Wrongfully convicted of treason, Charles Waterbury (Iain Cuthbertson) is sentenced to five years of penal servitude. His family in dire straits moves to the English countryside from London with most of their worldly possessions left behind. What follows is a genuinely heartwarming story that focuses on the three Waterbury children who, in an effort to maintain a positive outlook, develop personal relationships with the citizens of Yorkshire and more than a passing acquaintance with riders on the steam train that travels daily past their new home.

Now I'm not sure if most siblings would be this outgoing, but the Waterbury children seem to have hearts of gold. It appears second nature for them to take in a stranded Russian with a broken leg, prevent a serious train accident due to a landslide, and nurse back to health an injured runner when they find him unconscious. All the while, they keep an unspoken promise never to inquire of their missing father so their mother (Dinah Sheridan) can be spared further grief.

The takeaway for most viewers will certainly be the unselfishness of the Waterbury children, and from them we can all learn a lesson of selfless charity and humility. Particularly impressive was the way they won over station agent Perks (Bernard Cribbins) who initially railed at what he considered a snipe at his family's circumstances. With gentle touches of humor and old fashioned family values, "The Railway Children" is well recommended for families with it's lessons of positive attitude, selfless charity and a conviction that negative circumstances don't last forever.

Edith Nesbitt's best book has been adapted into a truly magnificent film, I love it. The film itself has gorgeous cinematography, and fine realisation of the subject matter. The ending is enough to have you in tears, as it is so beautifully done. Lionel has directed some truly excellent films, like the Amazing Mr Blunden, but this is his best film as director by a mile. The costumes were absolutely lovely, that matched the beauty of the countryside, and the sparkling and conveniently-faithful script helped matters. However, it is the quality of the acting that holds this film together, as it is nothing shorter than incredible. Dinah Sheridan is suitably sincere as the mother, a much-needed characteristic of the character, and Bernard Cribbins was hilarious as Perks. In fact, I preferred Perks on film, as he isn't as humorous in the book. The children were perfect. Gary Warren and Sally Thomsett both gave spirited performances, but it is Jenny Agutter's enchanting portrayal of Bobbie that impressed me the most. Another special mention is the gorgeous music by Johnny Douglas, the title music reminded me of Charlie Chaplin's Smile. In conclusion, a funny and poignant masterpiece, that is better than the book, I think. 10/10. Bethany Cox.

This almost perfect cinematic rendition of Edith Nesbit's popular children's novel follows the lives of Roberta (Bobbie), Phyllis, and Peter, and their mother, after their father is unfairly accused of treason and sent to prison. They go to live in an almost uninhabitable house in the country which stands near a railway line – mum writes stories to make enough money for food and candles, while the children spend much of their time around the railway station and, specifically, waving to one particular train to 'send their love to father'.

Always an involving and clever novel, the characters are here brought to life under the perceptive direction of Lionel Jeffries (better known as a fine character actor). Jenny Agutter plays Bobbie, while Sally Thomsett and Gary Warren are her sister and brother. Their mother is Dinah Sheridan, while the other memorable characters are played by Bernard Cribbins (Perks the railway-man) and William Mervyn (the old gentleman on the train).

'The Railway Children' is gentle entertainment from another age, but does its job beautifully. As we watch Bobbie grow up with the worries of an absent parent jostling against her own needs both to be alone and to have fun, we can only rejoice when events come together at the close of the picture. Throughout we have a sense of time and place – be it from the steam trains, the university paper chase, or the red flannelette petticoats worn by the girls (and used to avert disaster!).