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Recently released on Netflix, The Children's Train by Cristina Comencini has received considerable positive feedback from subscribers. Based on Viola Ardone's book, the Italian film focuses on a young boy from Naples, Amerigo, portrayed by Christian Cervone. His life changes dramatically when his mother sends him to live with a foster family as part of the treni della felicità initiative.
Treni della felicità translates to trains of happiness and is a real-life initiative undertaken between 1945 and 1952 wherein impoverished children from southern Italy were transported to northern Italy to live with families who could feed and support them. The Children's Train not only captures the aftermath of World War II but also seeks to give viewers an idea of the impact it had on families in Italy.
Cinephiles who enjoyed the storytelling of The Children's Train should make a point to watch the well-executed titles on this list that explore similar concepts and themes.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Goodbye, Children and eight other movies like The Children's Train that are eye-opening and moving
1) Forbidden Games (1952)
The young characters in The Children's Train are forced to accept the fragility of life because of the helpless situation they find themselves in. Likewise, in Forbidden Games, a young French girl named Paulette, portrayed by Brigitte Fossey, has to come to terms with the deaths of her parents and beloved dog after an air attack during the Battle of France.
She finds support in the form of a young 10-year-old Michel Dollé (Georges Poujouly) whose family takes her in. Together they navigate a particularly trying time in history marred by chaos and devastation. Based on François Boyer's novel, Forbidden Games thrives on a solid screenplay with endearing characters who the audience will want to root for.
Like The Children's Train, Forbidden Games is emotional, but at the same time, it has a sliver of well-placed dark comedy that helps elevate the narrative. Even though the movie was released so long back ago, the lessons it seeks to impart are still relevant and valuable.
Where to watch: Forbidden Games by René Clément is available for streaming on MUBI and Prime Video.
2) Hope and Glory (1987)
One thing that The Children's Train captures really well is the way children can adapt to different situations, allowing them to find happiness and contentment even in difficult times. The same can also be seen in Hope and Glory by John Boorman.
Based on Boorman's own experiences, the film explores how different members of the Rohan family react to the circumstances that arise after Britain declared war on Germany. The narrative is told from the perspective of 10-year-old Billy portrayed by Sebastian Rice-Edwards.
Hope and Glory, like The Children's Train, isn't about grandiose action scenes. Instead, it focuses on emotional dialogue and satisfying character arcs. It also helps that every member of the Rohan family has been crafted with care and they are compelling enough for the audience to want to become invested in their lives.
Where to watch: Hope and Glory can be streamed on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
3) Goodbye, Children (1987)
The touching narrative of The Children's Train makes it evident that like adults, children also need genuine friends who can help them in times of need. Goodbye, Children, also known as Au revoir les enfants, by Louis Malle brings forth an emotional narrative that focuses on friendship and camaraderie.
In this movie set between 1943–44, Julien Quentin, portrayed by Gaspard Manesse, is studying at a Catholic boarding school. He dislikes his new roommate, Jean Bonnet, played by Raphaël Fejtő. But over time, they form a connection, especially after Julien learns that Jean is Jewish and is hiding from the Nazis.
Like The Children's Train, Goodbye, Children never attempts to make its young characters behave uncharacteristically. They talk and act like children their age and that is what endears the audience to the boys and their evolving bond. The narrative also maintains a level of suspense that adds to the viewing experience.
Where to watch: Goodbye, Children is available on MUBI and Prime Video.
4) Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
The intelligent plot of The Children's Train reminds viewers that the aftermath of wars bears heavily on innocent civilians. The same message also comes through strongly in Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies by Isao Takahata.
Fans are aware that Studio Ghibli has a habit of telling heartfelt stories that prompt viewers to read between the lines and Grave of the Fireflies is no different. It focuses on two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, voiced by Tsutomu Tatsumi and Ayano Shiraishi, who manage to survive a bombing. Without their parents, they have a hard time providing for themselves.
In terms of the mood, Grave of the Fireflies is much darker as compared to The Children's Train. It has its uplifting moments as well but viewers need to keep in mind that the animated film seeks to present a more realistic representation of the devastation brought about by the Pacific War.
