Full Steam ahead for the Railway Children’s Return

It’s been over fifty years since Jenny Agutter stood on a railway platform calling for her Daddy in the definitive family film. In this belated sequel, it’s Beau Gadsdon that does much the same, in one of many affectionate nods to the first film. This time around, however, it’s war that has deprived the Railway Children of their father, and unlike Iain Cuthbertson, there’s good reason for thinking he’s not coming back. Mum is absent too, as Lily and her siblings are packed off to the relative safety of the village of Oakworth in Yorkshire.

The Railway Children Return is a delight for all the family, respectful of the first film but sure footed enough to go its own way. Screenwriter Daniel Brocklehurst boldly introduces adult themes into the movie – anyone familiar with the Battle of Bamber Bridge will appreciate the historical context he sets the narrative within – but it’s all handled in a child-friendly sensitive manner. Morgan Matthews’s direction is solid, and the Yorkshire countryside is beautifully presented by Kit Fraser’s cinematography. The child actors hold their own throughout – Austin Hayes is particularly strong – and while Agutter notionally reprises her role as Bobby, it is Sheridan Smith that carries the emotional weight of the film. The chemistry between Beau Gadsdon and Kenneth Aikens is suitably chaste and terribly sweet, and there are some fun cameos from the likes of Tom Courtney and Hugh Quarshie. Best of all in the supporting roles, is John Bradley’s affectionate tribute to Bernard Cribbins, as the great grandson of the original Perks.

Brace yourself for an ending that some may find stretches credulity, but to take exception rather misses the point. This is a film that dares to deal with issues that are, sadly, still relevant today, but does so with an unusually light touch.