The Railway children is so exciting and it tells us more about the victorian days. This film is very interesting and conveniant about the situation of these three young children... Because there has been a mistrey with there father the three young children are very worried and scared about living in the country side. I have enjoyed watching this film several of times and it brings yourself into the story.This story tells you more about the steam engines and how children love to ride on trains.It would have been more interesting if they had to go to a new school as well and bring new teachers up as friends. As well as the children being scared it is also there mother because now there father has gon to jail there mother cannot aford to get a job and look after the children by herself.

What is enjoyable about watching random movies at random times is that one never quite knows what to expect or where the next great piece of cinema will emerge. Recently, my viewing has taken the form of stapled classics like "Raging Bull" or "Raiders of the Lost Ark", but this time my VCR took me away from modern conveniences and plopped me right down in front of Lionel Jeffries' "The Railway Children". This is a skillfully directed film about three youthful children, a mysterious event with their father, relocation to the open fields of England, and eventually the rewards inherited by merely waving at trains. At first glance this seemingly simple children's film doesn't seem all that hopeful as it has been lost on VHS rarity for some time, but within the first fifteen minutes of this film, one realizes that it is more than just your common place children's movie – "Railway Children" was created during a time when purity was more than just saying "no", when family meant everything, and where adventure was ready for you around every railroad track bend. This is more than an adorable film, it has amazing cinematic techniques used, it keeps the regular viewer glued to the screen with unanswered questions, and gives three perfect companions to follow along this 110-minute voyage. "Railway Children" is a lost treasure that needs to be seen by families and film aficionados alike.There are several moments that stand out proudly in "Railway Children" that transform this from mediocrity to excellence – one happens to be our three children; Bobby, Phyllis, and Peter. Modern cinema assures us that these three children cannot provide ample darkness, laughter, and insight into the world surrounding them, but Jeffries' children prove otherwise. From intelligently spoken lines (both from acting and the script), to sincere kindness and dedication to this small village, all the way to the final meeting at that train stop; these children are more than just child stars advancing a story, they are leading us with emotion, persuasion, and a realism unseen by today's children. There is more imagination packed in this small VHS than I have witnessed in film for years. A favorite scene that could have been handled with generality, of which I have seen in other films, was the birthday scene for Bobby. The way that Jeffries floats her between guests and gifts was exciting and refreshing, keeping our eyes excited about each scene, as well as our mind. Another scene that captured my attention was when the children were working on gifts for Perks, when asking one man for a gift, Jeffries has him merely state, "No, I will not. I don't like Perks." The children's reaction is hilarious – providing moments for both children and adults to enjoy throughout. Filmed in the 1970s, this tiny feature provides genuine laughs than most modern comedies. It is a creative film coupled with great choreography and direction.That is to say, as much as I loved this film, it wasn't perfect. Jeffries does a great job of keeping us guessing as to what happened to father, but it did feel like the event occurred, the children were kept in the dark, and it suddenly resolved itself by the end. More detail to father, not much more, would have solidified his character and given us the opportunity to see more of the children's reaction. Also, there is one scene in this film, one of those grandiose wide-screen shots of the English countryside that is just breath-taking, but when looking a bit closer you happen to see cars in the background. It made me chuckle, but didn't distract too much from the overall picture. Cinema like this is sorely missed today, and oddly, it seems that only the British have the gumption to produce it. Films like "Love, Actually" or "Vicar of Dibley" demonstrates the power and excitement for community towns, places where everyone knows everyone and we aren't afraid to be neighborly. This is more of a theme that American audiences could have more of – more understanding of what is happening outside, instead of remaining secluded to your own events.Overall, I loved "Railway Children". I didn't know what to expect when I first put it in the VHS player, but from the opening scene, to the exploding train set, to Perks birthday, Jeffries proved that he could handle the most child-friendly story with ease. His ability to make the child actors feel like real characters, to involve the adults less, and to involve the children like they were adults was outstanding. This is a film to be viewed as a strong alternative to anything Disney releases. The continually occurring themes of friendship, kindness to strangers, and forgiveness blasts through the TV with grace and power. "Railway Children" is more than just a kid's film; it is a feature that should be a staple to modern audience viewing. Not only does it give a great visual to the English countryside, but it also teaches (and shows) how life would be greater with an emphasis on imagination and courage, instead of fighting any CGI bad guys.Grade: **** ½ out of *****

I will admit I possibly missed tiny moments when I wasn't paying proper attention, but I got enough of the story to agree that it is a great family film, from director Lionel Jefferies, who played Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Basically it starts with a happy upper-middle class family living in Victorian London. One night the Father (Iain Cuthbertson) is visited by two strangers, and he leaves with them, and does not return. They move to a cottage in the country, and here the children; Bobbie (Jenny Agutter, who I first saw in Child's Play 2), Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) and Peter (Gary Warren) keep their spirits up, with their fascination for the nearby railroad. Everyday they wave faithfully to the passengers in the passing trains, and with courage and vigilance they also avoid an accident and are made heroes. Their kindness makes them friends, including important people who can help find the mystery of their missing father. Also starring Dinah Sheridan as Mother/Mrs. Waterbury, Bernard Cribbins as Albert Perks, William Mervyn as Old Gentleman, Peter Bromilow as Doctor Forrest, Ann Lancaster as Ruth and Gordon Whiting as Russian. It was number 29 on The 100 Greatest Family Films, and it was number 24 on The 50 Greatest British Films. Very good!

The Waterbury children have a great live; a wonderful home with all mod cons in London town, a loving mother, a fun father and servants in every room. One night their father is taken away to do some "business" and things are turned upside down. Forced to move away from London and up to Yorkshire, the children suddenly find themselves with a lot less money, no hired help and a strange new culture to deal with. They try to keep their heads up and continue to be friendly and kind no matter what the challenges and learn the importance of keeping outward focused.Although it has been decades since I last saw this film, I had it in my mind that this was a rather stiff and clunky film – not sure why I thought this but I decided to watch it again before unfairly writing an opinion on it. However I was very pleasantly surprised to find that, for all its unreal "niceness", this is a comforting, sweet, amusing and charming little film that is well worth seeing. The narrative is simply about the importance of having a good heart and it has enough stuff going on to keep it moving forward without getting bogged down – I didn't find it sentimental in a sickly way mainly because it did feel quite fresh. Of course many will rightly say that this is pure sentimental fantasy, with everyone being lovely to each other, goodness winning out, idyllic childhoods, sweetly innocent children and so on – certainly it does tend to make you reminisce for an England that may never really have existed (and definitely doesn't anymore). This was a slight problem but I think I was in the right mood to watch it because I found it charming rather than syrupy but if you are in a bitter or cynical then I would suggest you put off watching this till later.The cast are all good – too sweet to be convincing perhaps but they don't overdo it and everyone has good humour. Agutter, Thomsett and Warren are the kids that everyone wants, they play wholesome really well without turning themselves into real annoyances in the way some "All-American" performances by kids recently have done; they are still quite real people. Support is good from the cast, in particular a nice performance from Cribbins.Overall this may not represent a reality or even politeness that many of us will recognise (nowadays the kids would be in baseball caps and would be chucking stones and cans at the train) but it is sweet and sentimental without overdoing it and making it sickly so and, although not hilarious, has a nice touch of humour and a fresh pace that makes it a very enjoyable family film.