The Railway Children Return, the “delightful” period drama starring Sheridan Smith and Jenny Agutter, has landed a new streaming home in the UK. A sequel to the beloved 1970 film, Agutter reprises her role as Bobbie Waterbury.
The 2022 film is set amid the Second World War, with the action taking place in the village of Oakworth in 1944. After the major cities become unsafe to live in, three children are evacuated to the countryside, where they hope to build a new life.
They are greeted by Bobbie, who moved to Oakworth three decades earlier, and Annie (Smith), her adult daughter. The children soon discover an injured American soldier at the nearby railyard, and attempt to help him get back home.
StudioCanal
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Directed by Morgan Matthews from a screenplay by Danny Brocklehurst, the period drama is currently available to stream in the UK on StudioCanal Presents, which can be attained as an add-on channel to Prime Video.
If you’re a new subscriber to StudioCanal Presents, then you can get a seven-day free trial, before the monthly cost of £4.99 kicks in. Prime Video can be acquired with an Amazon Prime subscription, which is £8.99 per month after a 30-day free trial.
Upon its release, The Railway Children Return garnered mixed reviews from critics, with several deeming it a pleasant, if safe, follow-up to a beloved work. On Rotten Tomatoes, the sequel has an approval rating of 57% from 49 reviews.
“Whether viewers will still hold The Railway Children Return close to their hearts in 50 years’ time remains to be seen, but no one’s childhood is getting ruined here, either on screen or off,” noted Variety, while The Times dubbed it a “delightful dash of nostalgia”.
“Perhaps not as heart-warming or charming as the first film, The Railway Children Return is engaging and entertaining in different ways, winningly played by its fresh cast,” opined Empire Magazine, while RogerEbert.com called it “touching and beautifully produced”.
Jaap Buitendijk//StudioCanal
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Prior to the film’s release, Smith spoke exclusively with Digital Spy about how much the role meant for her given her love for the original 1970 film, declaring it a “huge honour” to star alongside Agutter.
“We watched it [The Railway Children] a lot actually because it’s so nostalgic and beautiful,” said the actor. “When I got the phone call that I’d be playing Jenny’s daughter, I was hysterical and very excited. So was my family. It’s an honour.”
The Railway Children Return is streaming now on StudioCanal Presents.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.