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“A delightful and richly thematic affair, symphonic and melodic it is in my opinion one of the best scores to be released thus far in 2022.” (Movie Music International)

“A wondrous score by Edward Farmer and Martin Phipps, which evokes that youthful sense of acceptance, fun and defiance.” (Lancashire Times)

“A nostalgic, beautifully interpreted and shot (director Matthews) and lusciously scored (Edward Farmer and Martin Phipps) sentimental treat.”  (No More Workhorse)

The Railway Children Return (Edward Farmer / Martin Phipps)

Original score from the 2022 drama adventure family film directed by Morgan Matthews, starring Sheridan Smith, Jenny Agutter and John Bradley, produced by StudioCanal UK and released by StudioCanal UK (UK) and Blue Fox Entertainment (USA).

THE STORY: A group of children who are evacuated to a Yorkshire village during the Second World War encounter a young soldier who, like them, is far away from home.

THE SCORE: The first pieces of music I wrote for the film were the cues titled ‘God’s Country’ and ‘Dreams of Home’. It was early in the edit, so I was composing just to script and a couple of short sequences, but the film already had a wonderful spirit. The characters are engaging, the cinematography beautiful, and the storytelling offers a compelling mix of childhood adventure, against a backdrop of war and oppression. We worked hard to find the right balance between darkness and light, and these two cues perhaps best reflect that. Working for director Morgan Matthews was a joy. He has a great instinct for music and a warm and collaborative approach, often moving cues around in the edit and experimenting. Working with co-composer Martin Phipps, and editor Rebecca Lloyd, we crafted a score which, I feel, is quite musical. Melodies have space to play out and develop, and several sequences were edited to these early cues, giving them a strong connection to the film. I grew up about 20 miles from where the film is set, so I also had a great sense of the people and places that surround the story. Yorkshire often gets attention for its filming locations, but to me, it’s a place rich in culture, music, art, and generosity. It’s this spirit, combined with a sense of adventure, that I tried to capture in ‘God’s Country’, and this melody develops throughout the score, featuring in the film’s great train-stopping climax.” – Edward Farmer

THE COMPOSERS: Over the past decade, Ed Farmer‘s has work has spanned major motion pictures, high-end television drama, and cutting edge factual programming. His recent individual projects as well as collaborations include sci-fi feature Beyond Existence, The Crown (Season 3 & 4), Julia For “RBG” filmmakers Julie Cohen and Betsy West, the Venice Film Festival nominated Kingdom Come, The Dark Crystal, The Bad Guys, Birds of Prey, Shallow for Emmy award-winning William Bridges, Race Across the World, The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes, Bridgerton, SAS Red Notice, Great Escapists and DNA Family Secrets.

Coming from a musical background (he is Benjamin Britten’s godson), Martin Phipps scored his first TV drama, Eureka Street in 2002. He has won 2 BAFTAs, 5 Ivor Novello Awards and received multiple Emmy nominations for writing music to many of the most interesting series of recent years. These include the BBC’s War and Peace, Hugo Blick’s The Honourable Woman, Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror and seasons three & four The Crown. His film credits include Woman In Gold (scored with Hans Zimmer), with Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren, The Aftermath, starring Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgård, Harry Brown and Brighton Rock. His score for Small Island was released by MovieScore Media in 2009.

MMS22037 THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Music Composed by EDWARD FARMER MARTIN PHIPPS
Release date (digital): July 15, 2022

Edward Farmer on MovieScore Media

Martin Phipps on MovieScore Media