Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
WWII-set family drama has themes related to war, racism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Railway Children
What's the Story?
RAILWAY CHILDREN tells the story of three siblings who are evacuated to a village in the north of England during World War II. The eldest of the three, Lily (Beau Gadsdon), cares for her younger brother and sister. They soon encounter Abe (Kenneth Aikens), a young Black soldier from the United States who's on the run, labeled as a deserter.
Is It Any Good?
This sequel to the popular 1970 tearjerker has that classic, British cinematic charm that makes for a film that can be enjoyed and appreciated by the whole family. Railway Children has nostalgic elements for adults -- for instance, the appearance of Jenny Agutter, who starred in the original series and movie. But for younger members of the family and newcomers to the Railway Children world, it offers a somewhat progressive entry point into this period of history. The film looks at the racially charged in-fighting within the British army and Allies during WWII, something not often addressed in this genre.
It's not quite as moving as the original 1970 movie. But it does have a Spielbergian quality to it, similar to the likes of E.T., in the way the kids come together to save the day. The casting is great, too. The young actors are all really impressive, which is a relief as they take center stage.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes related to race in Railway Children. Why were the children surprised by Abe's experiences? How to talk with kids about racism and racial violence.
What do you know about World War II? Did you learn anything new about it from this film? How do you think the kids who were evacuated felt? How to talk to kids about violence, crime, and war.
In what ways did the characters show courage, compassion, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths? Can you think of a time when you've displayed these traits?
Have you seen the original movie or TV show, or read the book? If so, how did this movie compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 23, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : December 6, 2022
- Cast : Beau Gadsdon , Kenneth Aikens , Sheridan Smith
- Director : Morgan Matthews
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Blue Fox Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , History , Transportation ( Trains )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic material, some violence and language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate