Hi all, the video was re-uploaded because since it was accidentally released at midnight last night, trying to make it public this morning killed it in the algorithm. Sorry about the confusion!
Damn......when you look at it that way this movie becomes alot more powerful...... And personal. It also explains why Diesel 10 never really threatens anyone. Not just because he's a goofy villain. But because that's not what life does. It doesn't kill your hobbies nor Dampens your imagination. It just gets in the way. A reminder you have other things to do or think about. It occupies your time. It's a deterrent. Not a destroying force. We do that to ourselves. We don't make the time. We don't keep our original personality. And when something traumatic happens.....we seldom escape those memories. Childhood is not ended with tears or staring out the window as we leave it behind. But with distraction and ignorance as the nessecities of life take over. And it's only once it's gone that we stop and wonder how we got here. When we try to revert back we can't. That's when Diesel 10 was at his most threatening. When the characters were trying to escape. So too life is most aggressive when we try to make time for ourselves.
Beautiful description, seriously. The "...the engines were determined not to be bullied by diesel" line in the film is another little gem that I think speaks to this exactly. Those moments when you are aware of life's obstacles, but refuse to surrender.
For a movie that has a lot of stuff cut out of it at the last second and was something that everyone did not expected, or even not what they wanted, at the time, the big message it still managed put out (either intentionally or not) when it released still worked, despite having to look at it in a different way to find the message
I remember reading somewhere, that Britt Allcroft got the idea for the film because she had personally met children at schools, who said they felt very connected toward their grandparents. So it all makes sense that all the points made here link back to Lily's grandpa and his extended interests. For those of us who know the film's history, Diesel 10 became a composite character, inheriting the role of the intended human villain, P. T. Boomer, who was meant to embody the 'reality' that crushes Burnett Stone's lust of escapism, with Diesel 10 serving more as a parallel figure to how he is affecting the engines and Mr. Conductor; the parallel to 'reality' crushing the idealism of the realised model world of Sodor and, thus, Burnett's passions. I can compare this with the main message of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' - the detective Eddie Valiant's life being crushed by the very things he adored in the first place, which is why the toons play second fiddle in that film in the way that the Thomas characters do in 'Magic Railroad'. Unlike 'Magic Railroad' however, 'Roger Rabbit' benefitted from a more dynamically-driven plot and skilled film directors. Britt Allcroft was new to the field doing this film after being accustomed to television work, and she was fairly pressured during the process as I understand. (On a side note, it is likely Allcroft chose not to show human characters in prominence on Sodor because live actors interacting with wooden figures would seem strange, yet the fan-made Parody elsewhere on RUclips does it that way as an intended joke, and no-one apparently minded.) Regards, Samuel.
Thanks for such a great comment, Samuel. I'm always on the fence about Boomer. The parallels of having both Diesel 10 and P.T. could work well, but I think the way it played in the workprint was not very streamlined. Diesel as the composite of them both ultimately gets the job done, IMO. Roger Rabbit is a fantastic comparison, I think you're spot on!
@@Calebtrain I actually just had a thought about your point in the film's sound design. Up to this video, I never saw the Sodor engines as sounding like models running round a larger-than-life layout. I always thought the point was that they were meant to sound as characterised trains would in an idealised reality which Sodor embodies, then contrasted to the straight-on reality of a faceless steam train in a representation of our reality. In the TV series, they did not need to show that comparison for everything was centred around the Sodor engines. You might note for instance how Toby's puffing noises in the film are distinctly attached to him in contrast to the other engines, sounding approximate to how a little steam tram engine like himself might sound. The lack of human figures in prominence on Sodor was dictated by the focus being on the engines' perspective in relation to the plot surrounding Mr. Conductor and, by extension, Burnett Stone. The letter from the rabbit was apparently inspired by Britt Allcroft noticing a carrot on the production set one day, and she changed the sequence thus from Mr. Conductor's scripted run-in with a naturalistic badger while trying to call Junior. The bellflowers were apparently enchanted by the Conductor family as a communication device, so regardless of where he is, if a bellflower is nearby, Mr. Conductor is let in right away on a call, hence he communicates to Sir Topham Hatt, who naturally thinks Mr. Conductor is calling him from his station office. Regards, Samuel.
