Can't watch it. Just can't. It's too upsetting. That moment. I used to recite the last minutes it with my friend the wonderful Deborah Kiely. Then she was taken from us all at 40. We would watch THE WHOLE FILM waiting for that moment. Even thinking about it now makes my eyes sting. Such power. Why? How? Thankyou Luke for featuring it.
It's a masterpiece. Funnily enough, it's Bobbie's birthday party scene which cracks me up- almost as much as the famous ending. When she glides into the room (on a skateboard, apparently) and Johnny Douglas' music starts up... making me blub even now, just thinking about it...
It's the most extraordinary moment, that final scene. Strangely, the only other film whose final moments have the same sobbing gasping effect on me is Philadelphia...
I'm also fascinated by Nesbit's desperately sad life and her awful marriage...ASByatt wrote a fictionalised version of her life and friends in The Children's Book, and captured that same pre-WW1 pre-lapsarian dreamscape
I agree entirely that this film is best appreciated by those of us of a certain vintge and terroir, ie middle-aged Brits...ha-ha!
Was it, though, the Great War that held our generation's elders in suspended thrall while we we're growing up in the 1970s? From my recollection, it was the Second World War that seemed ever-present with my parents and grandparents. And the First seemed such a long time ago to me as a teen, though it was only a half century or so, which is a shorter bridge than the one that takes us back from here to the Beatles!
So, as much as I agree, to an extent, and admire your positioning of this film as a nostalgia piece more associated with the Great War than say 'universal' nostalgia, ie a general longing for the past, for me, The Railway Children will always be firmly fixed in my mind as a longing to go back to that time in the mid-1970s all the older people around me kept referring to, which was the post-war of 1950s England.
And now have to watch it again just for that 'skateboard' scene!
My point is that it is the First World War which was consistently referred to in popular culture during the 70s, over and over again. More so than the Second- which, of course, was huge in the 50s- all those war films starring Kenneth More and John Mills. But there was a special 70s thing for the Edwardian era which I come across over and over again- in children's fiction, television, books and films. Why is this? Because it took until the 60s for it to develop. The BBC documentary, The Great War (1964) had a huge impact, followed by Oh! What a Lovely War, and the rest.
I was always a Daddy’s girl so The Railway Children became increasingly difficult to watch. I used to time my exit from the room carefully so that I wouldn’t cry in front of anyone. Despite that, I played the scene in my head and still blubbed in private! Not watched the film since my Dad died in 2016.
I hadn’t thought about the impact of the war in the 70s. Something to ponder and how it affected my parents.
Oh no. I’ve never seen the movie (and this is a fascinating discussion of it), but I’ve read the book many, many times, with similar reactions to yours to the movie. It’s my favorite of all her children’s novels.
But it never occurred to me that those children would grow up to be young adults during the First World War. An upsetting thought.
It's a wonderful interpretation of the book- and I urge you to see it. Let us know your thoughts. And yes, the First World War connexion often occurs to me re any film set in 1910, or whenever. What happens to the characters in a few years time? They're on the cusp of huge change.
I'll see if I can track it down and then circle back. I've probably seen parts of it in clips, because your still is a little familiar. It's funny — I'd heard something similar with The Secret Garden, but never extended it the Nesbit books, so this really startled me.
Isn't there a film adaptation of the Secret Garden where Dickon gets sent off to fight in the war? I think I read about it somewhere. Completely out of keeping with the premises of the book, it seems to me. Colin, yes; but Dickon, no.
The ending is SERIOUSLY moving. A classic of British cinema. Be prepared. re The Secret Garden, I would need to check that one- about Dickon and the war. But isn't it set in 1900?
I see that the ending is on youtube — will take a look. I just saw the birthday party scene there, and it is indeed moving. The Secret Garden came out in 1911, but I don't think that it includes any internal dates? Another reason for that adaptation (if I remember correctly about it) to be off. It might possibly have been a novel using her characters, but I do think that I remember it being a movie, with the war serving as a framing device. (Whichever it was, never saw it, just read about it. And might be misremembering.)
Can I add: in Britain, The Railway Children is one of those KEY films- shown every rainy Bank Holiday Monday, which everybody has grown up with and loves- and which also explains why The Railway Children is my most successful post- so far. In America, for some reason, the film isn't as well known. I'm not sure why this is exactly? Too English, perhaps? But then it's the same with Disney's very American Old Yeller- a film, incidentally, I rate highly. But almost unknown in Britain.
Truly? I had no idea. I always thought that it was her least-known novel! This makes me happy, as it's a lovely story. (And yes, I cried a little at both clips just now :)).
Just saw the reunion scene. Very, very moving. Not more so than the novel, which stretches it out, longer (unless the youtube clip skips a part with all the waving newspapers from the train?) but very beautiful. I love the depiction of the house and land around it.
Love this. It's my favourite film and was my favourite book as a child. I cried then and I cry now (absent father in my house too which may account for the excess of crying). I tried to read it to my children, convinced I could get through it in one piece because I knew it so well. I could not.
