I very much enjoyed this latest version of The Railway Children, yet I felt it left out a very important part by not including the relationship between the injured hound, Jim, and the children's "Old Gentleman," and by adding a romantic sub-text between Bobbie and Jim not found in the book. I was also disappointed in the portrayal of the bargee, (and the elimination of his wife and baby son), and the elimination of the scene where Peter and Phyl wake the signalman up. Petty grievances, yes, but I'm so fond of the book that I want any movie to include all my favorite bits. The performances were wonderful; Jack Blumenau as Peter was especially effective at capturing the wistfulness of a boy in the company of too many women. Jenny Agutter as the mother was a nice touch, and Jemima Rooper as Bobbie and Clare Thomas as Phyl were spot on. It's such a delightful story, and it's not as sickly sweet as much of the so-called "family fare" being offered up these days. Even though the story is almost a hundred years old, its freshness and message are still relevant, and it allows a child to imagine being as resourceful as the protagonists. Well done indeed, and if I do prefer the earlier movie, it's not by much!