The Railway Children (1970 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Railway Children |
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DVD cover
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| Directed by | Lionel Jeffries |
| Produced by | Robert Lynn |
| Screenplay by | Lionel Jeffries |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Johnny Douglas |
| Cinematography | Arthur Ibbetson |
| Editing by | Teddy Darvas |
| Studio | EMI Elstree |
| Distributed by | MGM-EMI (UK) Universal Pictures (USA) |
| Release date(s) | 21 December 1970 |
| Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £500,000 or £300,000 |
The Railway Children is a classic British drama film from 1970. It is based on a popular book written by E. Nesbit in 1906. The movie was directed by Lionel Jeffries.
It features actors like Dinah Sheridan, Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett, and Bernard Cribbins. The film first came out in cinemas in the United Kingdom on December 21, 1970. Lionel Jeffries also wrote the movie's script. The Railway Children was a big hit with critics when it was released and remains popular today.
Contents
Discover the Story: The Plot of The Railway Children
The Waterbury family lives a rich life in a fancy house near London. Charles Waterbury, the father, works for the government in the Foreign Office. One day, he is wrongly accused of being a spy and is taken away. His wife keeps this secret from their children.
The family loses their money and has to move to a small house called 'Three Chimneys'. This house is in Yorkshire, close to Oakworth railway station. When they arrive, the house is messy and has rats.
New Adventures by the Railway Line
The three children, Roberta (called Bobbie), Phyllis, and Peter, find fun watching trains. They wave to the passengers passing by. They become friends with Albert Perks, who works at the station. They also befriend an old gentleman who rides the 9:15 train often.
To earn money, their mother starts writing stories. She also teaches the children at home.
Helping Others and Finding Family
One day, Mrs. Waterbury gets sick with the flu. Bobbie writes a letter to the old gentleman. He sends food and medicine to help their mother get better. Their mother tells them not to ask others for help again.
The next day, a man is found at the station. He speaks a language no one understands. The children realize he speaks French, which their mother knows well. Mrs. Waterbury learns the man is a Russian writer. He came to England to find his family, who had fled there. He stays with the Waterburys. Bobbie writes to the old gentleman again, asking for help to find the man's family. Soon, his family is found.
The Children Become Heroes
One day, while watching the tracks, the children see a landslide. Rocks and dirt have fallen, blocking part of the railway. The children quickly use their red petticoats as flags. They wave them to warn the train driver of the danger.
Their warning works, and the train stops safely. The railway company and people from the village throw a party for the children. They thank them for saving the train. The children receive special engraved watches and are called "The Railway Children."
A Secret Revealed and a Father's Return
The children learn that Mr. Perks, the station porter, never celebrates his birthday. They secretly ask for gifts from villagers he has helped. They deliver the gifts to his house. Mr. Perks first refuses, saying he doesn't take charity. But when the children explain the gifts are from people he helped, he thanks them. The next day, he brings them old newspapers and magazines to read.
Bobbie reads a newspaper and finds a story about her father being in prison. She talks to her mother, who finally explains. Their father was wrongly put in prison, accused of being a spy. Their mother thinks a jealous co-worker might be behind it. Bobbie once again asks the old gentleman for help with her father's case.
A New Friend and a Happy Reunion
Later, the children see some teenagers playing a game called paper chase. One boy hurts his leg in a railway tunnel. The children help him. They take him to their house, where he rests and gets better.
The old gentleman visits and reveals the boy is his grandson, Jim. He thanks the family for taking care of Jim. Jim and Bobbie become good friends while he recovers. They promise to write to each other when he leaves.
One day, Bobbie feels uneasy and goes to the railway. An express train passes, and passengers wave wildly at her. She stands on the platform, and in the smoke, she sees her father. He has been cleared of the charges and released from prison. She runs to hug him. They return to 'Three Chimneys', and the family is finally together again.
Meet the Cast: Who Played Who?
- Jenny Agutter as Roberta 'Bobbie' Waterbury
- Sally Thomsett as Phyllis Waterbury
- Grey Warren as Peter Waterbury
- Dinah Sheridan as Mother, Mrs. Waterbury
- Bernard Cribbins as Albert Perks
- William Mervyn as Old Gentleman
- Iain Cuthbertson as Father, Charles Waterbury
- Peter Bromilow as Doctor Forrest
- Ann Lancaster as Ruth
- Gordon Whiting as Russian
- Beatrix Mackey as Aunt Emma
- Deddie Davies as Mrs. Nell Perks
- David Lodge as Band Leader
- Christopher Witty as Jim
- Brenda Cowling as Mrs. Hilda Viney
- Paddy Ward as Cart Man
- Erik Chitty as Photographer
- Sally James as Maid
- Dominic Allan as CID Man
- Andy Wainwright as Desk Sergeant
- Lionel Jeffries as Malcolm (Voice)
- Richard Leech as Doctor (Voice)
- Amelia Bayntun as Cook (uncredited)
- Bob Cryer (Chairman of the K&WVR) as the guard of the train carrying Mr. Waterbury (uncredited)
- Paul Luty as Malcolm (uncredited)
- Graham Mitchell (K&WVR Guard) as Train Guard (uncredited)
Behind the Scenes: End Credits
At the end of the movie, the actors do something special. They all appear together in front of a train decorated with flags. They wave and cheer as the credits roll. It's like a curtain call at the end of a play.
You can hear a voice saying "Thank you, Mr Forbes" to thank the producer, Bryan Forbes. At the very end, Bobbie Waterbury (Jenny Agutter) holds up a small slate that says "The End" in chalk.
The Film's Lasting Impact: Legacy
The Railway Children has had a big impact on British movies and audiences. In 1999, the British Film Institute (BFI) listed it as the 66th best British film ever. A few years later, Total Film magazine called it the 46th greatest British film of the 20th century.
In 2005, the BFI also put it on their list of "The 50 films you should see by the age of 14." In 2008, Channel 4 ranked it number 30 on their list of the 100 Greatest Family Films. It was just ahead of Monsters, Inc. and just behind Men in Black and Ghostbusters.
In 2010, a newly restored version of the film was shown at the Bradford International Film Festival. Jenny Agutter, who played Bobbie in the 1970 film, also starred in a new TV version of The Railway Children in 2000. In this new version, she played the Mother.
In 2021, BBC Radio 4 broadcast a story called The Saving of Albert Perks. It was a monologue by Bernard Cribbins. In this story, an adult Roberta returns to Oakworth with two Jewish refugee children. They had escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport.
