Orphan Train (1979): Cast & Plot
Orphan Train is a 1979 adventure drama directed by William A. Graham, starring Jill Eikenberry as Emma Symms, Kevin Dobson and Peter Neuman. It runs 2 hours 23 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 23m (143 min)
- Director
- William A. Graham
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- EMI Television
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Orphan Train About?
The premise of Orphan Train without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in 1894, a dedicated social worker arranges a hopeful train journey for a group of slum orphans, guiding them from the crowded streets of New York City toward the open Midwest. Along the way they encounter kindness, form lasting friendships, and pursue new families and brighter futures.
Orphan Train Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- new york city
- boy
- dog
- locomotive
- rat
- newsboy
- piano
- singing
- train whistle
- policeman
- shoes
- 15 year old boy
+38 more Show fewer
- public hanging
- bonnet
- chase scene
- reference to philadelphia
- girl dresses as a boy
- girl
- mother daughter relationship
- 10 year old girl
- cathouse
- prostitute
- prostitution
- fight
- wheelbarrow
- camera
- photograph
- children
- child
- girl disguised as a boy
- journalist
- bare chested boy
- boy taking a bath
- boy rear nudity
- boys fighting
- hanging upside down
- incarceration
- boxcar
- newspaper man
- nightmare
- sleeping child
- sleeping boy
- sleeping girl
- cows
- hitting a child
- train depot
- running after a train
- bully
- adoption
- brushing hair
Orphan Train Cast & Characters
Jill Eikenberry leads the cast as Emma Symms, with Kevin Dobson as Frank Carlin and Peter Neuman as Ben. Directed by William A. Graham; 18 actors are credited in all.
- Director William A. Graham
- Jill Eikenberry as Emma Symms
- Kevin Dobson as Frank Carlin
- Peter Neuman as Ben
- Graham Fletcher-Cook as Liverpool
Also Starring in Orphan Train
· 14 more- John Femia Tony
- Charles Fields Mouse
- Scott Rogers Bruce
- Sara Inglis Annie
- Andreas Manske Dutch
- Glenn Close Jessica
- Linda Manz Sarah
- Severn Darden Mr. Barrington
- Morgan Farley Mr. McGarrity
- Sue Ann Gilfillan Mrs. Gardner
- Hallie Foote Nellie
- Justine Johnston Mrs. Comstock
- Melissa Michaelsen J.P.
- Mike Hammett Danny
More from William A. Graham
More films directed by William A. Graham, best-rated first: Return to the Blue Lagoon, Blood Crime, Acceptable Risk and Dying to Belong.
Orphan Train Plot Summary
What happens in Orphan Train from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Emma Simms, niece of the late Reverend Simms, witnesses a grim moment: a teenage boy is hanged for theft and assaulting a policeman. The scene unsettles her, and she clings to her uncle’s dream of taking such children out west for a chance at a better life. Motivated by compassion and resolve, she decides to raise the funds and take the children herself, starting a remarkable plan to move them via an long-awaited journey aboard a train.
With the goal in mind, she enlists the help of Frank Carlin, a reporter who wants to travel with them and chronicle the story of the orphan train from the inside. He becomes a companion, observer, and storyteller as the group prepares for a voyage that could redefine their futures.
Full summary
The whole story of Orphan Train, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Orphan Train?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the niece of the late Reverend Simms who leads the orphan train expedition?
Orphan Train Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “El tren de los huérfanos” and “Waisen ohne Hoffnung”.
- Also known as
-
- El tren de los huérfanos
- Waisen ohne Hoffnung
- Vlak sirotků
Seen Orphan Train?
Movies Like Orphan Train
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including An Orphan’s Tragedy, Orphans and The Railway Children.
Orphan Train FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Orphan Train, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Orphan Train?
Orphan Train runs 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).
When was Orphan Train released?
Orphan Train was released on December 22, 1979.
Who directed Orphan Train?
Orphan Train was directed by William A. Graham.
More films by William A. Graham Who is in the cast of Orphan Train?
Orphan Train stars Jill Eikenberry as Emma Symms, Kevin Dobson as Frank Carlin and Peter Neuman as Ben, among 18 credited actors.
Does Orphan Train have a post-credit scene?
No. Orphan Train has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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