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Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor facts for kids
| Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor | |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | David Stoten |
| Produced by |
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| Narrated by | Mark Moraghan |
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| Distributed by | Mattel Creations |
| Release date(s) | August 22, 2017 (US) October 16, 2017 (UK) |
| Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor is an exciting CGI-animated musical adventure film. It's based on the popular TV show Thomas & Friends, which comes from The Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry. The movie was first shown on August 22, 2017, in the US, and on October 16, 2017, in the UK. It features the voices of Joseph May (US) and John Hasler (UK) as Thomas the Tank Engine. Other voices include Rob Rackstraw, Christopher Ragland, Nigel Pilkington, Keith Wickham, Kerry Shale, and Teresa Gallagher. Mark Moraghan narrates the story. New voices joining the cast include Hugh Bonneville, Lucy Montgomery, Darren Boyd, Jim Howick, Sophie Colquhoun, Colin McFarlane, and Nicola Stapleton. This film explores how different engines, like the Experimental Engines, have unique traits.
After Journey Beyond Sodor, the TV show Thomas & Friends continued with season 22. This season, called Big World! Big Adventures!, showed Thomas going on adventures all around the world.
Contents
The Story of Journey Beyond Sodor
Thomas's Big Mistake
The story begins when Henry, a green engine, has an accident. A signal was faulty, and Henry needs repairs at the Steamworks. Sir Topham Hatt chooses James, who has been teasing Thomas, to deliver a goods train instead of Thomas. Thomas feels upset and wants to prove himself. He quickly collects the goods train before James can. Thomas plans to deliver it to Bridlington on the Mainland himself.
However, the Troublesome Trucks confuse Thomas. He ends up at a canal where a crane named Beresford blocks his way. Beresford refuses to let Thomas pass. Thomas cleverly tricks Beresford into moving aside. This allows Thomas to continue his journey.
Meeting New Engines
Thomas soon arrives at a run-down shunting yard. There, he meets two unique experimental engines, Lexi and Theo. They are no longer in service. Lexi and Theo give Thomas more coal and water. But they cannot help him find his way to Bridlington.
Later, Thomas finds a huge Steelworks factory. Two engines, Hurricane and Frankie, run the factory. They invite Thomas to stay. Thomas first says no, but it is very late. So, the Steelworks engines convince him to stay the night.
Trapped at the Steelworks
The next morning, Thomas learns that Hurricane delivered his train. Hurricane took it to Bridlington during the night. Frankie then convinces Thomas to help out at the Steelworks. She says it's to return the favor. However, Hurricane and Frankie refuse to let Thomas leave. They force him to keep working for them. Thomas misses his friends back on Sodor. He tries to escape but fails.
Thomas tries another escape during the night. This time, he is successful. Meanwhile, back on Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt worries about Thomas. He is also concerned that the goods train is late. James tries to convince Sir Topham Hatt to let him go to the Mainland. James wants to save Thomas. But Sir Topham Hatt refuses. He says he cannot lose another train. James is left in charge of Thomas's branch lines.
A Rescue Mission
Back on the Mainland, Thomas meets Merlin. Merlin is a third experimental engine. Lexi and Theo had told Thomas about him. Merlin wrongly believes he has invisibility powers. Theo helps Thomas hide from Hurricane and Frankie. Thomas feels sad about his failures. The experimental engines tell him he is just like them. They feel they cannot do anything useful.
On Sodor, James is not happy running Thomas's branch line. Percy suggests that James go to the Mainland to find Thomas. At Bridlington Goods Yard, James learns from the Troublesome Trucks that Hurricane delivered them. Hurricane is still there and sees James asking about Thomas.
Working Together
On his way back to Sodor, Thomas sees Beresford again. He also sees Hurricane and Frankie taking James to the Steelworks. Thomas asks the experimental engines for help. He wants to rescue James. Theo and Lexi distract the Steelworks engines. Thomas and Merlin try to help James escape.
The plan quickly goes wrong. A wild chase happens inside the Steelworks. James is saved, but Thomas is in danger. He almost gets melted by hot liquid metal. Hurricane bravely pushes Thomas out of the way. This causes Hurricane's wheels to melt. Frankie is upset because Hurricane cannot help her anymore. She explains that they are overworked at the Steelworks. This is why they tried to make Thomas and James work for them. Thomas suggests that the experimental engines can help them. They are not sure if they can, but they are happy to try.
On their way back to Sodor, Thomas and James apologize to each other. Thomas tells James that being friends is more important than being the favorite. Henry returns to Sodor. He asks what he missed while he was gone.
Meet the Voices
| Actor/Actress | Region | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Moraghan | UK/US | The Narrator |
| John Hasler | UK | Thomas |
| Joseph May | US | |
| Rob Rackstraw | UK/US | James and the Troublesome Trucks |
| UK | Toby | |
| Nigel Pilkington | Percy | |
| Christopher Ragland | US | |
| UK/US | Jem Cole and the Troublesome Trucks | |
| Keith Wickham | Sir Topham Hatt | |
| UK | Edward, Henry and Gordon | |
| Kerry Shale | UK/US | Kevin and the Troublesome Trucks |
| US | Henry and Gordon | |
| William Hope | Edward and Toby | |
| UK/US | 2 Troublesome Trucks | |
| Teresa Gallagher | Annie and Clarabel | |
| UK | Emily | |
| Jules de Jongh | US | |
| Steven Kynman | UK/US | Some workmen |
| Rasmus Hardiker | Philip | |
| John Schwab | Ulli and a Bridlington Diesel | |
| Nicola Stapleton | Rosie | |
| Hugh Bonneville | Merlin | |
| Lucy Montgomery | Lexi and the Troublesome Trucks | |
| Darren Boyd | Theo | |
| Jim Howick | Hurricane | |
| Sophie Colquhoun | Frankie | |
| Colin McFarlane | Beresford |