Bradford Yorkshire England United Kingdom - Stars of "The Railway Children" were in Bradford last night for the premiere of a digitally-enhanced version of the iconic film.
 
Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins, and Sally Thomsett visited the National Media Museum for a question and answer session ahead of the first screening of the updated version of the film.
 
The sold-out event at the museum's Pictureville Cinema also brought this year's Bradford International Film Festival to a close.
 
The original footage of the film, directed by the late Lionel Jeffries, and shot along the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in 1970, was digitally re-mastered by film distributor Optimum Releasing to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
 
Speaking ahead of the screening, Jenny Agutter, who played Roberta in the film, said:  "The success of the film is very much to do with what Lionel shot. It's very sentimental and honest. There are painful moments and funny moments, he just packed it full with many layers. Being digital is really important as it means the film has an ongoing life. It has the opportunity to be shown on the big screen again, it's made for the big screen. It can carry on."
 
The new version of the film features interviews with the three stars and crew members.
 
Cast members from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, including town councillor Graham Mitchell, who played the guard on the Old Gentleman's coach, and members of the Haworth band, which played on the station platform, were also interviewed for the new film.
 
Festival director Tony Earnshaw said:  "There are few more quintessentially Yorkshire films than "The Railway Children". This film is so firmly rooted in this district that when we were approached by Optimum with the news it was being re-released it just seemed natural to request that we see it again. It provided us with an excellent opportunity to celebrate a classic movie. It's the perfect conclusion to the festival."
 
The newly-restored film will be released in cinemas in April and a DVD version will be available in shops from May.
 
Hannah Baker.