I could add that another reason that the fantasy/reality parallel world worked in Rodger Rabbit and not in Magic Railroad, specifically when it came to Thomas, was because Sodor engines where by all intents and purposes supposed to be REAL trains, trains that just happened to possess sentients for whatever reason, whereas the toons in Toontown where by design never to be taken at face value and are inherently surreal beings by nature.
This analysis was SO brilliant! You're right, this is the thing that everyone misses about TATMR. It's not about the engines at all... It's about Burnett. HE is the main character, HE is the thread that connects everyone. This whole movie is about reclaiming your childhood optimism and wonder. It's so interesting, really. The movie was made for kids, but old man Burnett is the one with the arc, the one who grows and heals throughout the film, while the actual kid standins don't evolve at all lol. The movie doesn't work when we focus on Thomas as the main, and it doesn't work when we try to logic out how all the worlds work together... It works THEMATICALLY, to reconnect Burnett to his youth, and every scene outside of that Burnett thread just serves to facilitate his return to Sodor and therefore, to the joy and peace of his youth. You put this SO well, really makes TATMR click!
It's hard to isolate a lot of the elements at play without Burnett, he really is at the center of it all. I'm glad that this resonated so positively with you, thanks for such a nice comment! :)
I don't care if this was the original idea for the film, this is what I will believe as headcannon because holy moly is this one of the most logical and beautiful ways of interpreting this movie.
"Sodor is a giant magical play table" actually makes so much sense if you look at the context at the time of release. What was something you would see in every toy store in the late 90s and early 2000s? What was something a LOT of kids who loved this series most likely had? Those play tables of the wooden railway toy line. It was meant to make you feel like YOUR wooden train table could be a portal to Sodor too.
Thomas and the Magic Railroad has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I was kid. I've watched it well over 100 times, and never once have I looked at it this way Thomas and the Magic Railroad will now *always* remain a favourite of mine, because of this theory. Absolutely mind blowing, all the pieces connecting together, brings a tear to my eye
I'm so glad that it resonated deeply with you. I've also seen it tons of times, but it seems there's always something new I notice every viewing. Truly a nostalgic favorite!
I am exactly the same as you, it's probably my favorite Thomas movie ever even though the reviews have never been great. Looking at it this way gives it even more light though, it's such an amazing movie.
Same here! It may not be the best movie of my childhood, but it’s still better than Barney’s Great Adventure in terms of great potential! In fact, this movie DESERVES a fully-animated remake but with an updated voice cast, additional cut content, particularly with Boomer, and to make it more canon to the TV series, have Thomas be the narrator and have the magical elements be made up by Thomas! What do you guys think?
That theory is mind-blowing. I'm supportive of the film myself as well as its originality that was originally gone for. The Workprints had cut out what was originally going to be in the original scripts, the May 1999 version had a lot more with Thomas in at least four scenes: the Friendship song, the quarry scene, the waterfall, when he finds himself back on the MRR before cutting to the workshop scene and when he heroically jumps the gap himself when Lady diverts onto a siding. I do like how you made these theories about the lore of the film and some do sound interesting. My guess for the humans not on Sodor is because when you think about it, seeing a live-actor interact with a static figure face to face wouldn't suffice to the viewer's eye. As for Burnett, he is also the heart and sole of this film, the test audiences really butchered him since PT Boomer got cut and when looking at the Workprints, he really gave it his all here.
Absolutely, a real human next to a static figure would have been incredibly jarring! It makes sense, but it is eerie. And yes, it's unfortunate that so much of his performance and context for it was removed, though I think he still comes through in the final.
