This adaptation of the classic novel was on ITV in 2000. Jenny Agutter stars for the 3rd time! Of course, she is famous for her wonderful role as Bobbie in the film but she also took the part in a BBC version. Here, she plays Mother. Daddy is played by Michael Kitchen. Bobbie is played by Jemima Rooper (she also played George in the ITV 1996 version of The Famous Five), Phyllis is played by Clare Thomas and Peter is played by Jack Blumenau. Gregor Fisher makes a hilarious Perks and Richard Attenborough is a fittingly kind faced, soft voiced, Old Gentleman.
I'm sure everyone knows the story by E Nesbit. It's the story of a quite rich family who rely on their father for money and are thrown on hard times when he is wrongly sent to prison. The 3 children get involved in all sorts of events. They avert a train disaster, save an injured boy and reunite an exiled Russian with his wife, amongst other things. But, Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) does a great job at adding some new touches to this. For instance, the children have problems with the locals when they move into 3 Chimneys. They get bullied for being "posh".
There's also a bit of romance as Jim the injured paper chase boy falls for Bobby. I think this treats the viewers with some degree of intelligence. As a matter of interest, Jim isn't the grandson of the Old Gentleman here, whereas he is in the film.
Also, Mother does not teach the children. In the film, we have Bobby wanting to get out of lessons on that miraculous day at the end, but here, we don't see the children sitting doing geography or anything else. There's also a nice little sub-plot about Peter's broken toy train. I also feel that the children in this story are less lazy than the children in the 1970 film. They're prepared to do everything around the house.
Overall, this ITV drama is a pretty decent adaptation and there are some comic moments as well as sad ones. Phyllis for instance, is constantly hungry and quite tactless at times, which makes for some fun. The acting of the 2 younger cast members is a little ropey in places but at least they seem to be playing their ages. Not like Sally Thomsett playing Phyl when she was actually 21 years old! Above all, the dangers of the trains are high-lighted, a fact which I felt Simon Nye did well to include.
It seems implausible today that the children would not find out for months that their Daddy is on trial and that's why he has had to go away, but I guess newspapers were a luxury at the time the story is set.
As for that moment at the end, it's still tear-jerking and while Jemima's "Bobby" is far less excitable than Jenny Agutter's interpretation of the role, her squeals and the tears of Michael Kitchen, still brought a lump to my throat. The impact never lessens. I defy anyone to hear those words "My Daddy!" and not cry.
The Railway Children is a certificate U and it's also out on video. Both formats cost around £13.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: It is a great watch Disadvantages: None
giantpanda21 24.01.2006 (24.01.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of The Railway Children (DVD)
Advantages: An overall classic that is never too boring to watch again and again Disadvantages: Maybe not for everybody, really for people who enjoy a family film with excitement and adventure.
Advantages: An overall classic that is never too boring to watch again and again Disadvantages: Maybe not for everybody, really for people who enjoy a family film with excitement and adventure.
![The Railway Children [2000] (Tv-Film) [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78543739.jpg "The Railway Children [2000] (Tv-Film) [DVD]")
![The Railway Children [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78370545.jpg "The Railway Children [DVD]")
Aug 21st, 2005
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