For me the resonance is also that my grandparents were Edwardians and became parents themselves rather late, as did my mother. So although I grew up in the 70s, I recognise little bits of that world, those mores, that food (beef tea for instance that the Old Gentleman has delivered to the ailing mother; my grandmother always kept a stock of it in her store cupboard - itself an Edwardian throwback).
The Railway Children was one of the first films I ever saw at the cinema - I would have been 7 at the time. I’ve always loved it and all of Nesbit’s books - what a phenomenal writer, indeed - but it’s only in adulthood that it has made me cry. Your niece is not so keenly aware of the possibility of tragedy, of losing someone who can never come back, as we middle-aged adults. My father died when I was 20 and I think it’s that, specifically, that made it unbearably poignant for me from that point on. And I also credit TRC for my lifelong adoration of Bernard Cribbins.
Blimey, yes! This is TRULY GREAT afternoon matinee material. It's a film about growing up that can be seen from perspectives of both innocence and experience and enjoyed at those different levels. I'm sure it'll be on again over Christmas and I look forward to re-viewing it with a few more things to look out for... thanks to you.
Great insight Luke. I'd never thought of the 70s fascination with the Great War before but it's so true. I was at primary school in the early 80s and there was an awful lot of Edwardian-era taught to us. I thought it was just because I lived in a very historic area, but you've really made me think. As a result I'm a bit of an Edwardian-ophile! Another one of my favourite watches it Box of Delights for the reason. I'd love it if you reviewed that!
Jings this is a three hankie film. The injustice, the late great Bernard Cribbens and the last scene as well as Bobby's awakening to her mother's suffering throughout this.
Beautifully shot and all the cast at the very end credit scene.
Bernard Cribbens was especially brilliant. Fabulous casting. And spot on- it's a sensitive teenage girl's rite of passage, isn't it? The loss of innocence. About growing up. And that's why it's so moving.
Can't watch it. Just can't. It's too upsetting. That moment. I used to recite the last minutes it with my friend the wonderful Deborah Kiely. Then she was taken from us all at 40. We would watch THE WHOLE FILM waiting for that moment. Even thinking about it now makes my eyes sting. Such power. Why? How? Thankyou Luke for featuring it.
It's a masterpiece. Funnily enough, it's Bobbie's birthday party scene which cracks me up- almost as much as the famous ending. When she glides into the room (on a skateboard, apparently) and Johnny Douglas' music starts up... making me blub even now, just thinking about it...
I hope the fact that I now know that she's on a skateboard might make me less weepy!
My favourite film of all time too - I am sobbing just reading your words - thank you xxxxx
It's the most extraordinary moment, that final scene. Strangely, the only other film whose final moments have the same sobbing gasping effect on me is Philadelphia...
I'm also fascinated by Nesbit's desperately sad life and her awful marriage...ASByatt wrote a fictionalised version of her life and friends in The Children's Book, and captured that same pre-WW1 pre-lapsarian dreamscape
Fabulous, Luke!
I agree entirely that this film is best appreciated by those of us of a certain vintge and terroir, ie middle-aged Brits...ha-ha!
Was it, though, the Great War that held our generation's elders in suspended thrall while we we're growing up in the 1970s? From my recollection, it was the Second World War that seemed ever-present with my parents and grandparents. And the First seemed such a long time ago to me as a teen, though it was only a half century or so, which is a shorter bridge than the one that takes us back from here to the Beatles!
So, as much as I agree, to an extent, and admire your positioning of this film as a nostalgia piece more associated with the Great War than say 'universal' nostalgia, ie a general longing for the past, for me, The Railway Children will always be firmly fixed in my mind as a longing to go back to that time in the mid-1970s all the older people around me kept referring to, which was the post-war of 1950s England.
And now have to watch it again just for that 'skateboard' scene!
My point is that it is the First World War which was consistently referred to in popular culture during the 70s, over and over again. More so than the Second- which, of course, was huge in the 50s- all those war films starring Kenneth More and John Mills. But there was a special 70s thing for the Edwardian era which I come across over and over again- in children's fiction, television, books and films. Why is this? Because it took until the 60s for it to develop. The BBC documentary, The Great War (1964) had a huge impact, followed by Oh! What a Lovely War, and the rest.
Beautiful write-up Luke.
Thank you.
Luke- Curious to hear what might your favorite version be? I might just see if I can find it this month for movie night. Cheers-
And the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway https://kwvr.co.uk/ is worth a credit!
I was always a Daddy’s girl so The Railway Children became increasingly difficult to watch. I used to time my exit from the room carefully so that I wouldn’t cry in front of anyone. Despite that, I played the scene in my head and still blubbed in private! Not watched the film since my Dad died in 2016.
I hadn’t thought about the impact of the war in the 70s. Something to ponder and how it affected my parents.
