
The Railway Children
1970, Comedy/Drama, 1h 42m
11 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsYou might also like
The Railway Children Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Mrs. Waterbury
Albert Perks
Bobbie Waterbury
Old Gentleman
Charles Waterbury
Peter Waterbury
Critic Reviews for The Railway Children
All Critics (11) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (11)
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A wonderful piece of family entertainment in the sense that nobody could possibly take offence at anything they see on the screen and many will obviously find it a blow struck for sanity in a wicked incomprehensible world.
December 17, 2020 | Full Review… -
The film - which sticks closely to E Nesbit's original dialogue and glows with a rural, pre-World War One innocence - is a classic in its own right.
December 22, 2014 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
It all slips down very nicely; Bernard Cribbins is terrific as railwayman Perks, and Jeffries' final scene... is justly celebrated
April 2, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
Kids reared on the accelerated thrills of modern children's cinema might find the pacing a little lethargic but if you can persuade them to give it a chance, this sweet-natured family classic should work its magic.
April 2, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
Jeffries mounts the whole thing with charm, humour and subtle smarts. And, let's face it, our obsession with Jenny Agutter, 11 years before American Werewolf, started here.
April 1, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
Though a touch overlong and arguably slow - thanks to a focus on separate episodes demonstrating varying virtues - it's an effective, joyous little picture.
August 31, 2020 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Railway Children
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Feb 10, 2011This nearly perfect cinematic rendition of Edith Nesbit's popular children's novel follows the lives of Roberta (Bobbie), Phyllis, and Peter, and their mother, after their father is unfairly accused of treason and sent to prison. They go to live in an almost uninhabitable house in the country which stands near a railway line ? mum writes stories to make enough money for food and candles, while the children spend much of their time around the railway station and, specifically, waving to one particular train to 'send their love to father'. Always an involving and clever novel, the characters are here brought to life under the perceptive direction of Lionel Jeffries (better known as a fine character actor). Jenny Agutter plays Bobbie, while Sally Thomsett and Gary Warren are her sister and brother. Their mother is Dinah Sheridan, while the other memorable characters are played by Bernard Cribbins (Perks the railway-man) and William Mervyn (the old gentleman on the train). 'The Railway Children' is gentle entertainment from another age, but does its job beautifully. As we watch Bobbie grow up with the worries of an absent parent jostling against her own needs both to be alone and to have fun, we can only rejoice when events come together at the close of the picture. Throughout we have a sense of time and place ? be it from the steam trains, the university paper chase, or the red flannelette petticoats worn by the girls (and used to avert disaster!).Cassandra M Super Reviewer
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Jan 01, 2008exceeded my expectations. i've been putting off watching this for ages because i was assuming it was going to be a boring and dry childrens film. it was easily a family film and moved along at a comfortable pace. the whole story about the three children and their adventures near the railway is delightful viewing. wow, i sound like an old womanSanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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