A Christmas treat from the BBC, recently repeated for the May holiday, this story is an enchanting little piece centring on a station porter (Charlie Creed-Miles), a small hero dog, Jim, a little orphan boy (Thomas Sangster), a father and son at odds with each other about industrial and social progress (Frank Finlay and David Haig), and a feisty schoolmistress who only wants to fend for herself (Laura Fraser). George Cole returned from screen retirement to play the soon-to-be-retired stationmaster; other familiar faces in this include John Thomson and Nadia Sawalha. Everyone in the cast is excellent.
The drama revolves around both the plight of the orphans and the impending visit of Queen Victoria (Prunella Scales). Jim the dog does tricks but his heroism in saving the life of the Queen shows that animals really are often more sensitive and quick-thinking than people.
Certainly buoyed up by Mark Wallington's writing and John Roberts' direction, this is a feature-length drama with much to enjoy for all the family.
The drama revolves around both the plight of the orphans and the impending visit of Queen Victoria (Prunella Scales). Jim the dog does tricks but his heroism in saving the life of the Queen shows that animals really are often more sensitive and quick-thinking than people.
Certainly buoyed up by Mark Wallington's writing and John Roberts' direction, this is a feature-length drama with much to enjoy for all the family.