I must say, i'm glad to see an analysis of the movie that doesn't focus on its failure as a TTTE film. sure, that's obviously an issue with the overall production, and one has to wonder what Britt was trying to do with the characters, but I can't help but see parallels between this and the rumored plot of the cancelled Thomas film from a few years back. The Story itself as the tale of a broken man finding his way back to happiness is actually visible in the final movie and all the talk about Peter Fonda "trying too hard" really undersells what it's trying to say. Well done indeed.
The cancelled film's synopsis definitely seemed like it was taking a page from TATMR's book, to this day I'm still very curious to know what that would have looked like. Perhaps we'll have better luck with the (hopefully) upcoming Marc Forster project!
This video finally made me realize why I fell in love with Thomas & the Magic Railroad all over again. Caleb, this video has helped in more ways than one and I can't thank you enough for making such a masterpiece. You're an incredible person, keep on creating amazing art with that big heart of yours man. 💙✨
Between the Unlucky Tug's negative analysis video and his upcoming production history video, the first point of praise on your thoughts of "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" is that 'bonkers' is a tamer description than 'crap', which was slightly a bit of luck for me. Now, for your theoretical analysis video, I admire the symbolisms you've looked into with Burnett Stone being the heart of the movie, along with Lily and Thomas the Tank Engine himself, the themes of optimism and childhood, and Diesel 10 representing adult hardships. Hope to borrow some key points for my video to level the playing field on "Thomas and the Magic Railroad", if you don't mind.
I love this theory so much Caleb I recently just rewatched the movie and it made me think that maybe the world of Sodor is that "safe space" everyone dreams of having since there is no violence, no sadness, it's always bright and vibrant. Sodor is our safe haven from the real world and Thomas is the one who is always there to take us away temporarily from the real world and go back to being a kid again
My headcanon for this movie is it's just a bedtime story told by Mr. Conductor and nothing else. Lady, D10 and Splodge do exist in my canon but Lady works at Ulfstead Castle and is a normal engine and Splodge/D10 work at the Vicarstown Goods Depot from Escape and Rusty to the Rescue.
I have drafted out an alternate idea of the film, where the Sodor element had more going to it than just a figure presence among many in the arc surrounding Burnett Stone. In my take, the Sodor characters are more prominently involved, with the plot point of Burnett's engine running parallel to a question Thomas has, when he learns from Edward about an engine he once knew who helped build the Sodor railway a long time ago. I mention Edward, who ultimately was never utilised in the film despite being the character that started the whole franchise off. Edward explains that, at one point, the engine broke down and was left in a siding to await repairs, but had vanished when the men came back for her, symbolising the Conductor family deciding to adopt her as an alternate method of transport between dimensions. This would therefore make only Burnett Stone completely aware of his engine's connection between the 'idealised reality' of Sodor and the straight-on reality of his home, whilst also giving Thomas himself a bigger role in the plot. Also, my take includes the cut P. T. Boomer plot, where I actually head-on depict him as a gunman, reinforcing the grimness of reality which undermines Burnett's confidence in confronting the bigger situation on his hands. Regards, Samuel Farris.
According to the Unlucky Tug, Britt Allcroft clearly wanted to make a film about a girl and her estranged grandfather based on how the work print focused on the human characters rather than the trains of Sodor. Honestly, I think that if this was just a movie about Shining Time, it would have been pretty good. The main issue the movie had was that it broke the established rules of the show. The Island of Sodor was always meant to be set in the real world, but in Magic Railroad, it changes everything and says that it is an island only accessible through magic.
@@tankenginefanaticstudios in the railway series that the show is based on, a lot of real world places are referenced implying that it is set in the real world
This is actually a really interesting theory, really makes you ponder. Also, coming from an editing geek, i LOVEEE your editing style, so damn engaging!
