“The Railway Children” (2000)

The Railway Children

Brief Description:

Three children befriend locals as they try to learn what has become of their missing father.

Date: 2000

Genre: British drama television film

Running time: 1 hour 48 minutes

Cast: 

Jemima Rooper as Bobbie

Jack Blumenau as Peter

Clare Thomas as Phyllis

Jenny Agutter as Mother

Richard Attenborough as the Old Gentleman

Gregor Fisher as Perks

Michael Kitchen as Father

David Bamber as Dr. Forrest

Melanie Clark Pullen as Ruth

Georgie Glen as Aunt Emma

Velibor Topić as Mr. Szczepansky

Sophie Thompson as Mrs. Perks

JJ Feild as Jim

Clive Russell as the Station Master

Amanda Walker as Mrs. Ransome

Director: Catherine Morshead

Production company: Carlton Television

Based on: The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

Y'all. The scenery is gorgeous. The town is perfect. The houses are lovely. The railway is beautiful. 10/10. 

Characters: 5/5

I know they're not 100% accurate. Peter is too young; Phyllis is too stupid; Bobbie is a bit too old; Perks is a bit too one-dimensional. But I really don't care. I think each of those actors captures the characters so well, and I had such fun seeing Clive Russell as the stationmaster and David Bamber as the doctor (too old, but that's fine). Also, Jim is super cute and Mrs. Perks is the sweetest! 

Plot: 4.5/5

While they do simplify the plot a little, tweak things, and remove storylines (the whole bargee part, namely) they do a pretty good job sticking to the original plot and script. 

Romance: 5/5

The tiiiiiiny thread of blossoming romance between Jim & Bobbie is SO cute!!! 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

Hope and be kind, basically like the book, I guess :) 

Content: 5/5 (low)

Maybe a handful of mild euphemisms? 

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Someone throne a chunk of coal at Peter. 

Overall: 5/5

I think it's perfect. The book is still a thousand times better but I love the film so much.