The Railway Children (1970) and Swallows and Amazons (1974) are perfect bedfellows: two classic children's novels, simply and faithfully adapted for the big screen. Together they evoke a poignant nostalgia for the periods in which they are set--Edwardian and 1920s England, respectively--and for the childhood of anyone who has grown up watching them. Sentimentality reigns, of course, but it's never cloying. The truthfulness of the juvenile performances, balanced with restrained sympathy from the adults, sees to that. Flourishing under Lionel Jeffries' delicate direction, Jenny Agutter dominates The Railway Children as the oldest daughter of a family thrown on hard times when their father is wrongly sent to prison. They avert a train disaster, save an imperilled steeple chaser and reunite an exiled Russian with his wife, all with equal enterprise. Happy endings prevail after every crisis. And no number of repeat viewings can ever diminish the impact of father's return. One of the most expert tear-duct work-outs in film history, it hits the spot every time. Perhaps the lack of such a pivotal scene has kept Swallows and Amazons in the relative shade. But its gentle appeal survives with equal charm, not least in the resourcefulness of the eponymous children and the period detail. Together this pairing makes a double bill to treasure, and a piquant reminder that Disney doesn't have a complete monopoly on the rich heritage of children's cinema. On the DVD: The Railway Children and Swallows and Amazons is presented in standard 4:3 picture format, from so-so prints, and with acceptable mono soundtracks. Both films envelope the viewer in a comforting Sunday-afternoon haze. There are no extras, apart from scene indexes. --Piers Ford
Trying to escape her broken past, Sarah O'Neill (Seána Kerslake) is building a new life on the fringes of a backwood rural town with her young son Chris (James Quinn Markey). A terrifying encounter with a mysterious neighbour shatters her fragile security, throwing Sarah into a spiralling nightmare of paranoia and mistrust, as she tries to uncover if the disturbing changes in her little boy are connected to an ominous sinkhole buried deep in the forest that borders their home. Bonus Feature Inside the Hole in the Ground
Trying to escape her broken past, Sarah O'Neill (Seána Kerslake) is building a new life on the fringes of a backwood rural town with her young son Chris (James Quinn Markey). A terrifying encounter with a mysterious neighbour shatters her fragile security, throwing Sarah into a spiralling nightmare of paranoia and mistrust, as she tries to uncover if the disturbing changes in her little boy are connected to an ominous sinkhole buried deep in the forest that borders their home. Bonus Feature Inside the Hole in the Ground
The world's greatest story seen from the eyes of the Virgin Mary as she watches her infant son Jesus grow to manhood inspiring the known world with his miracles and teachings on the Word of God. The Angel Gabriel visits the 16 year-old Mary and tells her that she has been chosen to give birth to the Son of God. The child is born in Bethlehem and so begins a very human and touching story of love sacrifice and inspirational faith highlighting a real mother's concern for a son who knows that he must die on the cross so he can be born again.
A London detective finds himself working a serial murder case. The killers unique method sees his victims believing they have the chance to live, all they have to do is tell the truth. It soon becomes apparent that James is the key to everything. Someone is trying to send him a message, but who? With his wife is pregnant with their first child, he has everything to lose.
They wanted The Big Finish that's what they got! This DVD documents a downward spiral of anti-social behavior and violence.
Harry a shy young man with a Madagascar shaped birthmark flees the city and his unhappy life there and ends up alone on a beach. In strange circumstances he bumps into Flint and hiding out in an abandoned cottage their suspicions of one another start to disappear...
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