Holy hell, this is just MIND-BLOWING in this context. The film that was criticized by many as the film that almost destroyed the Thomas franchise because it is nothing like Thomas and Friends and RWS….is just taking the childhood imagination of Thomas and Friends through its toy franchise and magic while battling the world of crippling reality. So, the film didn’t directly cripple the show itself. It’s technically a sacrificial lamb by telling a story about one man and his grief of loss from his past and how it will affect his present and future alongside his own innocence from his past as well by USING Thomas the Tank Engine metaphorically as the franchise rather than its world in the TVS because its so HEAVILY established to the point it would be too much of a risk for Britt to take. It could be a GALAXY BRAIN maneuver by Britt. Fantastic theory, Calebtrain.
Definitely a good theory honestly I wouldn't be surprised if this is what Britt was going for (hopefully) perfect timing with unlucky tugs video coming out reviewing the magic railroad. Now I'd say this theory could go a little further in that the toys that burnet uses for this journey could be based off of the real engines of sodor , to try and bridge the gap everything's connected up. Pretty much like a symbiotic relationship the railway series created Thomas which Thomas created shining time, shining time then greats this movie (at least how I view it ) which then the movie brings it all together. Me personally I've always loved the Mr conductor aspect of shining time (especially George Carlin , if you know his comedy you understand why I enjoy it so much ) so to bring it all back around and say it's all together it's one universe would have been amazing (almost like a spider man no way home ) Now I will say I'm in the camp even after all that's come out on the movie , that it got shafted . Weather it be test audiences removing pt boomer (think it would have impacted this theory in that boomer could have been the reason Tasha died thus the pairing at the end of boomer and diesel 10 would have made more sense in the aspect of boomer is diesel 10 in a way ) or just cutting a lot of stuff. Ultimately I think magic railroad isn't canon but I think its more important than we often regard it as , for better or for worse.
I think the movie definitely suffered from having to make the cuts so late on, though I do think it is cleaner with them. Somehow as a kid I always saw TATMR as it's own thing apart from the classic series, and it seems like a lot of other people did the same thing. I certainly found it strange, but still enjoyed it immensely when I was young.
@@Calebtrain oh yeah I'll admit it's cleaner with the cuts and Im always in a weird camp being a 99 baby I only remember seeing the movie after the whole fact. Your theory definitely gives it another lens to look at it through.
This theory really does change my view of the film in a whole new light than it originally was when I was a kid, it actually makes sense when you put it like that, it seem to explain so much about this film like why Thomas isn't the main focus despite being the titular character himself. It actually makes us relate and connect with Burrentt Stone more than before.
This was an incredible theory Caleb, well done. I don't like magic railroad for obvious reasons, but this theory has made me look on the movie in a new way. While this movie was definitely a mistake for the series, you have definitely brought more of an idea for what Brit was going for when she made this movie.
I’d like to believe this is what Britt meant, since she clearly thought they were making some kind of masterpiece, but if she had really thought of all this and just wanted it to be subtle, she would have mentioned the deeper meaning by now.
@@jockdouglass3824 Makes sense. I only learned what Shining Time Station was last year. I grew up with VHS tapes, so Magic Railroad felt as bizarre to me at the time as it did for British kids.
@@jockdouglass3824 It never occured to me that it had any past. I always thought it was just another weird quirk of the movie like the human characters and the magic, etc
Wow! I always thought how important this movie was to me in my childhood, and now I realize how important the message of making your own choices in life. Other people are too hot-headed to get this message because they were only too focused on the movie's flaws. I care very much about this movie, because Magic Railroad is what introduced me to Thomas in the first place! WITHOUT MAGIC RAILROAD, I AM NOTHING!!!
It was a staple part of my movie collection when I was young! Since you were introduced to Thomas this way, how did you find the shift going from TATMR to the series?
