Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor | |
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![]() Film poster | |
Directed by | David Stoten |
Written by | Andrew Brenner |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Narrated by | Mark Moraghan |
Music by | Chris Renshaw Oliver Davis |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Mattel Creations Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (US) |
Release dates |
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Running time | 75 minutes |
Countries | United Kingdom Canada |
Language | English |
Box office | $482,723[1] |
Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor is a 2017 animated musical adventure film and feature-length special based on the British television series Thomas & Friends, based on The Railway Series by Wilbert Awdry. This is the first Thomas film to be produced by Mattel Creations and animated by Jam Filled Toronto. It was released on 22 August 2017 in the US and on 16 October 2017 in the UK.[2][3]
The film stars John Hasler in the UK and Joseph May in the US as the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine. It also stars the voices of Rob Rackstraw, Christopher Ragland, Nigel Pilkington, Keith Wickham, Kerry Shale and Teresa Gallagher, with Mark Moraghan narrating for the final time. Hugh Bonneville, Lucy Montgomery, Darren Boyd, Jim Howick, Sophie Colquhoun, Colin McFarlane and Nicola Stapleton join the cast. The film deals with many traits that children have such as autism, through the Experimental Engines.[4]
Plot
On his way to deliver a goods train to Bridlington on the mainland, Henry the Green Engine collides with another train and has to stay at the Steamworks for repairs. Thomas the Tank Engine is upset that The Fat Controller has chosen James the Red Engine, who has been teasing him, to take the train in Henry's place, thinking that James is Sir Topham Hatt's favourite engine. To prove to James he's Sir Topham Hatt's favourite, Thomas collects the goods train before James does so he can take it to Bridlington himself. However, the Troublesome Trucks distract his driver, causing them to go the wrong way. Along his journey, Thomas meets Beresford, a crane, and two faulty experimental engines, Lexi and Theo, who help him get more coal and water. They also tell him about another engine named Merlin, who believes he has the power to become invisible.
Later, Thomas finds himself at a massive Steelworks factory run by two engines, Hurricane and Frankie, who invite him to stay. The next day, Thomas learns that Hurricane delivered his train to Bridlington overnight and Frankie convinces him to help out at the Steelworks to return the favour. However, they refuse to let Thomas leave and continue to force him to work for them. Thomas escapes during the night and hides with the help of an unseen Merlin. Meanwhile, back on Sodor, James is assigned to work on Thomas' branch line, but he soon grows fed up and decides to go searching for him. He comes across Hurricane, who takes him to the Steelworks.
On his way home the next day, Thomas encounters Beresford again. When he hears Frankie and Hurricane coming, Beresford hides him using his hook, only to see them taking James to the steelworks. Thomas enlists the help of the experimental engines to rescue James. Theo and Lexi act as a diversion while Thomas and Merlin try to help James escape. The plan goes awry; a chase ensues in the Steelworks in which James is saved but Thomas is almost melted by slag. Hurricane pushes Thomas out of the way, but melts his own wheels. Frankie breaks down crying and explains that she and Hurricane only enslaved Thomas and James because of the overload of work. The experimental engines decide to henceforth join them at the Steelworks.
Afterwards, Thomas and James apologise to each other. Hurricane’s wheels are replaced, while Henry returns from the Steamworks and asks what he missed in his absence.
Voice cast
Actor/Actress | Region | Role(s) |
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Mark Moraghan | UK/US | Narrator |
John Hasler | UK | Thomas |
Joseph May | US | |
Rob Rackstraw | UK/US | James and the Troublesome Trucks |
UK | Toby | |
Nigel Pilkington | Percy and Trevor | |
Christopher Ragland | US | |
UK/US | Jem Cole and the Troublesome Trucks | |
Keith Wickham | Sir Topham Hatt | |
UK | Edward, Henry and Gordon | |
Kerry Shale | UK/US | Kevin and the Troublesome Trucks |
US | Henry and Gordon | |
William Hope | Edward and Toby | |
UK/US | 2 Troublesome Trucks and Farmer McColl | |
Teresa Gallagher | Annie and Clarabel | |
UK | Emily | |
Jules de Jongh | US | |
Steven Kynman | UK/US | Some workmen |
Rasmus Hardiker | Philip | |
John Schwab | Ulli and a Bridlington Diesel | |
David Bedella | Victor | |
Nicola Stapleton | Rosie | |
Hugh Bonneville | Merlin | |
Lucy Montgomery | Lexi and the Troublesome Trucks | |
Darren Boyd | Theo | |
Jim Howick | Hurricane | |
Sophie Colquhoun | Frankie | |
Colin McFarlane | Beresford |
Reception
Common Sense Media gave it 3/5 stars, calling it a "Suspenseful adventure," that had "positive messages, and the addition of some spirited new characters who add fun to the tale." They however noted it being darker than other Thomas films.[5]
References
- ^ "Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor - Box Office Mojo".
- ^ Schonfeld, Renee. "Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Hugh Bonneville Joins 'Thomas & Friends' for 'Journey Beyond Sodor'". ExtraTV.com. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ "Engine with autism on track for new Thomas The Tank Engine blockbuster film". INews. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ "Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor - Movie Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2021.