Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor
Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor is a CGI-animated musical adventure film based on the television show Thomas & Friends, based on The Railway Series by Wilbert Awdry. It was released on 22 August 2017 in the US and on 16 October 2017 in the UK.[2]
| Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | David Stoten[1] |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Mark Moraghan |
Production company |
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| Distributed by | Mattel Creations |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
The film stars the voices of Joseph May in the US and John Hasler in the UK 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 his last special.
Hugh Bonneville, Lucy Montgomery, Darren Boyd, Jim Howick, Sophie Colquhoun, Colin McFarlane and Nicola Stapleton join the cast. This special deals with many traits that children have such as autism, through the Experimental Engines.[3]
This special is set in between the events of the twenty-first series and Big World! Big Adventures!
Plot
On his way to deliver a goods train to Bridlington on the Mainland, Henry suffers an accident due to a faulty signal and has to be taken to the Steamworks for repairs. Thomas is upset that Sir Topham Hatt chooses James, who has been teasing him, to take the train in Henry's place. Thomas collects the goods train before James so he can take it to Bridlington himself ("Somebody Has to be the Favo(u)rite"). However, the Troublesome Trucks disorient him and he arrives at a canal where Beresford, a crane, refuses to let Thomas pass. Thomas tricks Beresford into letting him pass through ("Who's Thomas?"). Thomas arrives at a rundown shunting yard where he meets Lexi and Theo, failed experimental engines who are no longer in service. They provide him with more coal and water but are unable to help him find his way to Bridlington.
Thomas later finds himself at a massive Steelworks factory run by Hurricane and Frankie who invite him to stay ("The Hottest Place in Town"). Thomas initially declines but the Steelworks engines eventually persuade him as it is already very late. The next morning, Thomas learns that Hurricane delivered his train to Bridlington during the night and Frankie convinces him to help out at the Steelworks as to return the favor. However, they refuse to let Thomas leave and continue to force him to work for them. Thomas laments for his friends on Sodor and mounts an unsuccessful escape ("I Want to Go Home"). Thomas attempts another escape during the night and is this time successful.
He meets Merlin, a third experimental engine who Lexi and Theo told him about and who falsely believes he has invisibility powers. Theo helps Thomas evade Hurricane and Frankie. Thomas is upset over his failures and the experimental engines remark that he is just like them ("We Can't Do Anything"). Meanwhile, on Sodor, James is begrudgingly running Thomas' branch line in his absence. Percy suggests that James go to the mainland himself to find Thomas. At Bridlington Goods Yard, James learns from the Troublesome Trucks that they were ultimately delivered by Hurricane. Hurricane, who is still there, spots James asking about Thomas.
On his way back to Sodor, Thomas meets Beresford again and sees that Hurricane and Frankie are taking James to the Steelworks. Thomas enlists the help of the experimental engines to rescue James from being captured too. Theo and Lexi distract the Steelworks engines while Thomas and Merlin try to help James escape. The plan quickly goes downhill, a wild chase ensues in the Steelworks, James is saved but Thomas is put in harm's way when he almost gets melted by molten slag. Hurricane selflessly pushes him out of the way causing his wheels to melt as a result. Frankie is upset that Hurricane will not be able to help her make deliveries and explains that they are overworked at the Steelworks, which is the reason they tried to enslave Thomas and James. Thomas suggests that the experimental engines help them out. Although they are unsure if they are capable, they are still happy to try.
On their way back to Sodor, Thomas and James apologise to each other. Thomas explains to James that being friends is more important than being the favourite ("The Most Important Thing is Being Friends"). Henry returns and asks what he missed in his absence.
Cast
| Actor/Actress | Region | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Moraghan | UK/US | The Narrator |
| John Hasler | UK | Thomas |
| Joseph May | US | |
| Rob Rackstraw | UK/US | James and the Troublesome Trucks |
| UK | Toby | |
| Nigel Pilkington | Percy | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
References
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: Journey Beyond Sodor |
- "Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor". Village Cinemas. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- "Hugh Bonneville Joins 'Thomas & Friends' for 'Journey Beyond Sodor'". ExtraTV.com. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- "Engine with autism on track for new Thomas The Tank Engine blockbuster film/". INews. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.