The Railway Children Return, a period drama starring Jenny Agutter, is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the UK. Set in Yorkshire during 1944, the film follows three youngsters relocated to the countryside as conflict threatens major cities across the UK.
Plot and Cast
The three children meet Bobbie, who settled in Oakworth thirty years previously, alongside her grown-up daughter Annie, portrayed by Sheridan Smith. The youngsters discover a wounded American serviceman at the local railyard and endeavor to assist his journey home.
Tom Courtenay features as Uncle Walter, with John Bradley as Richard, KJ Aikens as Abe, Beau Gadsdon as Lily Watts, Eden Hamilton as Pattie Watts, Zac Cudby as Ted Watts, and Austin Haynes as Thomas Waterbury. Morgan Matthews directs from a screenplay by Danny Brocklehurst.
Viewer Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have called the movie "heart-warming" and emotional. One person wrote: "If you love the [original] Railway Children, it's impossible not to be touched by this." Another added: "It was a beautifully told story with a true meaning of resilience, courage, strength, and making your own family when hard times are around."
A third reviewer said: "It was a wholesome movie. While it wasn't a true story, it easily could have been. I liked the story. I also liked the scenery. The music was really good too!" Another fan commented: "Lovely. Beautifully filmed and acted. The film speaks to past events, but is still very current. How fun that Jenny Agutter has been in all three films!"
Background and Streaming
The original BBC series launched in 1968, based on Edith Nesbit's novel about three siblings relocated to rural life alongside a railway after their father is arrested. Two years later, the show was adapted into a movie with Agutter as the eldest sibling, Bobbie Waterbury. Agutter returned to the role in a 2000 ITV reimagining, and the sequel movie hit the big screen 22 years later.
Away from The Railway Children, Agutter is known for portraying Sister Julienne on Call the Midwife since 2012. The latest season of the BBC drama aired earlier this year, and a wartime prequel, narrated by Agutter, is due to broadcast later this year. The Railway Children Return is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
