jc-osms A fondly remembered film from my youth and one I've re-visited more than once since, it still charms me today. A delightful and thrilling fantasy, it plays almost as well to adults as to its no doubt target audience of children.The Dickensian-styled story is well-wrought with a nice blend of mystery, enchantment and adventure throughout. Sympathetically and winningly directed by British character actor Lionel Jeffries who gives himself a brief expository scene too, it's a perfect example of family entertainment.All the principal characters are well-played, especially Laurence Naismith as the twinkle eyed title character, out to right wrongs from a hundred years before and Diana Dors as an over-the-top scheming harridan figure whose plans the amazing Mr B thwarts with the help of two young children from the future. All the child-actors act very well and for the most part avoid the usual wooden-ness in similar portrayals.I won't give away any of the ingenious plot but it all resolves and revolves around a race to save a young heir and his sister from being murdered in a deliberately-set house fire in a plot devised by Dors and acted upon by her simpleton husband. In fact the film just tails off a little after its fiery climax, although it redeems itself with a happy ending and an unusual but warm-hearted end-credit sequence wholly in keeping with what has gone before. There's a fine understated score by Elmer Berstein too.It probably helps that this film evokes my happy child-hood but watching it again forty years on, I'm pleased to say I enjoyed it just as much as I did in a Glasgow flea-pit in 1973.

TheEdge-4 I first saw this film at the cinema when I was 9 years old when it was originally released (which gives you a clue as to how old I am now). I have never forgotten this film and while "The Railway Children" has justly taken its place in British cinema as a classic family film, this film deserves some love too. Everyone associated with this film is at the top of their game. Behind the camera, Lionel Jefferies provides a great script (adapted from Antonia Barber's original book "The Ghosts") and great direction too. Great atmosphere is provided courtesy of Wilfred Shingleton's production design, Gerry Fisher's excellent photography and one of Hollywood regular Elmer Bernstein's greatest scores (for what was a small British film - who'd have guessed?).In front of the camera, the talent is equally impressive and it is sign of Lionel Jefferies unrecognised talent as a director that he draws some great performances from his cast, some of whom have never been better than they are here. Diana Dors shows a rare talent as a character actress and there are also good performances from David Lodge, James Villiers, Madeline Smith, Deddie Davies, Laurence Naismith, Graham Crowden, Garry Miller, Dorothy Alison and Rosalyn Landor.And for the ill-fated Lynne Frederick who has given a number of poor performances in bit parts over the years before her death and who was unfortunately better known for her chaotic personal life and the unpleasant aftermath to her marriage to Peter Sellers, her appearance here is a revelation. I disagree with one of the previous posts that says that she is slightly too old for the role. To me she seems absolutely right and if she is too old, then so too are Jenny Agutter and Sally Thomsett in "The Railway Children". It is a tragedy that Lynne Frederick did not go on to fulfil the promise that she showed in this film and if she really was a mediocre actress, then Lionel Jefferies deserves even more credit for drawing such a great performance from her for this film as she is excellent here (especially during the scenes in which Langley Park burns at the end). It's a shame what happened to her in real life but instead of remembering her as the bloated alcoholic drug-addicted wreck that she became, I prefer to remember the Lynne Frederick forever immortalised on film here - a beautiful young woman who had so much promise.By the way, when is someone going to release Elmer Bernstein's wonderful score to this film on CD?

screenman This movie is just the sort of feature at which Britain used to excel.It features kids, a very troubled hero, a baddie, ghosts, and time. Although beginning in a contemporary setting, the story harks back to a tragedy some hundred years before, whereby ghosts reach out and communicate with living people in the present.There's just the right mix of drama, tension, comedy and pathos to keep the plot stirring and the viewer interested. An excellent and slightly eclectic mix of British character actors give typically believable and understated turns. Of particular interest is former voluptuous sex-queen Diana Dors as a mean-spirited old house-keeper. Quite a volte-face, yet it's one she manages with great aplomb.The sets are entirely believable. And so they should be; Britain is still planted wall to wall with stately homes and antiquated locations. All the technical issues are up to snuff and there's a simple but decent script that adults can enjoy and which kids can still follow.I have to confess that I have a weak spot for this kind of mystery drama tinged with wry comedy. It's very much in the Dickens mould.Mr Blunden is good, family entertainment. Although there are some scary moments, the presence of kids and a happy reconciliation at the end should not beget any bad dreams.Highly recommended.

Paul Sands The very first time I saw The Others my mind rushed immediately back to this gem...very much a similar premise, people from different periods of time appear to each other as ghosts. It's a nice little film. It's long been my wife's favourite, and its available on DVD from Feb 24, 2003 in the UK which is ooh so cool :)