Lionel Jeffries’ beloved film version of ES Nesbit’sThe Railway Children stars Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins in a tale that has inspired kids and parents alike since its release in 1970.
When Father is mysteriously taken away by the police one night, Bobbie (Jenny Agutter, Walkabout), Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) and Peter (Gary Warren) move to the country with Mother (Dinah Sheridan, Genevieve) to start a new, more modest life. The children wile away the summer days playing on the local railway, where they make the acquaintance of station porter Mr. Perks (Bernard Cribbins, Dr Who, The Wombles, Jackanory), and the Old Gentleman (William Mervyn), who waves to them from his 1st Class carriage every morning. In awe of the great steam locomotives that thunder down the track, the children’s resourcefulness is put to great use whilst they await news of their Father: one day preventing a derailment, the next saving an injured cross country runner.
Extras
Now & Then: a retrospective documentary on the making of The Railway Children
Interview with acclaimed children’s author Jacqueline Wilson
