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IMDb > The Railway Children (2000) (TV)

The Railway Children (2000) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   336 votes
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Down 11% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Catherine Morshead
Writers:
E. Nesbit (novel)
Simon Nye (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Railway Children on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 November 2000 (USA) more
Genre:
Family more
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
superior TV adaptation of an old favourite more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Jack Blumenau ... Peter
Clare Thomas ... Phyllis

Jemima Rooper ... Bobbie

Jenny Agutter ... Mother
Michael Kitchen ... Father
Valerie Minifie ... Cook
Melanie Clark Pullen ... Ruth
Georgie Glen ... Aunt Emma
Gregor Fisher ... Perks
Amanda Walker ... Mrs Ransome
Clive Russell ... Station Master

Richard Attenborough ... The Old Gentleman
David Bamber ... Dr Forrest
Jane Wood ... Mrs Viney
Ian Gain ... Bargee
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Additional Details

Runtime:
108 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Certification:
UK:U

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
As well as playing Roberta ("Bobbie") in the 1970 movie, Jenny Agutter (cast here as that character's mother) had played the same role in the 1960s television adaptation. more
Quotes:
Phyllis: Open my present Peter! It's crayons. If you don't want them, I'll have them! more
Movie Connections:
Version of The Railway Children (1970) more

FAQ

Chapter Headings
Is "The Railway Children" based on a book?
In what year is the story supposed to be taking place?
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8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
superior TV adaptation of an old favourite, 6 February 2005
7/10
Author: didi-5 from United Kingdom

This (perhaps superfluous) version of the Edith Nesbit novel was made for TV and, in an interesting piece of casting, had Jenny Agutter as the mother – she had been eldest daughter Bobbie thirty years earlier. Some changes to the fabric of the story were inevitable: more screen time is given to the events which cause the children's father to be arrested; the paper chase is no longer linked to the family of the old gentleman; and some of the characters are more sharply drawn than before.

As Bobbie, Jemima Rooper, is very good, but the other children Phyllis and Peter are just OK (played by Clare Thomas and Jack Blumenau). Agutter is perfect as their careworn mother, while Michael Kitchen makes an impact as their wronged father. Gregor Fisher plays Perks the railway-man with a good combination of jollity and righteous indignation; and Richard Attenborough is an inspired choice for the old gentleman (who is not as mysterious as he had been in the 1970s version; we guess he's a high-up in the civil service or the government in this one).

The great strength of the TV version is the attention to detail - we can feel the smoky fog from the 30s steam train as it rushes through the countryside.

An enjoyable TV film, but a complement to the classic one, not a replacement.

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Casting of Peter and Phyllis eerily similar to 1970 version hugh-mcguinness
Was that Jude Law? sarahweston
Great movie NikkiNoodles
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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Family section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

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