The Railway Children

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The Railway Children

G

Released Dec 21, 1970

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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100%

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16 Reviews

82%

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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.

Myles Standish

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It is charming, gentle and refreshing as it recalls the lost innocence and wholesomeness of a bygone era in films.

May 16, 2023

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

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.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 1, 2022

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

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.

Dec 17, 2020

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

It's packed with vivid characters and offbeat humour, and it tells an involving story about kindness and friendship.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 12, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 26, 2021

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Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

This enchanting, atmospheric film is part fairy tale, part morality lesson, and all heart.

Rated: B

Jun 15, 2021

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David W

The very definition of the perfect family film. The story, cast, music and locations are all simply iconic. Pretty much genre perfection.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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S R

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Clare O

Sublime. This film is just sublime loveliness and makes me cry like a baby.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/23/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

In a class of its own! What more can I say?!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

Possibly the most delightful & enchanting film it has been my pleasure to watch & I have done so on many, many occasions. Quite brilliant!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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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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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)