TimR

Oh, I didn't see this: I suppose the story is so well known in Britain that it's not a spoiler to mention the ending. (It isn't that well known here) That scene always moves me - in the book and in the film and, less so, in the more recent film.

Steve Crook

Moves you? I should say so. If there's a dry eye in the house when she says it I'd be most surprised. It's beautifully done.

Steve

Fellwanderer

There is a story behind that scene as well - I'll try to dig it out so I don't make any mistake!

Even just imagining Jenny saying those words reaches to my very core.

There is an excellent article by Dr Susan Smith on that particular scene and the importance of Jenny's voice itself which is well worth reading. It can be found with a bit of searching on the internet or, if you have access to JSTOR you should be able to get it there:

2007 ‘Vocal Sincerity, Liminality and Bonding in The Railway Children (Lionel Jeffries, 1970)’, Literature/Film Quarterly 35/3. ISSN: 0090-4260

I managed to get hold of a copy to send to Jenny. I've been meaning to email Susan to see if I can get it on Jenny's website or at least a link to an online version so I'll do that today.

Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned the words but, certainly in the UK, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has not seen it.

It always strikes me as odd as it is so little known in the States since even the New Yorker rated it the best family film for 25 years [since Meet Me In St Louis] when reviewing it - and nothing to touch it until ET. Still, it wasn't American

PS Tim's right about the recent film - but once one has heard Jenny say it, nothing could ever sound as powerful and moving.

Steve Crook

The title's right, it is the sincerity with which she says it that has a big effect. She's had to act like an adult to look after her siblings and to save everyone from disaster - but at the end she's suddenly a little girl who misses her daddy

Steve

TimR

Well, it is known here, and those who know it do love it. But the audience is limited.

All of Nesbit's books - with the exception of the last few - are available in any large book store and have never been out of print since I first read them.

That film was released in 1970 - just before the large-scale popularity of British-made television and films that began with Upstairs Downstairs. That series changed everything, as it revealed the large potential audience for non-US product among television audiences. I remember well when it was on: even as a boy I was aware of how enormously popular it was. I can recall my grandmother discovering it and passing it on to my parents, and soon we were all watching it.

After that, a well-made British film or show would receive more attention during its initial release in the theatres, and then would be shown - and repeated - many times on television. (Many times. The Flame Trees of Thika, Brideshead Revisted and all the Poirot and Miss Marple episodes were on constantly, as were the comedies and more recently Jeeves and Wooster and Prime Suspect and Absolutely Fabulous - which I couldn't stand)

If that beautiful version of The Railway Children had been made a few years later, it would have been shown on public stations all over the US and would likely have been recognized as a classic.

Fellwanderer

It is certainly recognised as a classic here! It was the only family film to make it into the BFI's Top 100 British Films.

When Mrs Fell showed it to children at her school they were amazed - saying it was far better than what they usually watched. I'm just hoping Jenny has a professional engagement up here in the not too distant future as she promised to come and do a reading from TRC at the school for Mrs Fell.

mutznutz

This was perfect in every way, cast, performance, tempo, music and above all for me, Lionel Jeffries' direction. Sadly somehow he could not repeat his spectacular work in his later films. Maybe it was because he was pigeon-holed into children's films, and personally, I don't regard The Railway Children as a children's film. It works at a much higher lever.

I am 50 years old, seen it countless times, but still weep every time Jenny Agutter runs to meet her father anf the fantastic music builds to a climax.

Actually bumped into Jenny Agutter once, she used to live in one of the boathouses on the edge of the Thames at Clivedon (NT)

vetchbook

I used to live in Brighton and had a momemnt when I saw Jenny Agutter walking towards me. It was on the high street just up from the clocktower, in the town centre.
As she approached I couldn't quite believe it and tried desperately not to stare...alas I failed and she looked right at me [which musy happen to all the time, men in their late-30s gawping at her].
I didnt say anything but all those lovely moments filled my head as she went past...Daddy, My Daddy!
Brighton has its share of actors living and working there but this was a great moment.

retroman

Come on Fellwanderer - do tell us what it is!

"I've agreed with you from the first about the danger. But now I think you are utterly mistaken".

stevie boy

Just looked at this thread,first time for ages, have now got this dvd courtesy of Steve Crooks favourite newspaper