Tfw you just realized that the singular piece of media that almost brought down the entire TTTE franchise is also possibly the most thought provoking and symbolic, representing a story about a broken man who rejoices in relishing the magical and wonderful days of his youth:
Really brings it into more perspective, and while it doesn't save the film, it could also explain a few things and perhaps we can see it in a different light. For example, it could explain why the engines have American accents and why Sodor seems closed off from the world. If anything, the film could just be a dream within someone's head. That someone being Burnett Stone.
This interpretation is so beautiful. Probably not what was in mind while it was being made, but such a happy accident. Wonderful video, loving your new style.
I have several other things to point out that could work. Why aren’t Edward, Duck, Donald, Douglas, Oliver etc. in the movie? If the engines are toys, then who’s to say that Burnett’s not lost a few toys? Why is Sir Topham on holiday? Well, because, somehow… he might’ve known what needed to be done. Even though to an extent, Sir Topham could literally *order the scrapping of Diesel 10 on the spot* and be done with it, at the same time, that wouldn’t help Burnett. Why does Diesel 10 have a claw? Well, what if Diesel 10’s ‘toy’ was just a regular Diesel that Burnett decided to modify for pretend track repairs? Possibly ‘writing’ him as a bully character, and forgetting to pretend he changes for the good. Now, he comes back, as… the funniest thing in the whole movie. The film works in a different context, something I think many films can do. And, uh, Diesel 10 is British, he’s a Class 42 who’s just got an American voice. Y’know, might’ve made more sense if he was something like a Class 59.
Considering the confusion with the plot holes and what I’ve been going through since middle school, this makes MUCH more sense to me! That’s why I keep watching this movie, despite its many flaws… it’s this hidden meaning that I never noticed!
The way I see it is that the toy Sodor we see on the movie is the model set, if that makes sense. This may sound really complicated, but if the show is canon within the Railway Series, then perhaps this movie takes place at Shepperton Studios (or Toronto, in this case). This means that there could be two Sodors; one in the real world, and the other on a gigantic train set. I sorry if this makes anyones' heads hurt.
My headcanon is that it was all simply just a dream Thomas had one night. Non of the events in the film, especially stuff having to do with the magic element, are ever referenced in the series moving forward, so it can easily be written off as noncanon.
I've read an interpretation of TATMR, called Thomas and the Lady of Sodor. The story itself is set up as an spin off of the RWS - certain events and characters appear at xx times, changes to engines happened in xx year, etc. The story is basically 1 part introductions, as with all stories, and 2-3 parts build up, lore, rising action, etc. The bridge collapse is changed to be Elsbridge Viaduct, with some of the bridges being damaged by storms during the winter, with Elsbridge Viaduct having been one of the damaged bridges. Lady is revealed to be a one off design that inspired the GWR 101 tank engine, but was the only one built after the GWR rejected plans for her siblings. The chase does happen, with Percy participating in it since it takes place on the Ffarquhar line rather than the main.
This literally blew my mind. Like, this is deep. Side Note: I like to think that the Sodor seen in the film is actually the TV set. Meta, I know, but it makes a bit of sense, given how lightweight the engines sound.
You present a very convincing theory about the symbolism and the real meaning behind the Magic Railroad. I agree that the movie was going to go off the rails, director's cut or no director's cut, I can't deny that this theory also connects with that special generation of Thomas fans who actually got to watch this movie growing up. In many ways, our childhood innocence and imagination really connected us to this film. For me, it was the real actors that gave a twist to Thomas that intrigued me. And later in life, I was still influenced by the Magic Railroad universe in many ways. I even had my own explanation/headcanon about the Southwest American-accented tumbleweed and the mysterious "rabbit."
