hearted person.
In Edwardian times, the three Waterbury children, Roberta ( commonly referred to as Bobbie), Phyllis and Peter live an idyllic life in middle class London with their mother and father. Their lives are changed forever after their father, who works for the Foreign Office, is arrested for allegedly selling state secrets. After his arrest, their mother takes them to live in a cottage in Yorkshire that is located near a railway. Although vastly different from their middle class existence, the three children soon learn to love the place and have many exciting adventures whilst befriending many of the local people, including a kindly station porter called Perks. The siblings enjoy their days in the countryside and by watching the various trains go past on their journeys. Among these adventures are saving a train by waving petticoats to the oncoming train after a landslide, taking in a Russian man looking for his family and caring for an injured grammar schoolboy. Nostalgic and poignant in equal measure, and handsomely directed and cast, The Railway children is a pleasure to watch for any age.
Lionel Jeffries directs with a loving attention to period detail and keeps the story both filled with joy and an underlying melancholy. The music of the film is a beautiful listen, capturing the adventures of childhood and the importance of family. The scenery of the Yorkshire countryside is stunning to look at, as is the many scenes in which the children wave to passengers on the trains in the hopes of their love passing to their incarcerated father. Abounding with memorable scenes, it is hard to highlight just a few. The two that stay in my memory are the ones that highlight the closeness of family and the bonds it has. In one scene, it is Bobbie’s birthday. She enters the living room and is greeted by family friends who all give her small presents that mean more than any rich finery. Bobbie seems to glide on a wave of happiness as you see how the little things in life mean more to her. In the other scene, Bobbie is reunited with her father. He emerges through the steam of a train and the look on Bobbie’s face is just so lovely, you see the love and utter joy at this as she runs towards her father. The moment she cries “Daddy, my daddy” is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt things I’ve ever seen. If this scene doesn’t make you shed at least one tear, then you clearly have no heart.
Above all, it is the cast that makes The Railway Children such a lovely film to watch. Dinah Sheridan is a kind and soulful presence as the mother, obviously sad at the events that have transpired with her husband but focusing on the positives and caring for her children. As the eldest child Bobbie, a young Jenny Agutter is perfectly cast. She movingly encompasses her character’s love for adventure with the eventual knowledge that the responsibility of adulthood is slowly arriving. Sally Thomsett and Gary Warren are well cast as the adventurous Phyllis and Peter. In the supporting cast, Bernard Cribbins is excellent as the kindly porter who befriends the three children. The Railway Children is the kind of film that never seems to get old, it just comes back fresh as ever when you watch it and all those nostalgic memories come flooding back.
A heartfelt period drama with adventure, moving music and engaging characters, The Railway Children is a film that will never run out of steam.
Al said:
I’ve just watched this today 🙂 Jenny Agutter is in the 2000 remake as well. She plays the mother
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I watched it today as well.
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Al said:
Cool 😀 I was explaining to my daughter why it is a great film
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liamdoesfilm said:
One of my mums favourites!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, your mum has really good taste.
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jjames36 said:
Definitely a good movie. Good review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, glad you agree.
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jennifromrollamo said:
I’ll need to seek this out…reminds me a bit of The Boxcar Children, an American series of books that my kids have read for the Language Arts curriculum I use when homeschooling them.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, definitely seek it out it really is good.
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cindybruchman said:
Never heard about this one, Vinneh! I will check it out. Nice review. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, hope you manage to check it out Cindy.
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drakulus23 said:
I’ve never heard of this film before. I guess i’m more of a gamer then a movie watcher but i’ll check this out after I watch Broken City :]
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, let me know what you think of it.
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keith7198 said:
I’m really intrigued after reading this. I’ve never seen it. Actually it sounds like something I’d really appreciate. Solid review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Keith, it is a real heartwarming movie.
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Marilyn Armstrong said:
Happy New Year. Here’s to an epically great one coming up!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, all the best to you too.
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Laura O said:
I’ve never actually seen this or even really considered it, but I’ll be sure to look out for it now. Thanks for the top-notch review.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the positive comment.
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theflimculb said:
Great review of a great film, one of the most honest adaptations of a children’s story going.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, the emotional honesty of the film is beautiful to watch.
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Maggie said:
A lovely heart-warming film, that makes me nostalgic for a long lost England. Jenny Agutter is perfect and Bernard Cribbins is spot-on as the poor, proud station porter.
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vinnieh said:
Every time I see this film, I’m whisked into the world it displays. Oh so nostalgic and touching.
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beetleypete said:
One of my favourite films about children. Full of nostalgia, and quintessentially British. Great cast too. I must have watched it twenty times over the years. A telly treat every time.
“It’s the Old Gentleman…”
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It warms the heart and telegraphs the simple joys of life with the harsher realitres of growing up with emotional resonance. Jenny Agutter in particular plays the oldest child wanting to have fun but seeing that maturity is soon arriving perfectly.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I love movies like this! I’m not sure if it’s available here in the U.S., but I’m going to look.💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
Oh this is a film that I think everyone has something to love about it. Just very heartwarming and nostalgic.
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thepictureeditor said:
Sad to hear that Bernard Cribbins OBE has passed away today 28 July 2022 – a much loved actor who was proud to have served in the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, he always wore his Para tie, ‘Once a Para always a Para’ was his motto. We at RHQ Parachute Regiment in Colchester, will miss him as he always kept in touch with the Regiment – + RIP Bernard Cribbins OBE – Utrinque Paratus.
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vinnieh said:
He’s going to be missed a lot.
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