Steinesongo Too many fans seem to be blown away

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

whistlestop I just loved this film - even though I thought the first 1970 film was wonderful, this is better. All the actors are super, and I thought Gregor Fisher was great as Perks, a lovely warmth to him. The really inspired touch was in getting Jenny Agutter to play the mother role this time, and she does it superbly. I always chuckle over the lines given to Bobbie and herself; she warns Bobbie not to go onto the railway line, and Bobbie asks innocently "Didn't you ever walk on the rail tracks when you were a girl?" Tongue in cheek, a nice touch... The trains are gorgeous, scenery beautiful, but we don't see enough of the lovely Michael Kitchen. I've bought this one to watch again and again.

didi-5 This (perhaps superfluous) version of the Edith Nesbit novel was made for TV and, in an interesting piece of casting, had Jenny Agutter as the mother – she had been eldest daughter Bobbie thirty years earlier. Some changes to the fabric of the story were inevitable: more screen time is given to the events which cause the children's father to be arrested; the paper chase is no longer linked to the family of the old gentleman; and some of the characters are more sharply drawn than before.As Bobbie, Jemima Rooper, is very good, but the other children Phyllis and Peter are just OK (played by Clare Thomas and Jack Blumenau). Agutter is perfect as their careworn mother, while Michael Kitchen makes an impact as their wronged father. Gregor Fisher plays Perks the railway-man with a good combination of jollity and righteous indignation; and Richard Attenborough is an inspired choice for the old gentleman (who is not as mysterious as he had been in the 1970s version; we guess he's a high-up in the civil service or the government in this one).The great strength of the TV version is the attention to detail - we can feel the smoky fog from the 30s steam train as it rushes through the countryside.An enjoyable TV film, but a complement to the classic one, not a replacement.

Syl I really loved this film. It is beautifully done with a stellar cast of actors and actresses. The countryside setting is beautiful and heavenly. A touching story of a rich family who becomes poor and loses their father to prison. Their relationship with Sir Richard Attenborough's character is charming, delightful, and wishful. The children seek escape from their problems at the railroad tracks. By a simple wave, they begin a wonderful relationship. Sir Richard is more like a Santa Claus character and he does his humanly best to help them. It doesn't matter by the end, that they still live poorly than before as long as they're still together. I would strongly recommend this film version and the Edith Nesbit book to teachers and their English classes. I think they would benefit it form it.

mmiller1 Wonderful cast, excellent photography, and (wonder of wonders to an American TV watcher) a literate script! I heartily agree about Ms. Rooper - I will look forward to seeing her again. Jenny Agutter's beauty has deepened and grown since I first saw her in Walkabout 30+ years ago. Michael Kitchen, Clive Russell, Sir Richard Attenborough, and Gregor Fisher all are believable, and have that depth that British actors have (from doing more stage, I guess.) Note: unlike the previous commenters, I haven't seen Gregor Fisher often enough for him to be typecast yet. Judging from this film, I would like to.