The Railway Children

The Railway Children (1970)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (6 reviews)

  • 76% of users liked it
    (3,959 ratings)

British character actor Lionel Jeffries both directed The Railway Children and adapted its screenplay from the novel by E. Nesbit. Dinah Sheridan plays the mother of three children who must live in reduced circumstances when her husband (Ian Cuthbertson), a government official, is arrested on a… More

G, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By
Lionel Jeffries
Genres
Drama, Television, Kids & Family, Art House & International
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1970 Wide
On DVD
May 6, 2003

Critic Reviews

  • Coco Forsythe, Future Movies UK

    Those of you coming to the film for the first time are in for a treat; those familiar with it will enjoy its sparkling restoration.

  • Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

    It all slips down very nicely; Bernard Cribbins is terrific as railwayman Perks, and Jeffries' final scene... is justly celebrated

  • Wendy Ide, Times [UK]

    Kids reared on the accelerated thrills of modern children's cinema might find the pacing a little lethargic but if you can persuade them to give it a chance, this sweet-natured family classic should work its magic.

  • Ian Freer, Empire Magazine

    Jeffries mounts the whole thing with charm, humour and subtle smarts. And, let's face it, our obsession with Jenny Agutter, 11 years before American Werewolf, started here.

  • David Parkinson, Radio Times

    Directed by Lionel Jeffries, this adaptation of E Nesbit's much-loved novel is simply the finest children's film ever made in this country.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Anthony L


    A classic British Children's story brought to life in this 1970's adaptation, which itself has become a bit of a classic in its own right. To be honest I was unfamiliar with the story until I saw a brilliant theatre production of this on the unused platform in London's… More

  • Cassandra M


    This nearly perfect cinematic rendition of Edith Nesbit's popular children's novel follows the lives of Roberta (Bobbie), Phyllis, and Peter, and their mother, after their father is unfairly accused of treason and sent to prison. They go to live in an almost uninhabitable… More

Cast

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