The Children's Train

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The Children's Train

2024

1h 46m

Drama

History

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3 Reviews

94%

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100+ Ratings

In late 1940s Italy, a mother makes the difficult decision to send her son to the north, where he catches glimpses of a new life away from poverty.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A touching feel-good film.

Rated: B-

Mar 25, 2025

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Jesse Hassenger

Decider

Without more detailed characterization, the movie, frankly, resembles an odd cross between an interesting anecdote and an extended guilt trip, moreso than the tearjerker it’s aiming for.

Dec 24, 2024

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Daniel Hart

Ready Steady Cut

The Children’s Train feels like an important piece of filmmaking, highlighting a paramount moment in Italian history. And it is delivered well.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 5, 2024

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rav M

Rlly good some parts were confusing very feel good cryed a lot OMG watch it

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

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Dan M

Very touching and well casted, written and directed. The movie transported me to post WWII. With a reminder of the terrible cost and suffering borne by families and their children. There’s a depth and realism to the children’s behaviors and reactions that reminded me of my own 8 year old childhood. 5 stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/25

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MB B

I could not get past the first 30 minutes. The movie may have been better if they left it in Italian and added subtitles instead of the English dubbing that they used. The 2024 era voices made it sound too modern, not the movie's time period, and it just threw everything off. Some of the actors' reactions and delivery were also amateurish, and did not ring true.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Jen S

Save this for a night when you are ready to watch a beauty. Just wonderful and you will fall in love and cry.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

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Clare L

Moving... Beautiful... Poignant... Sad... made me cry!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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Riaz R

This is a deeply emotional and unforgettable film. The Children’s Train moved me in ways I didn’t expect—there were several moments when I had tears in my eyes. The story of young Amerigo, torn between the poverty of post-war Naples and the unfamiliar kindness of a northern foster family, is told with such tenderness and authenticity. The performances, especially by the young lead, are incredibly moving, and the film’s historical backdrop adds even more depth. It’s a beautifully made, heart-wrenching journey that stays with you long after the credits roll. Much credit again to the superb Italian film industry!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Cristina Comencini

Director

Barbara Ronchi

Derna

Serena Rossi

Antonietta Speranza

Christian Cervone

Amerigo Speranza

Stefano Accorsi

Amerigo

Giorgia Arena

Rosa Benvenuti

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Synopsis

In late 1940s Italy, a mother makes the difficult decision to send her son to the north, where he catches glimpses of a new life away from poverty.

Director: Cristina Comencini
Producer: Carlo Degli Esposti, Simone Gandolfo, Nicola Serra, Emiliano Vaccariello
Screenwriter: Viola Ardone, Furio Andreotti, Giulia Calenda, Cristina Comencini
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Palomar
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 4, 2024
Runtime: 1h 46m

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