Great post. I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you. I really appreciate that. And it's the perfect film for Christmas. Maybe it's time to have another shot?
I’ll keep you posted! Happy Christmas. 🎄
You too!
Oh no. I’ve never seen the movie (and this is a fascinating discussion of it), but I’ve read the book many, many times, with similar reactions to yours to the movie. It’s my favorite of all her children’s novels.
But it never occurred to me that those children would grow up to be young adults during the First World War. An upsetting thought.
It's a wonderful interpretation of the book- and I urge you to see it. Let us know your thoughts. And yes, the First World War connexion often occurs to me re any film set in 1910, or whenever. What happens to the characters in a few years time? They're on the cusp of huge change.
I'll see if I can track it down and then circle back. I've probably seen parts of it in clips, because your still is a little familiar. It's funny — I'd heard something similar with The Secret Garden, but never extended it the Nesbit books, so this really startled me.
Isn't there a film adaptation of the Secret Garden where Dickon gets sent off to fight in the war? I think I read about it somewhere. Completely out of keeping with the premises of the book, it seems to me. Colin, yes; but Dickon, no.
The ending is SERIOUSLY moving. A classic of British cinema. Be prepared. re The Secret Garden, I would need to check that one- about Dickon and the war. But isn't it set in 1900?
Ah, found it: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Garden_(1987_film)
I see that the ending is on youtube — will take a look. I just saw the birthday party scene there, and it is indeed moving. The Secret Garden came out in 1911, but I don't think that it includes any internal dates? Another reason for that adaptation (if I remember correctly about it) to be off. It might possibly have been a novel using her characters, but I do think that I remember it being a movie, with the war serving as a framing device. (Whichever it was, never saw it, just read about it. And might be misremembering.)
Can I add: in Britain, The Railway Children is one of those KEY films- shown every rainy Bank Holiday Monday, which everybody has grown up with and loves- and which also explains why The Railway Children is my most successful post- so far. In America, for some reason, the film isn't as well known. I'm not sure why this is exactly? Too English, perhaps? But then it's the same with Disney's very American Old Yeller- a film, incidentally, I rate highly. But almost unknown in Britain.
Truly? I had no idea. I always thought that it was her least-known novel! This makes me happy, as it's a lovely story. (And yes, I cried a little at both clips just now :)).
The birthday party scene almost cracks me up as much as Bobbie's reunion with her father. The Secret Garden: I will investigate further...
Just saw the reunion scene. Very, very moving. Not more so than the novel, which stretches it out, longer (unless the youtube clip skips a part with all the waving newspapers from the train?) but very beautiful. I love the depiction of the house and land around it.
Love this. It's my favourite film and was my favourite book as a child. I cried then and I cry now (absent father in my house too which may account for the excess of crying). I tried to read it to my children, convinced I could get through it in one piece because I knew it so well. I could not.
For me the resonance is also that my grandparents were Edwardians and became parents themselves rather late, as did my mother. So although I grew up in the 70s, I recognise little bits of that world, those mores, that food (beef tea for instance that the Old Gentleman has delivered to the ailing mother; my grandmother always kept a stock of it in her store cupboard - itself an Edwardian throwback).
I have to say, I've taken to a mug of Bovril laced with cognac. That's another recommendation.
The Railway Children was one of the first films I ever saw at the cinema - I would have been 7 at the time. I’ve always loved it and all of Nesbit’s books - what a phenomenal writer, indeed - but it’s only in adulthood that it has made me cry. Your niece is not so keenly aware of the possibility of tragedy, of losing someone who can never come back, as we middle-aged adults. My father died when I was 20 and I think it’s that, specifically, that made it unbearably poignant for me from that point on. And I also credit TRC for my lifelong adoration of Bernard Cribbins.
Blimey, yes! This is TRULY GREAT afternoon matinee material. It's a film about growing up that can be seen from perspectives of both innocence and experience and enjoyed at those different levels. I'm sure it'll be on again over Christmas and I look forward to re-viewing it with a few more things to look out for... thanks to you.
Wonderful - thank you for this. I cry twice too
Great insight Luke. I'd never thought of the 70s fascination with the Great War before but it's so true. I was at primary school in the early 80s and there was an awful lot of Edwardian-era taught to us. I thought it was just because I lived in a very historic area, but you've really made me think. As a result I'm a bit of an Edwardian-ophile! Another one of my favourite watches it Box of Delights for the reason. I'd love it if you reviewed that!
Jings this is a three hankie film. The injustice, the late great Bernard Cribbens and the last scene as well as Bobby's awakening to her mother's suffering throughout this.
Beautifully shot and all the cast at the very end credit scene.
Bernard Cribbens was especially brilliant. Fabulous casting. And spot on- it's a sensitive teenage girl's rite of passage, isn't it? The loss of innocence. About growing up. And that's why it's so moving.
I have to confess I had a moment at a railway station with a steam train a few years ago. That whole emotion just overwhelmed me.