''The Boxcar Children'' is a 2014 American
computer-animated
Computer animation is the process used for digitally generating animations. The more general term computer-generated imagery (CGI) encompasses both static scenes ( still images) and dynamic images (moving images), while computer animation refe ...
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
adventure
An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...
film based on ''
The Boxcar Children'' by
Gertrude Chandler Warner.
Plot
''The Boxcar Children'' tells the story of four orphaned children: Henry, Jessie (or Jess), Violet, and Benny, who have evidently been orphaned for some time.
They come to a bakery to buy some bread, and ask to stay for the night. When a baker and his wife learn that the children are orphans, they plan to take in the three elder children, who are big enough to be useful in the bakery, but to send little Benny to a Children's Home. The children overhear the couple talking about this, and escape from the bakery. The bakers decide to chase them but then leave the children to go on their own.
Finding an abandoned boxcar, the children start a new life of independence. Henry ends up working various odd jobs in a nearby town Silver City for a doctor, named Dr. Moore, in order to earn money for food and other materials they need. He also does gardening for the doctor's mother. The children also find a
Wire Fox Terrier and they name him Watch. The children's lives are pleasant and full of hard work until Violet becomes ill and they go to Dr. Moore's office for assistance.
Unbeknownst to the children, by that time Dr. Moore knows very well who they are and where they are living; indeed, he has been keeping a discreet eye on them for weeks. Their grandfather, who lives nearby, has been advertising in the papers, offering a reward for news of them, but Dr. Moore hasn't wanted to spoil the children's fun by informing on them. When Violet becomes ill, however, he feels it is time to do so.
Their grandfather, a steel baron, named James Henry Alden, comes at once to see them. The doctor suggests that he gets to know them first before telling them who he is, so he is simply introduced to them as a friend of the doctor's. The children warm to his kindness and are surprised but delighted when they eventually learn that he is their much feared grandfather (but the children had been brought up to fear their grandfather, whom they had never met, because he did not approve of their parents' marriage). They go to live with him after all, and he has the boxcar transferred to his backyard for their enjoyment.
Voice cast
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Zachary Gordon
Zachary Adam Gordon (born February 15, 1998) is an American actor. He rose to prominence by playing Greg Heffley in the first three films of the '' Diary of a Wimpy Kid'' film series. He then went on to play Tate Wilson in '' Good Trouble'' and ...
as Henry Alden – Older Brother (Oldest sibling): Henry is a 14-year old boy and is the older brother. He is also the oldest sibling of all. He used to work for Dr. Moore for money. He also won the Field Day Free-For-All race. He is very caring for his younger siblings.
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Joey King
Joey Lynn King (born July 30, 1999) is an American actress. She first gained recognition for portraying Ramona Quimby in the comedy film ''Ramona and Beezus'' (2010) and has since gained wider recognition for her lead role in ''The Kissing Boot ...
as Jessie Alden – Older sister: Jessie is a 13-year old girl and is the older sister. She often makes right decisions and takes care of Henry, Violet and Benny the most. She was also the one to spot the boxcar at the first place. She became the houseworker of the boxcar. And, as she took out the thorn from Watch's (their dog) foot, Watch treats her as his master, but he likes everyone.
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Mackenzie Foy
Mackenzie Christine Foy (born November 10, 2000) is an American actress and model. She is known for portraying Renesmee Cullen in the 2012 film '' The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2'', which earned her a Young Artist Award nomination a ...
as Violet Alden – Younger sister: Violet is a 10-year old girl and is the younger sister. She loves the color purple and violet. When she and her siblings lived in the boxcar, she helped to cook and do chores. When she fell ill, Dr. Moore took her to his house. Violet likes to take care for Benny.
*Jadon Sand as Benny Alden – Younger brother (Youngest sibling): Benny is a 6-year old boy and is the younger brother. He also is the youngest of all. He is shown to have interest in lots of fairy tails. He loves to play with Watch. While they were in the boxcar, Benny helped around in doing improvements. He also got a teddy bear from Violet that he named Stockings (because the bear was made out of stockings). He is also very naughty.
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Martin Sheen
Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez (born August 3, 1940), known professionally as Martin Sheen, is an American actor. He first became known for his roles in the films ''The Subject Was Roses'' (1968) and ''Badlands'' (1973), and later achieved wid ...
as James Henry Alden – Grandfather: James Henry Alden is the grandfather of Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. At first the kids were afraid of him, so they ran away. But later on, when he came to visit Dr. Moore when Violet was ill, the kids got to know that he is very nice and so they came to live with their grandfather. As the kids missed their boxcar, grandfather gifted them by getting the boxcar in their backyard. Grandfather also hosts the Field Day competition in Silver City.
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J. K. Simmons
Jonathan Kimble Simmons (born January 9, 1955) is an American actor, considered one of the most prolific and well-established character actors of his generation. He has appeared in over 200 films and television roles since his debut in 1986. He ...
as Dr. Moore: Dr. Moore is the doctor for whom Henry worked. Dr. Moore is a kind man. He also took care of Violet when she was sick. And Dr. Moore is the same person who met the children with their grandfather.
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Illeana Douglas
Illeana Hesselberg (born July 25, 1961 or 1965), known professionally as Illeana Douglas, is an American actress and filmmaker. She appeared in three episodes of '' Six Feet Under'', for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination as O ...
as Mary Moore – Dr. Moore's houseworker: She is the one who did the cooking and other jobs of Dr. Moore's house. She also took care of the children when Violet was sick.
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D.B. Sweeney as the baker: The baker is the owner of the Chandler's Bakery, where the kids decided to stay for the night at the start of the movie. But when he decided to send Benny away, the kids ran away.
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Audrey Wasilewski as the baker's wife: The baker's wife is the owner of the Chandler's Bakery, where the kids decided to stay for the night at the start of the movie. She is rather bossy.
*Watch: Watch is the pet dog that the kids found in the woods, while they were living in the boxcar. He really loves the children.
Sequel
A sequel film, ''
The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island'', was originally planned to be released in the end of 2017. However,
Fathom Events
Fathom Events is an entertainment content provider that broadcasts entertainment events in movie theaters throughout the United States including Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, the performing arts, major sporting events, and music concerts.
The ...
released the film in select theatres starting May 8, 2018, followed by a DVD release on August 14, 2018.
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Boxcar Children
2014 animated films
2014 films
Animated films about orphans
Animated films about children
Animated films about siblings
2010s American animated films
American children's animated films
Films based on children's books
2010s English-language films