Where to watch: Grave of the Fireflies can be viewed on Netflix.
5) Life is Beautiful (1997)
In many ways, The Children's Train addresses what it takes to achieve some sense of normality during tough times. Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful also showcases how the right mindset and a dash of creativity can help young children overcome difficult situations.
In addition to directing the movie, Benigni also plays the lead role. He is Guido Orefice who starts a family with the woman of his dreams. When Nazi Germany occupies Northern Italy, the family is forcibly sent to the concentration camp. Guido then uses his imagination to shelter his son, Giosuè, from the horrors around them.
Even though the movie isn't quite realistic, the witty narrative is still heartwarming enough to keep viewers engaged. Benigni also does a great job showcasing his character's paternal instinct and motivation to stay positive for his son. Like The Children's Train, Life is Beautiful will evoke a variety of emotions in the audience.
Where to watch: Life is Beautiful is available for streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.
6) Tea with Mussolini (1999)
Like The Children's Train, the narrative of Tea with Mussolini is also set in Italy, specifically Florence. It centers around a group of cultured expatriate women who are known as the Scorpioni. They decide to bring up a young Italian boy whose seamstress mother has passed away.
It stars Cher, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith and Lily Tomlin. The talented cast isn't the only reason to watch this Franco Zeffirelli film. Tea with Mussolini thrives on strong and well-developed central characters who will make a lasting impression on viewers.
The movie sheds light on the beliefs and opinions held by the people of Italy before and during the Second World War. And, similar to The Children's Train, it also captures how the right influences can help shape young minds.
Where to watch: Tea with Mussolini can be streamed on Prime Video.
7) Turtles Can Fly (2004)
The Children's Train reminded the audience that the costs of war are too vast to be truly calculated. The same message comes through in Bahman Ghobadi's Turtles Can Fly. This well-received war movie stars Soran Ebrahim, Avaz Latif, Saddam Hossein Faysal, and Hiresh Feysal Rahman, among others.
Turtles Can Fly, like The Children's Train, puts the focus on young protagonists. It follows the lives of a group of children who are living in a Kurdish refugee camp town. On one hand, they are hoping the Americans will be able to overthrow Saddam Hussein but they also have reservations about the possible consequences of the same.
It is an emotional movie that explores aspects of war that are hard to talk about and come to terms with. Ghobadi deserves praise for giving each character enough screen time so that the audience feels invested in their past, present and future.
Where to watch: Turtles Can Fly is available on Prime Video and MUBI.
8) The Book Thief (2019)
For Amerigo in The Children's Train, the violin became a symbol of hope that helped him envision a future that was different from his current situation. Similarly, for the protagonist in The Book Thief, her outlook on life changes after she discovers the joy of reading.
In Brian Percival's war drama set during the Nazi era, Sophie Nélisse plays Liesel Meminger. After her adoptive German father teaches her to read, she becomes a voracious reader and gets into the habit of "borrowing" books. She shares her hobby with the Jewish refugee being sheltered by her foster parents.
Sophie, like Amerigo in The Children's Train, is a clever and relatable protagonist who the audience will find most endearing. The Book Thief is worth watching for its intelligent screenplay, compelling performances and meaningful messages.
Where to watch: The Book Thief can be viewed on Prime Video.
9) Jojo Rabbit (2019)
One of the biggest draws of The Children's Train is the way it explores war through the eyes of a child. The same is the case with Jojo Rabbit by Taika Waititi. Roman Griffin Davis plays Johannes Betzler aka Jojo, a 10-year-old Hitler Youth member. His imaginary friend is a fanciful version of Adolf Hitler played by Waititi. Things get complicated when he realizes that his mother is sheltering a Jewish girl in secret.
Similar to The Children's Train, Jojo Rabbit has the right balance of humor and drama that helps to keep the audience engaged. The best thing about this movie is that it uses satire to draw attention to pertinent messages about survival, power of love and kindness.
Where to watch: Jojo Rabbit is available for streaming on Disney+ and Prime Video.
Viewers who enjoyed watching The Children's Train will find that these titles are also worth the watch because they bring the best of well-written narratives helmed by endearing characters.
