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The Railway Children (1970)

G  109 min  -  Family | Drama   -  18 December 1971 (Japan)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 1,551 users  
Reviews: 30 user | 15 critic

After the enforced absence of their father, three children move with their mother to Yorkshire, where during their adventures they attempt to discover the reason for his disappearance.

Director:

Lionel Jeffries

Writers:

E. Nesbit (celebrated novel), Lionel Jeffries (screenplay)
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Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dinah Sheridan ...
Mrs. Waterbury (as Miss Dinah Sheridan)
Bernard Cribbins Bernard Cribbins ...
Albert Perks (as Mr. Bernard Cribbins)
William Mervyn William Mervyn ...
Old Gentleman (as Mr. William Mervyn)
Iain Cuthbertson Iain Cuthbertson ...
Charles Waterbury (as Mr. Iain Cuthbertson)
Jenny Agutter ...
Roberta 'Bobbie' Waterbury (as Miss Jenny Agutter)
Sally Thomsett Sally Thomsett ...
Phyllis Waterbury (as Miss Sally Thomsett)
Gary Warren Gary Warren ...
Peter Waterbury (as Master Gary Warren)
Peter Bromilow Peter Bromilow ...
Doctor
Ann Lancaster Ann Lancaster ...
Ruth
Gordon Whiting Gordon Whiting ...
Russian
Beatrix Mackey Beatrix Mackey ...
Deddie Davies Deddie Davies ...
David Lodge David Lodge ...
Bandmaster
Christopher Witty Christopher Witty ...
Jim
Brenda Cowling Brenda Cowling ...
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Storyline

The film opens in a happy, comfortable upper middle-class home in Victorian London. One night the three children see their father usher two strangers into his study. After an argument he leaves with them and does not return. They and their mother fall on hard times and eventually move to a cottage in the country. Yet they keep their spirits up and find ways to help others. Fascinated by the nearby railroad, they wave to the passengers faithfully every day, and their vigilance and courage prevent an accident. Their kindness makes friends of some important people who can help solve the mystery of their missing father. Written by Paul Emmons <pemmons@wcupa.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Children | Yorkshire | Train | Country | Railway  | See more »

Taglines:

The Railway, the Children . . . and the wonderful secret they'll share with you ! [UK] See more »

Genres:

Family | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

(Japan) See more »

Also Known As:

Aseman lapset See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMI Film Productions See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Jenny Agutter (Bobbie) and Christopher Witty (Jim) played the same roles in a 1968 BBC serial based on "The Railway Children". See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When the toy train blows up we see the dog running out of the house into the bushes on a clearly spring or summer's day. However, it is supposed to be at Christmas time. The next time we have an outdoor shot, it is snowing heavily. See more »

Quotes

Phyllis Waterbury: I hope mother doesn't get too wet in Wakefield.
See more »

Crazy Credits

As the end credit captions are displayed the shot tracks towards a steam locomotive, in front of which are gathered the principal cast. They are surrounded by extras portraying local townspeople, who wave and say goodbye to the audience. All the while, Jenny Agutter is preoccupied with writing something on a slate. As the camera reaches her, she holds it up to display the words "The End". See more »

Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest Family Films (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo"
Written by Fred Gilbert
Performed by Cook and the children See more »