Masterpiece Theatre: Railway Children

Starring:Jack Blumenau, Clare Thomas, Jemima Rooper, Jenny Agutter, Michael Kitchen, Valerie Minifie, Melanie Clark Pullen, Georgie Glen, Gregor Fisher, Amanda Walker, Clive Russell, Richard Attenborough, David Bamber, Jane Wood (II), Ian Gain, Bobby Windebank, Velibor Topic, Geoffrey Beevers, Michael Gunn, Paul Trussell
Director: Catherine Morshead
Studio: Wgbh Boston
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Jenny Agutter stars as the mother in this Masterpiece Theater remake of the beloved 1970 Lionel Jeffries film of the same name, in which she played the oldest daughter. This time that role is played by Jemima Rooper, whose face perfectly captures the conflict between her girlhood of railway adventures and her adulthood, in which she comes to understand far more about the disappearance of her father than her younger siblings do. This early 20th-century story based on Edith Nesbit's novel is set in motion when the children's father is taken off in the night from their London home and the family moves to the country in reduced circumstances. The trio take to waving at passing trains for amusement and wind up preventing a derailment, reuniting a Russian prison escapee with his family, and rescuing a schoolboy injured in a tunnel. A couple of their heroics are accomplished with the assistance of a jovial-looking gentleman (Richard Attenborough), who waves to them from the rear car. He turns out to be the owner of the railroad and helps Rooper's character clear her father of a false treason conviction. Agutter does well as the proper British mum with a heart, but this is clearly Rooper's picture. The movie itself is 97 minutes with a few minutes tacked on at the beginning and end for Russell Baker's customary commentary and historical context. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Description
Set at the turn of the 20th century, three Edwardian children and their mother move to a country house in Yorkshire after their father is mysteriously taken away by the police. However, their mother refuses to inform the children of the circumstances surrounding their father's disappearance.

The children become fascinated by a nearby railroad, and they faithfully wave to passengers daily. Their kindness helps them make friends with some important travelers, one old gentleman in particular. Can he help solve the mystery of their missing father?

Special DVD features include: Cast list; Masterpiece Theatre poster gallery; access to The Railway Children Web site featuring essays, an interview with leading actress Jenny Agutter, biographies and photos of Golden Age authors, and more; scene selection; English audiotrack; and closed captions.

Amazon.com

Jenny Agutter stars as the mother in this Masterpiece Theater remake of the beloved 1970 Lionel Jeffries film of the same name, in which she played the oldest daughter. This time that role is played by Jemima Rooper, whose face perfectly captures the conflict between her girlhood of railway adventures and her adulthood, in which she comes to understand far more about the disappearance of her father than her younger siblings do. This early 20th-century story based on Edith Nesbit's novel is set in motion when the children's father is taken off in the night from their London home and the family moves to the country in reduced circumstances. The trio take to waving at passing trains for amusement and wind up preventing a derailment, reuniting a Russian prison escapee with his family, and rescuing a schoolboy injured in a tunnel. A couple of their heroics are accomplished with the assistance of a jovial-looking gentleman (Richard Attenborough), who waves to them from the rear car. He turns out to be the owner of the railroad and helps Rooper's character clear her father of a false treason conviction. Agutter does well as the proper British mum with a heart, but this is clearly Rooper's picture. The movie itself is 97 minutes with a few minutes tacked on at the beginning and end for Russell Baker's customary commentary and historical context. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Description

Set at the turn of the 20th century, three Edwardian children and their mother move to a country house in Yorkshire after their father is mysteriously taken away by the police. However, their mother refuses to inform the children of the circumstances surrounding their father's disappearance.

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Widescreen (Anamorphic)

Customer Reviews:

Masterpiece Victorian Railway Story.......2007-06-08

Years ago we use to see Masterpiece Theater movies and they were excellent dramatic movies. This is one such movie. A little more lighthearted than some, but still the somberness of well off children becoming poor, a father mysteriously is gone one night not to return, and moving to a large but dusty and possibly rat infested house, is not exactly light. Their adventures around the railroad and interesting people they meet make it a treat.

This has a good story, is very well acted, with superb sets and costumes, and decent music. Agutter and Attenborough definitely are pluses. Very interesting intro and summary of the story and even some background on the author at the end. One of the reasons I enjoyed Masterpiece Theater movies. Good quality productions and the DVD is great. I recommend it for the whole family

What a wonderful family movie!.......2007-05-26

This movie, Railway Children, is based on the book by E. Nesbit. It is reasonably faithful to the book. The characters are delightful. The scenery is gorgeous. It is a trip back to the time when manners (and morals) were as natural as breathing. My daughters adore it.

A Wonderful Family Film.......2007-03-06

This a very charming movie set in the turn of 20th the Century.
I have seen both versions and in my option they are both very fine movies that the whole family can watch.
I have to agree with one of the reviews, the brief commentary at the beginning and the end of the movie
is in my view detrimental to the production. I really dont understand why the writers did that.
Other then then the commentary the movie is very fine.
The acting is wonderful, the settings and costumes are beautiful.
This movie is worth while adding to your DVD library.
Especially if you are looking for family movies.

After their father mysteriously disappears..........2007-02-19

... a family is reduced in income and stature. They move to the country near a rail line. There the children learn more of life and people then they would have in their previous pampered environment. Many of their neighbors also learn a few things about sacrifice and friendship. Meantime the children, while worried as to the disappearance of their father, they begin waving to passing trains and this leads to many adventures.

Jenny Agutter played Bobbie Waterbury in the 1970 version. In this version she plays "mother".

Even though the story is transparent, the execution is excellent. The acting is superb and the consumes, even the train fit period of the story. I may have been stretch to believe in a philanthropic railroad tycoon.

This Movie Is A Gem!!!(And It Took Me Back To More Simple Times).......2005-10-19

I loved the original version of this move and was delighted to see that Jenny Agutter has a part in this remake. She is one very underrated actress who sadly we do not see enough of in films these days.The story concerns some young children who move to the country after their father is accused of a crime he did not commit. Then the children embark on a series of adventures in their small village. This movie is touching, funny and full of the charms of yesteryear.

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