@@Calebtrain The "rabbit" that left Mr. Conductor the note written on tree bark is the tumbleweed. I came up with this expanding on the Shining Time Station TV series. In the TV show, it has been established that the gold dust can do more than teleport the Conductors. Such things it is capable of include bringing drawings to life (Double Trouble & Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin), repairing and creating elegant portraits (Win, Lose or Draw) and making people invisible (Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July). At one point in the episode "Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July," Mr. Conductor gets himself trapped in a rabbit cage. His small size means many woodland animals will be the size of horses or dogs to him. If his gold dust is capable of doing all the aforementioned, then it can affect animals too. How I write this into Magic Railroad is that "Rabbit" began life as a hobo traveling along the Indian Valley Railroad. At one point, he got exposed to some of the residue gold dust (something else that "Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July" established about the gold dust whenever Mr. Conductor departs). It was a larger amount than usual and that caused him to take the form of a tumbleweed. This infection also gave him the ability to travel across the Magic Railroad and the tunnels to Sodor. This is more headcanon than it is explanation but the minor details of rabbits and the tumbleweed having an American accent in Magic Railroad and the main episode "Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July" also having rabbits as a minor plot detail is basically what made me come up with this as a connection between the two.
I always felt this movie was criticized far to harshly by many (respectfully looking at you, Mr. Tug.) but now that I think on it, I believe it's partly due to them viewing this movie from the wrong angle, treating either Lilly or Thomas as the main character, but never Burnett. This theory makes so much sense to me that it honestly gave me whiplash with how many pieces of the puzzle have finally started to fall into place when looking at the fim from this angle. Neither Lilly nor Thomas were intended to be the films main focus, but rather catalysts leading the real focus, Burnett, to reconnecting with both his childhood and those still close to him. I always thought the Thomas world was meant to be real and the magic buffers were simply gateways between one place and another, but the idea that Sodor _is_ an imaginary world changes everything. Sodor representing an escapism world/safe space for Burnett changes how the film is perceived entirely, and the fact that (as you pointed out) D10 is implied to be representation of the real world taking those worlds/safe spaces away from us is very fascinating. I now imagine when D10 says "I've come back to desroy the lost engine for good" it's actually more of a metaphor for "I've come to take the last thing connecting Burnett to this world, therefor taking you all out with it." It actually makes so much sense that D10 was never a villain in a traditional sense but more the villainous embodiment of our real world taking priority over the magic and innocence of our youth that we struggle to make time for. As a side note, I like to imagine that Burnett did meet the original Mr. C at some point in his childhood, which is how he learned of Sodor and how to get there. (I feel that may also further explain his knowledge on how to make gold dust.) Anyone who knows that Shining Time was how Thomas was aired to US audiences, they'd also know that Burnett's Mr. C likely would've been the late George Carlin. I imagine the reason the films Mr. C (Alec Baldwin) doesn't know Burnett is because he wasn't the Mr. C that introduced Burnett to Thomas, but it was instead George who unfortunately passed away.
I read on TVTropes that Thomas had only about 10 minutes of screen time in the entire film... I wonder if thats accurate, I know he definitely had little screen time to some extent, but 10 minutes??
You know? For all the crap, and hate Magic Railroad gets, although somewhat understandable... there is something about it that is truly magical, especially with Burnett Stone, he lost that spark of imagination when so many bad things happened in his life. I'm pretty sure alot of folks out there probably would say the same thing too. But despite this and his grief, he manages to see that magic again, and I think we a should too. Imagination is a very magical thing indeed, and sure there are some that just don't believe it or understand it, like with Diesel 10 and P.T. Boomer, one who doesn't believe in magic, and D10 who only knows of it, just to harm it. But that's ok, Imagination is a very special thing, and a piece of many other things that I believe make Thomas so beloved by so many, even of those who aren't a fan of trains, like myself. There's just something about Thomas that really pulls me in, even though I'm not a huge train fan. And I can certainly say the same for TATMR too, even with its flaws and all. I hope I maybe made you see Magic Railroad a little differently, there is certainly something about it that, although it isn't for everyone, it still can be for some. Just like Thomas and his friends. Once again, solid video, and interesting theory too! 💛💙🤍
I'm glad you enjoyed! I absolutely agree, there is a tangible charm and appeal to it that keeps me coming back. It really does have a sense of magic to it.
