The Railway Children (1970) and Swallows and Amazons (1974) are perfect bedfellows: two classic children's novels, simply and faithfully adapted for the big screen. Together they evoke a poignant nostalgia for the periods in which they are set--Edwardian and 1920s England, respectively--and for the childhood of anyone who has grown up watching them. Sentimentality reigns, of course, but it's never cloying. The truthfulness of the juvenile performances, balanced with restrained sympathy from the adults, sees to that.

Flourishing under Lionel Jeffries' delicate direction, Jenny Agutter dominates The Railway Children as the oldest daughter of a family thrown on hard times when their father is wrongly sent to prison. They avert a train disaster, save an imperilled steeple chaser and reunite an exiled Russian with his wife, all with equal enterprise. Happy endings prevail after every crisis. And no number of repeat viewings can ever diminish the impact of father's return. One of the most expert tear-duct work-outs in film history, it hits the spot every time.
Perhaps the lack of such a pivotal scene has kept Swallows and Amazons in the relative shade. But its gentle appeal survives with equal charm, not least in the resourcefulness of the eponymous children and the period detail. Together this pairing makes a double bill to treasure, and a piquant reminder that Disney doesn't have a complete monopoly on the rich heritage of children's cinema. On the DVD: The Railway Children and Swallows and Amazons is presented in standard 4:3 picture format, from so-so prints, and with acceptable mono soundtracks. Both films envelope the viewer in a comforting Sunday-afternoon haze. There are no extras, apart from scene indexes. --Piers Ford

Synopsis
Three Edwardian children travel with their mother to live by a railway in Yorkshire, when their father is wrongly imprisoned as a spy. Based on the novel by Edith Nesbit.

"I've been torpedoed!"
Askey replies..
"Well I didn't do it!"

Worth aquiring for the grandchildren, not me of course....

'THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A MISANTHROPE'

Hey I love the film as I do my weight lifting.

"I've been torpedoed!"
Askey replies..
"Well I didn't do it!"

Do you wear a corset when you do that, or, rubber underwear...?

'THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A MISANTHROPE'

Oh Reg? what are you asking Arthur? men dont wear corsets.

arthur does

I say there boy..

Kilt, Foggy, Kettle, Black!

"I've been torpedoed!"
Askey replies..
"Well I didn't do it!"

Don't forget my Minimiser Truss when speaking in public....lol

'THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A MISANTHROPE'

it always brings a tear to my one good eye when the final credits role and they all ham it up and wave at the camera in their fine bloomers.i like that kind of thing,ian mcshane was forever drawing you into lovejoy by talking to the camera and giving you some narrative,and who can forget good old roger moore when at the start of every episode of the saint he turned to camera and raised that mighty eyebrow then looked up at the suspended halo....

I say there boy..

Just watching the drama version with Agutter as the mother. I forgot what a good star she was. And the eldest kid played by her from 'lost in austin' Amanda Price. A very different railway children version but also very good. A remake reg but a good one!

"I've been torpedoed!"
Askey replies..
"Well I didn't do it!"