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The Railway Children

Play trailer Poster for The Railway Children G 1970 1h 42m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
After Charles Waterbury (Iain Cuthbertson) is imprisoned on false charges of selling state secrets, his wife (Dinah Sheridan) must move to a small house near a railway station. The Waterbury children -- Bobbie (Jenny Agutter), Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) and Peter (Gary Warren) -- occupy themselves watching the trains, even befriending a gentleman (William Mervyn) who frequents the station. When the children discover what has happened to their father, their new friend provides key assistance.

Critics Reviews

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Myles Standish St. Louis Post-Dispatch 05/16/2023
It is charming, gentle and refreshing as it recalls the lost innocence and wholesomeness of a bygone era in films. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 07/01/2022
3/5
A marketing mood-setter for the forthcoming sequel The Railway Children Return, this big-screen rerelease is a chance to marvel at a children’s classic that champions sincerity and altruism instead of, well, superheroes. Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm Guardian 12/17/2020
A wonderful piece of family entertainment in the sense that nobody could possibly take offence at anything they see on the screen and many will obviously find it a blow struck for sanity in a wicked incomprehensible world. Go to Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall 07/12/2022
4/5
It's packed with vivid characters and offbeat humour, and it tells an involving story about kindness and friendship. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 06/26/2021
3.5/4
A wondrous family film that should captivate the young'uns - or at least those capable of responding to a motion picture that doesn't move at the locomotive speed of a superhero saga. Go to Full Review Frank J. Avella Edge Media Network 06/15/2021
B
This enchanting, atmospheric film is part fairy tale, part morality lesson, and all heart. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jim P Oct 25 This famous story is worth reading. This 1970 movie is the best version. It also has a spattering of comic moments. A lovely feel-good family tale. See more David W Dec 31 The very definition of the perfect family film. The story, cast, music and locations are all simply iconic. Pretty much genre perfection. See more S R @ScottR Dec 27 Saw it because it was on Tubi and the "Time Out List for Best British Films". It was a wholesome coming of age story for a struggling family trying to make ends meet. It was a little poor at times for quality, but it still has good family entertainment quality. See more Clare O 12/22/2023 Sublime. This film is just sublime loveliness and makes me cry like a baby. See more 05/07/2022 It was a classic film when it came out, and its a classic now. Such a lovely charming film that still holds up. Great cast, and a story of innocence, childhood, and that part of the world between childhood and adulthood. I havent seen any of the remakes of this film- I dont need t0. The 70s version is always my to go version of this story. See more 09/04/2021 In a class of its own! What more can I say?! See more Read all reviews
The Railway Children

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Lionel Jeffries

Director

Dinah Sheridan

Mrs. Waterbury

Bernard Cribbins

Albert Perks

Jenny Agutter

Bobbie Waterbury

William Mervyn

Old Gentleman

Iain Cuthbertson

Charles Waterbury

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The Railway Children

The Railway Children (1970) The Railway Children (1970) The Railway Children (1970) The Railway Children (1970) The Railway Children (1970) The Railway Children (1970) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After Charles Waterbury (Iain Cuthbertson) is imprisoned on false charges of selling state secrets, his wife (Dinah Sheridan) must move to a small house near a railway station. The Waterbury children -- Bobbie (Jenny Agutter), Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) and Peter (Gary Warren) -- occupy themselves watching the trains, even befriending a gentleman (William Mervyn) who frequents the station. When the children discover what has happened to their father, their new friend provides key assistance.
Director
Lionel Jeffries
Producer
Robert Lynn
Screenwriter
Lionel Jeffries, E. Nesbit
Distributor
Universal Pictures, MGM-EMI, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co
EMI Films Ltd.
Rating
G
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 1970, Wide
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)