Rent The Railway Children (1970)
3.9 of 5 from 95 ratings
1h 45min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Starring Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins, Lionel Jeffries' adaptation of E. Nesbit's much-loved bestseller, The Railway Children is a timeless and enduring affair. After their father is mysteriously taken away, three Edwardian children move to the country where the local railway becomes a source of hope and adventure. Sensitive without being sentimental, the film perfectly captures a magical moment in childhood, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest children's films of all time.
- Actors:
- Dinah Sheridan, Bernard Cribbins, William Mervyn, Iain Cuthbertson, Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett, Gary Warren, Peter Bromilow, Ann Lancaster, Gordon Whiting, Beatrix Mackey, Deddie Davies, David Lodge, Christopher Witty, Brenda Cowling, Paddy Ward, Erik Chitty, Sally James, Dominic Allan, Amelia Bayntun
- Directors:
- Lionel Jeffries
- Producers:
- Robert Lynn
- Voiced By:
- Richard Leech
- Writers:
- E. Nesbit, Lionel Jeffries
- Others:
- Johnny Douglas
- Studio:
- Optimum
- Genres:
- Children & Family, Classics
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like: Monty Python's Life of Brian, Children & Family, Children's Books On Screen: Best Adventure Films, Films to Watch If You Like..., People of the Pictures, Remembering Bernard Cribbins, Richard Attenborough: A Centenary Special Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide, Top 10 Films of 1972, Top Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 03/05/2010
- Run Time:
- 110 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.66:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Now and Then
- A Retrospective Documentary on The Railway Children
- Interview with Acclaimed Children's Author Jacqueline Wilson
- Interview with Jenny Agutter
- Interview with Bernard Cribbins
- Interview with Sally Thomsett
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Reviews (2) of The Railway Children
Sit down and enjoy... - The Railway Children review by TB
.....this wonderful film. And I say that as a middle-aged man! Saw it as a child and parts as a young adult but having heard Bernard Cribbins on the radio, who is the main character in this film for me, looked up which films he had been in and thought, why not, haven't seen that in years! It indeed is not only suitable for families but to those of us with a playful imagination and some good character acting. The General Info tag pretty much has the basic plot so will not repeat it. So go ahead, book it out and light the log fire to watch this great film. Enjoy!!
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Edwardian nostalgia. - The Railway Children review by Steve
Maybe the best film for children ever made in this country. Sure it's old fashioned and cosy and its assumptions about class are dated, but it hits a special sweet spot for British audiences of family films. This is the setting of the story in the early Edwardian period against the background of steam railways...
Add in the splendid locations in rural Yorkshire and this gentle drama attains a state of bliss. Like most films for children, it's a story about the family under threat. The kindly father is- wrongly- sent to prison for treason. So for financial reasons, the mother and three children relocate to the north where the youngsters must adapt and learn life lessons...
Sadly, these don't include not patronising the lowly station master (Bernard Cribbins). Jenny Agutter's performance as the eldest child on the threshold of womanhood is legendary. Twenty year old Sally Thomsett is remarkably convincing as the 11 year old middle child. And Dinah Sheridan is warm and comforting as the best possible mother.
The story is prefaced by an older Jenny Agutter looking back. And the film has the feel of an idealised memory.There is little realism here. It's an adventure, a daydream of a far away age when girls ran through the green fields in pinafores and old gentlemen were kindly and wise. When there were buns for tea. A long, long way from now.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.