THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
UK, 1970, 108 minutes, Colour.
Dinah Sheridan, Bernard Cribbins, William Mervyn, lain Cuthbertson, Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett.
Directed by Lionel Jeffries.
The Railway Children is a classic family film. It was the first film directed by Lionel Jeffries who then went on to make The Amazing Mr. Blunden and the excellent film about a child and his problems, Baxter. The story is a classic from the turn of the century and concerns the ups and downs of an impoverished family. It is set near a railway line and the atmosphere of railways. Dinah Sheridan is charming as the children's mother. Jenny Agutter, who was to develop into a prominent English star, is the eldest of the children. There are many character actors in engaging performances in minor roles. The English country side looks beautiful. And there are many entertainment and message values in this film for the whole family.
1. What was your overall impression of this film? Was it a satisfying film? A humane and warm film?
2. The narrative technique from Bobby's part add to the interest of the film? Did it move along? And did the ending draw all this together and give it a happy ending (with the cast waving at the audience saying goodbye)? A children's film? How did it appeal to adults as well? Why did it appeal to children?
3. Comment on the period re-creation of the film, The presentation of London at the turn of the century, The houses, the furnishings, the costumes, the style of life and manners, The re-creation of the Yorkshire setting, the countryside, the town the houses and style, The re-creation of the railway, the trains and the railway life.
4. How did the film draw its audience to identify with the Waterburys? Why were they a likeable family? Because of the parents? The children?
5. How interestingly was their London life presented? The comfort and the gentility? The relationship between the parents and the children amongst themselves? (Their pranks with the maid?)
6. What impact did the father have in the family? His support of the family? His love? Their reliance on him. especially Robby's? The close relationship of husband and wife?
7. How important was the influence of the father when it was revealed that he was in prison? Should the mother have told the children the truth? How was his absence made felt in the film? The change in their style of life? Their growing poverty? The disregard of the babe and the leaving of the servants? Poverty as a reality?
8. How strong was the film on the theme of how people can make the best of their poverty? Was this illustrated in their leaving their home in London? The journey to Yorkshire? Their arrival there? (And the humour of the driver?) Their finding their new home and settling in? How did this endear them to the audience? And get the audience involved in their plight?
9. Comment on the film's theme of kindness. The fact that people were kind to the family coming from London. The kindly gentleman in the train and his response to the children? The Russian and the family's looking after him? Jim and his reaction on the family?
10. What effect did the change to Yorkshire have on the family? How did it make them all better people? How badly did they feel the absence of the father? How was this especially strong for Bobby?
11. How impressive was Mrs Waterbury as a person? How was this communicated in the film? By Dinah Sheridan's dignity? By her charm? By the sequences with the children? Her looking after them? The writing of stories? Her illness? Her following through with the children's plans?
12. How sympathetic a heroine was Bobby? Why? Her strength? Relationship with the other children? Her leadership? Her support of her mother?
13. How attractive a girl was Phyllis? Her playfulness? Why would the audience have liked her?
14. How sympathetic a boy was Peter? How attractive? Why did audiences like him?
15. The importance of Mr. Perks in the film? As a humorous character? As illustrating the railway life at work? (Where was this shown best?) His kindness towards him? The fact of his birthday and their efforts for his birthday? Why was he so sensitive and the birthday almost not a success? Why did he back down in his pride? The influence of his wife?
16. The old gentleman: how endearing a character was he? His waving to the children and their relationship with him? His help when they saved the train? His help as regards their father?
17. How did the film use various incidents and adventures to communicate the atmosphere of the place and the quality of the characters? For example, the collection for Mr. Perks' birthday, the incident of the saving of the train, the awarding of the medal for the children, Jim and the cross country run, saving Jim and looking after him, the Russian and his background?
18. What was the impact on Bobby when she learnt the truth about her father? Should she have known this before? Her initiative in getting the old gentleman to help her? (The techniques that the children had for communicating with him, his getting on the train etc.) Was the resolution plausible?
19. How optimistic a film was this? How strong a belief in human nature?
20. What values did it represent? How strong a warmth in human values did the film have? How valuable an experience for children was this film?
