Les enfants du chemin de fer

Original title: The Railway Children

1970
G
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

YOUR RATING

After the enforced absence of their father, three children move with their mother to Yorkshire, where during their adventures they attempt to discover the reason for his disappearance.

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Drama Family

After the enforced absence of their father, three children move with their mother to Yorkshire, where during their adventures they attempt to discover the reason for his disappearance.After the enforced absence of their father, three children move with their mother to Yorkshire, where during their adventures they attempt to discover the reason for his disappearance.After the enforced absence of their father, three children move with their mother to Yorkshire, where during their adventures they attempt to discover the reason for his disappearance.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
- 3 nominations total

Mrs. Waterbury
(as Miss Dinah Sheridan)

Bernard Cribbins

Albert Perks
(as Mr. Bernard Cribbins)

William Mervyn

Old Gentleman
(as Mr. William Mervyn)

Iain Cuthbertson

Charles Waterbury
(as Mr. Iain Cuthbertson)

Jenny Agutter

Bobbie Waterbury
(as Miss Jenny Agutter)

Sally Thomsett

Phyllis Waterbury
(as Miss Sally Thomsett)

Gary Warren

Peter Waterbury
(as Master Gary Warren)

Peter Bromilow

Doctor

Ann Lancaster

Ruth

Gordon Whiting

Russian

Beatrix Mackey

Aunt Emma

Deddie Davies

Mrs. Perks

David Lodge

Bandmaster

Christopher Witty

Brenda Cowling

Mrs. Viney

Paddy Ward

Cart Man

Erik Chitty

Photographer

Sally James

Maid

Director
- Lionel Jeffries
Writers
- E. Nesbit
- Lionel Jeffries
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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9:57

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Sally Thomsett was twenty when she was cast as eleven-year-old Phyllis. Her contract forbade her to reveal her true age during the making of the film and she was not allowed to be seen smoking, drinking, going out with her boyfriend or driving the sports cars that were her passion. Even the film crew did not know her true age.

Goofs
As the engine approaches Bobbie in the 'landslide sequence' and comes to a halt, drifting steam is seen coming down from the sky and entering its funnel, indicating the shot is actually reversed footage of the train backing away from Bobbie so as to not endanger the actress by attempting a precision stop inches away from her.

Quotes
Mrs. Waterbury: May I borrow your lamp please.
Cart Man: I dare say.
Mrs. Waterbury: If you say 'I dare say' once more I shall have hysterics, I dare say.

Crazy credits
As the end credit captions are displayed the shot tracks towards a steam locomotive, in front of which are gathered the principal cast. They are surrounded by extras portraying local townspeople, who wave and say goodbye to the audience. All the while, Jenny Agutter is preoccupied with writing something on a slate. As the camera reaches her, she holds it up to display the words "The End".

Connections
Edited into The Hound of the Baskervilles (1972)

Soundtracks
The Man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo
(uncredited)
Written by Fred Gilbert
Performed by Amelia Bayntun (as the cook) and the children

User reviews61

Featured review

10/10

The Railway Children

The Railway Children is perhaps my favorite film of all time simply for the brilliant acting of the cast,the warm,humane interaction of the 3 children and the people they encounter living near the railway in the beautiful English countryside. Jenny Augutter is especially believable in her role as 'Bobbie' the older sibling of her sister Phyllis and brother Peter.The adventures they discover and relationships formed in their new home and surrounding area are very real and fascinating.The scenery is lovely,the trains a part of Britain's vast history and the soundtrack is very moving. This heartwarming film never fails to bring tears to my eyes,each and every time as well as makes me homesick.I often wonder if I should have been born in that era as I think I would have fitted in just fine as people treated each other with such chivalry and decency.

In short I consider this film somewhat of a masterpiece and a must see for anyone who considers themselves a 'sensitive or caring type'.Edith Nesbit wrote this story around the beginning of the 1900's and what a wonderful story it is.More kids today need to read this or see the film instead of playing violent video games.If we had more films of this nature ,the world would become a better place.