![The Railway Children [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United
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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.66:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Story concerns a well-to-do family whose life is turned upside down when the father is unjustly jailed. The family, to save money, go to live on the Yorkshire moors and adapt to village life. The nearby railway becomes the centre of their activities. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards,
The Railway Children should be the poster children of today's
youth...Reviewed by A. Gyurisin, 2009-07-27
What is enjoyable about watching random movies at random times is
that one never quite knows what to expect or where the next great
piece of cinema will emerge. Recently, my viewing has taken the
form of stapled classics like "Raging Bull" or "Raiders of the Lost
Ark", but this time my VCR took me away from modern conveniences
and plopped me right down in front of Lionel Jeffries' "The Railway
Children". This is a skillfully directed film about three youthful
children, a mysterious event with their father, relocation to the
open fields of England, and eventually the rewards inherited by
merely waving at trains. At first glance this seemingly simple
children's film doesn't seem all that hopeful as it has been lost
on VHS rarity for some time, but within the first fifteen minutes
of this film, one realizes that it is more than just your common
place children's movie - "Railway Children" was created during a
time when purity was more than just saying "no", when family meant
everything, and where adventure was ready for you around every
railroad track bend. This is more than an adorable film, it has
amazing cinematic techniques used, it keeps the regular viewer
glued to the screen with unanswered questions, and gives three
perfect companions to follow along this 110-minute voyage. "Railway
Children" is a lost treasure that needs to be seen by families and
film aficionados alike.
There are several moments that stand out proudly in "Railway
Children" that transform this from mediocrity to excellence - one
happens to be our three children; Bobby, Phyllis, and Peter. Modern
cinema assures us that these three children cannot provide ample
darkness, laughter, and insight into the world surrounding them,
but Jeffries' children prove otherwise. From intelligently spoken
lines (both from acting and the script), to sincere kindness and
dedication to this small village, all the way to the final meeting
at that train stop; these children are more than just child stars
advancing a story, they are leading us with emotion, persuasion,
and a realism unseen by today's children. There is more imagination
packed in this small VHS than I have witnessed in film for years. A
favorite scene that could have been handled with generality, of
which I have seen in other films, was the birthday scene for Bobby.
The way that Jeffries floats her between guests and gifts was
exciting and refreshing, keeping our eyes excited about each scene,
as well as our mind. Another scene that captured my attention was
when the children were working on gifts for Perks, when asking one
man for a gift, Jeffries has him merely state, "No, I will not. I
don't like Perks." The children's reaction is hilarious - providing
moments for both children and adults to enjoy throughout. Filmed in
the 1970s, this tiny feature provides genuine laughs than most
modern comedies. It is a creative film coupled with great
choreography and direction.
That is to say, as much as I loved this film, it wasn't perfect.
Jeffries does a great job of keeping us guessing as to what
happened to father, but it did feel like the event occurred, the
children were kept in the dark, and it suddenly resolved itself by
the end. More detail to father, not much more, would have
solidified his character and given us the opportunity to see more
of the children's reaction. Also, there is one scene in this film,
one of those grandiose wide-screen shots of the English countryside
that is just breath-taking, but when looking a bit closer you
happen to see cars in the background. It made me chuckle, but
didn't distract too much from the overall picture. Cinema like this
is sorely missed today, and oddly, it seems that only the British
have the gumption to produce it. Films like "Love, Actually" or
"Vicar of Dibley" demonstrates the power and excitement for
community towns, places where everyone knows everyone and we aren't
afraid to be neighborly. This is more of a theme that American
audiences could have more of - more understanding of what is
happening outside, instead of remaining secluded to your own
events.
Overall, I loved "Railway Children". I didn't know what to expect
when I first put it in the VHS player, but from the opening scene,
to the exploding train set, to Perks birthday, Jeffries proved that
he could handle the most child-friendly story with ease. His
ability to make the child actors feel like real characters, to
involve the adults less, and to involve the children like they were
adults was outstanding. This is a film to be viewed as a strong
alternative to anything Disney releases. The continually occurring
themes of friendship, kindness to strangers, and forgiveness blasts
through the TV with grace and power. "Railway Children" is more
than just a kid's film; it is a feature that should be a staple to
modern audience viewing. Not only does it give a great visual to
the English countryside, but it also teaches (and shows) how life
would be greater with an emphasis on imagination and courage,
instead of fighting any CGI bad guys.
Grade: **** ½ out of *****
A must-watch!Reviewed by Anonymous, 2008-10-02
I thought this was a perfectly charming movie. Very exciting and interesting. i recommend it to all ages. your never too old for a good movie :D
restores faith in peopleReviewed by Eric, 2008-05-28
This is a movie that will restore your faith in people; that they are genuinely kind and helpful to others in need. The good values imparted on the railway children by their parents transend time periods. The values are as relevant now as in 1905.
