• Home
• The Railway Children

Page

The Railway Children

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

00:42

The Railway Children

Save

• Family
• Drama

• 1970
• Lionel Jeffries
• 104 mins
• U

Summary

Classic period drama based on the novel by E Nesbit, starring Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett and Gary Warren. When a government official is arrested on suspicion of treason, his wife and three children are forced to leave their London home and move to a small cottage in Yorkshire. While their mother fights for her husband's release, the children have marvellous adventures.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

David Parkinson

Directed by Lionel Jeffries, this adaptation of E Nesbit's much-loved novel is one of the finest children's films ever made in this country. Told with quiet intelligence and wry humour, the story follows three Edwardian siblings as they relocate to Yorkshire with their mother (Dinah Sheridan), following their father's wrongful arrest for treason. The narrative is essentially episodic. But the set pieces are equally memorable - whether it's the prevention of a train wreck, the rescue of a schoolboy trapped in a tunnel, or the collection of birthday gifts for the proud but kindly stationmaster (winningly played by Bernard Cribbins). Sally Thomsett and Gary Warren are laudably spirited as Phyllis and Peter, but it's Jenny Agutter's magnificent performance as Bobbie that stands out. It perfectly balances a child's passion for adventure with a growing sense of responsibility as she comes to understand her family's predicament.

imdb-square

7.3/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameBobbieJenny AgutterPhyllisSally ThomsettPeterGary WarrenMotherDinah SheridanPerksBernard CribbinsOld gentlemanWilliam MervynFatherIain CuthbertsonDoctorPeter BromilowRuthAnn LancasterRussianGordon WhitingMrs PerksDeddie DaviesPhotographerErik Chitty

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorLionel Jeffries

Details

Theatrical distributor

MGM - EMI

Released on

2010-04-02

Languages

English | Russian | French

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about The Railway Children

• 
  
  Grey's Anatomy and Bodyguard stars in first look at Primrose Railway Children adaptation
  
  The adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's 2021 novel will air over the festive period.

• 
  
  Meet the cast of The Railway Children Return
  
  Jenny Agutter returns as Bobbie Waterbury in the sequel – and she's joined by an impressive cast of both established and new stars.

  Ad

• 
  
  Where was The Railway Children Return filmed?
  
  The new film revisits many of the locations from the original.

• 
  
  The Railway Children Return review: A charming update on a beloved classic
  
  This sequel feels a little like a TV film – but still contains more than enough heart, humour, and spirited performances.

• 
  
  Bernard Cribbins originally set to be in Railway Children sequel
  
  The veteran actor almost reprised his iconic role as Albert Perks – but was sadly unable to in the end.

• 
  
  Sheridan Smith was "hysterical" when cast in The Railway Children Return
  
  Smith was especially excited about playing Jenny Agutter's daughter in the new sequel.

• 
  
  The Railway Children returns to cinemas for 1-day special event
  
  The beloved children's film will be shown in cinemas ahead of the sequel's release later this summer.

  Ad

• 
  
  Making The Railway Children Return: Behind the scenes with the cast
  
  The stars tease Jenny Agutter's return as Bobbie and references to the original in this exclusive clip.

• 
  
  The Railway Children Return “pays real homage to the original film”
  
  Director Morgan Matthews and John Bradley discuss the ways in which the new sequel borrows from the original.

• 
  
  How The Railway Children Return pays homage to Bernard Cribbins
  
  Albert Perks's grandson is a key character in the belated sequel.

• 
  
  Jenny Agutter reveals Bobbie changes in The Railway Children Return
  
  The Call The Midwife star is reprising her iconic role after more than 50 years.

• 
  
  The Railway Children Return boss and Sheridan Smith talk improvised scene
  
  One scene in the film sees a rather messy food fight break out...

• 
  
  The Railway Children Return: Release date, cast, trailer and latest news
  
  Jenny Agutter and Sheridan Smith star in the sequel to the classic film

• 
  
  Railway Children Return trailer teases new adventure with Sheridan Smith
  
  We'll be returning to the original film's Yorkshire village this summer.

• 
  
  Jenny Agutter is back and opposite Sheridan Smith in The Railway Children Return's first trailer
  
  The Railway Children are back, more than 50 years after the original's release.

• 
  
  First look at The Railway Children Return sees Jenny Agutter and Sheridan Smith in character for sequel
  
  The Railway Children Return has recently wrapped production and will arrive in cinemas in April 2022.

• 
  
  The Railway Children sequel announced starring Jenny Agutter and Sheridan Smith
  
  The original film was released more than 50 years ago.

• 
  
  Stella and The Railway Children actress Deddie Davies has died
  
  Ruth Jones led the tributes to the actress who played Marj in her Sky comedy-drama

• 
  
  Downton Abbey and Luther stars' new crime drama gets UK release date
  
  A new sun-kissed drama from the creator of Hotel Portofino and Professor T.

• 
  
  The Railway Children receives first complaint - 42 years after its release
  
  The family classic starring Bernard Cribbins and Jenny Agutter has been accused of encouraging children to play on railway tracks

• 
  
  Jenny Agutter is this week's Radio Times cover star
  
  The Railway Children Return favourite talks about reprising the role that helped launch her career.

• 
  
  Call the Midwife cast: Who stars in season 15?
  
  Helen George and the stars of Call the Midwife return.

• 
  
  Best Christmas films on Prime Video in 2025 – from It's a Wonderful Life to Merry Little Batman
  
  There's a decent selection of festive themed films on the streamer, here's our pick of the bunch.

• 
  
  Doctor Who dedicates Wild Blue Yonder to Bernard Cribbins
  
  The iconic actor returned to film Doctor Who before his death in 2022.

See more about The Railway Children

Ad

Ad

Ad