Run time: 106 mins
Always a welcome Summer return of this beautiful film on the big screen It keeps it alive for new generations to see for the first time on a big screen.
It perfectly captures the sunny English landscape at a time when children waved at steam trains. It is a tale of innocence, pride and good manners about hardship, adversity and the once easy friendship between children and grown-ups. It is a celebration of old-fashioned fortitude set in an environment of steam trains, endless summer days and buns for tea. It is unashamedly sentimental. Nobody can deny the love and charm of this timeless 1970 film version of Edith Nesbitt’s classic children’s novel. It is a chance to choke back a new tear and give new children the chance to be lost in the simple beauty of the original.
There are no explosions and nobody gets a thick ear. “Whether today’s kids get it is open to debate.” (Time Out) But as the father of girls, “Daddy … my daddy!” when the steam clears the platform, will remain forever heartbreaking and soaring at once. Bring your grandparents and, if you don’t fidget, there might be buns for tea when you get home… Don’t miss – ever.