A classic evocation of childhood, with Jenny Agutter as 14-year-old
Bobbie; directed by Lionel JeffriesReviewed by C. O. DeRiemer, 2007-10-29
The Railway Children, at least this 1970 movie version written and
directed by that long-time British character actor, Lionel
Jeffries, is an unmitigated...classic. It tells a childhood story
with great simplicity and charm; the sentimentality is muted; the
evocation of childhood adventures is involving; and Jeffries brings
cleverness and style to his production.
The Waterbury family is leading an idyllic life in Edwardian
London. The father is prosperous, the mother is beautiful and
loving, the children are well-mannered and affectionate, their home
is warm and cozy. Then one night during the Christmas holidays two
men appear at the doorstep, talk quietly to the father, and then
take him away. In a moment the lives of Mrs Waterbury (Dinah
Sheridan) and Bobbie, 14 (Jenny Agutter), Phyllis, 12 (Sally
Thomsett) and young Peter (Gary Warren), have been changed. Only
their fortitude and good spirits are going to see them through. Now
teetering into poverty, Mrs. Waterbury takes her children to live
in a musty old brick house in the countryside near a rail-line, not
too far from a small village with a train station. The children
discover the rail and regularly sit on a small hill to wave at the
passengers as the train chugs by. One day an old gentleman, going
to his business in the city, looks up from his newspaper and finds
himself waving back. It's not long before he will play an important
part in the story.
As time passes, Mrs. Waterbury brings all her love and intelligence
to bear on her children. She begins to write stories to earn money.
She teaches them their lessons and provides a home of warmth and
security for them. The story, however, is about these three
children, especially Bobbie. At 14, she is old enough to want to
share her mother's worries, yet young enough to enjoy the
adventures she has with her sister and brother. They find a poor
man at the station who cannot speak English. They discover he is a
Russian refugee who no longer knows where his wife and child are.
They insist he must come home with them, and their mother takes him
in. Before long the children have written a large sign to the old
gentlemen on the train asking for his help. They help a young man
taking part in a steeplechase who breaks his leg in a train tunnel.
Soon, he is at their home recuperating. They decide to have a
birthday party for the station master, a man with few friends and
several children who is a stickler for his dignity. It's not long
before the children help him realize the difference between
friendship and charity. In other words, the three children
encounter all sorts of problems in their childhood adventures, and
manage to be instrumental in seeing that all the problems have
happy endings.
But what of their own problems? Bobbie finally learns from her
mother that her father was taken away because he had been accused
of treason, of giving state secrets to the Russians. Will Bobbie be
able to find a way to help? Will the old gentleman be something
more than simply an old gentleman on a passing train? Will their
father's case be reopened? Will there be a happy ending?
Jenny Agutter was almost 18 when she filmed her part; she plays the
14-year-old Bobbie with great naturalness and charm. As important
as the other players are, especially Dinah Sheridan as the mother,
Agutter is the heart of the story. For me, it is Jenny Agutter's
talent and Lionel Jeffries' style and restraint that make this
movie so memorable. The story's problems come with no serious doubt
but that they will be solved. And Jeffries does not just give us an
expertly adapted and directed movie, he adds touches that are
barely noticed but which charm us. This might include just a split
second of a freeze frame as two people talk; or a slow close-up of
a small, yellow wildflower in the grass outside Bobbie's home, then
a slow pull-back from a yellow oil lamp being turned up inside; or
the realization that a delightful interior shot or a view of the
green countryside or a look at the train station from a hill...all
suddenly recall those charming Edwardian hand-tinted drawings of a
perfect by-gone time.
Perhaps this gentle story can't compete for the time kids need
nowadays to perfect their Nintendo monster-splatting skills. I'm
almost positive it would never capture the attention of most of
their parents, especially those weaned on Batman and Leone. Still,
it's a perfectly put together movie and shouldn't be forgotten. As
an aside, 19 years later the story was retold as a television
program. This time, Jenny Agutter played the mother.
The DVD is available as a Region two from AmazonUK. The transfer
looks very good. There are no extras.
Victorian Railway MasterpieceReviewed by C. A. Luster, 2007-06-08
Most of the family will enjoy this, especially if they like Masterpiece Theater movies. This is the style like "Pride and Prejudice" where over time a familiarity and respect develops. This is similar to Disney movies made about 30 years ago. They don't make many like it any longer unfortunately. Three English children are told their father will be away for some time and they must go to the country to live like the poor. They are saddened and yet optimistic there will be new things to see and do. The settings in Victorian England are very well done. The cast and story is what really makes the movie. Special appearance by Sir Richard Attenborough is well received. Even though he is only seen briefly throughout the movie, his part is well performed. This movie is not fast paced, but if you are patient about watching it will pay off. Fans of foreign movies like "Waiting for Ned Divine" will probably enjoy it.
