The Children’s Train review, post war Italy story

The Children’s Train (Il treno dei bambini) tells how parents in poverty stricken Naples in 1946 joined a movement to send their children north to areas where people who survived the war on farms had more food and shelter to offer the children. It was meant to be a temporary move.

The Children’s Train concentrated on the story of Amerigo (Christian Cervone as a child and Stefano Accorsi as an adult). We begin with the adult Amerigo performing at a concert with his violin. He hears the news that his mother died. He’s not terribly upset about the news and plays the concert. As he flashbacks on his life during the concert, we learn he was one of the children after to war who had a southern mom in Naples and a northern mom.

Christian Cervone as the child was so skinny. Not an ounce of meat on his bones anywhere. His mother Antonietta (Serena Rossi) was barely surviving. She didn’t know how to show her love for her son. When the offer to send him north to a family in better circumstances came, she took it.

There was no social media in 1946. It was interesting to watch the herd behavior of the people who controlled opinions and decisions by shouting in the public squares. Some people said the children were being sent to be eaten by the Communists. As one, the crowds turned away in fear. Others spoke of food and shelter, warm clothes, and shoes (which were an obsession of the barefoot Amerigo). As one, the crowds turned back toward the trains.

The children were given baths, clothes, shoes, and numbers to identify who they were and where they were going.

Derna (Barbara Ronchi), who was a union organizer and activist, not a mother, ended up with Amerigo. She grew to love him in many ways better than his own mother did. She became his northern mom.

There was food and music and time to play and go to school with Derna. Amerigo showed an interest in the violin and one of the men made him one. When he began to practice, everyone noticed that he was a natural at it and good even as a child.

When the time came to return to Naples, many of the children did not want to go. Amerigo went, but when his mother pawned his violin and refused to collect the mail and food packages that were coming from Derna, he rebelled.

The final scenes are back with the adult Amerigo as he returns to his home in Naples to find ways his mother did actually love and care about him – something he had not believed as a child.

I’ve reviewed other films about children being sent away en masse. This one is similar, but related to war’s aftermath. In Blitz, which is kind of the opposite of this story, the boy wants to return home. In Summerland, a love story between the adults is added to the mix.

This Italian film was directed by Cristina Comencini. I found it touching and heartwarming. The clothing and locations used were absolutely perfect. It’s a testament to the ability of the human spirit to survive and thrive in extreme circumstances. It’s streaming on Netflix.