The feel good story of Bryan Forbes' regime at EMI Films - Lionel Jeffries had been acting forever, wanted to write, fell in love with the classic book and optioned the rights, took it to EMI and Forbes (an actor who turned to writing and directing) suggested he direct. The result made a profit and became a family classic- in England at least.
Jenny Agutter became famous (among a certain section of viewer anyway) for taking her clothes off in films so it's kind of weird to see her being so wholesome, but she's animated and pretty and a great lead for a film. She's so perfect for this kind of material that you wish she'd had more opportunity to play these kind of roles - cheerful leads in family films. Not that it isn't great she got naked but in most of those parts she was just "the girl" and here she drives the action.
Her sister is played by the blonde off Man About the House and her brother looks like the guy who breast fed at a late age on Game of Thrones.
The plot is episodic. They warn the train when there's a mudslide, spend a lot of time on the tracks, help a crotchety old man. I was hoping they would bust the spy gang to help prove their father's innocence. The reunion with the father is well done. The production values are high.
You'll probably like it more if you've read the book.
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