For me it always begs the question when the came out 20yrs ago is that Burnett pretty much knew the engines and because of Tasha's death he had to repress the memories of his childhood and had to live in solitude in the mountains reflecting on what he could've done better to protect Lady in the process. What do you guys think? Because for me this was how Sodor was seeing it through Burnett's eyes.
This video made Tatmr actually make sense. Like it’s such a perfect theory that it’s now gonna be my canon way of describing this movie. Great job dude!!
My answer to the lack of humans aside from Mr Conductor, Junior, Lily, Patch and Burnet is merely because it would have been strange to have the little figurines alongside the human actors and the budget wouldn’t allow extras to just mimic being passengers walking along the platforms or being workmen. Sodor and Shining Time are merely in parallel universes that are bridged by the magic railroad.
It would have been super jarring for sure. As far as extras, that definitely would have increased the budget for actors/costumes, as well as it would have been a considerable VFX/compositing workload.
So with this theory, I think Thomas himself represents Butnett as well, but when he was a kid. Makes sense why he and Lilly are so close for a while in the film
I guess this theory sort of makes up for the plot holes and bad dialogue in this movie. I enjoyed this movie as a kid anyway, but not as much now as an adult. Also I still say that Diesel 10 should’ve had a background story like in all those fanmade Thomas videos I’ve watched on here.
This is my favorite video essay of yours! It really gives you a whole new view on TATMR! Not as a Thomas movie or even a Mr. Conductor movie, but an interesting movie! It also tugs at your heartstrings at points. Keep up the good work, Caleb! 👍 Also R.I.P. Peter Fonda 🙏
I have just thought of a really heart breaking origin story to Burnett stone and Tasha what if Tasha as a child was dying and the conductor family knew a way for her to be happy and healthy so they built lady and part of ladys magic made Tasha well but when diesel 10 threatened to destroy lady due to jealousy diesel 10 was also modified by the conductor family but he was always cast out everyone wanted lady everyone wanted to ride on lady but no one wanted to ride on diesel 10 he just wanted to feel like he mattered but when he didn't get that he tried to destroy lady Burnett knowing what would happen if he did destroy lady tried to fight back but realising he couldn't he tried to escape with lady but damaging her in the process therefore meaning he had to make the hard decision of making lady's magic lie dormant knowing if the magic was dormant for too long Tasha would die he tried everything to fix her but it wasn't enough and Tasha died Burnett blames himself as he chose to fight, he ran, he damaged lady and his actions lead to Tasha's death now diesel 10 realising he was unsatisfied with just the destruction of lady goes after the conductor family for making him feel like he didn't matter diesel 10 is not a villain he is just like every other engine he wanted to be really useful.
I'm not going to lie, this is the best interpretation of the movie that I've ever heard. This movie was a damn hallmark of my childhood and seeing and thinking about it in this different perspective with Burnett at the focal point is so deep and eye-opening. Thanks for that.
Is that meant to be me ill and dying on the floor in that hamsterball? I remember that viewing made this feel more like a fever dream than it already is. Great video Claleb!
Sort of, I interpret it as just a visualization of what that world of imagination could look like. In the context of the film it's technically a real place, it's moreso about what it represents thematically. Like how Oz is just "over the rainbow".
Never seen anybody else deep dive into this, but this theory gives an entirely new perspective of the film. Really enjoyed this one too, seems really well put together! I'll check out some of your other stuff.
Wow, you saw something that most others overlooked or dismissed, and what an incredible thing to reveal that the film was trying to convey all this time. This really was a Shinning Time Station film rather it being solely about Thomas. It just seems that it got lost in translation after all.
When I was 11 I loved this movie and this theory brings a whole different look at it people say this film is shining time the movie but now I see it differently now thank you and keep up the good work wish I can donate
Very intresting theory good sir. And I will say, for Magic Railroad as a whole, even if it is quite weird and may not be exactly what Thomas is all about, there is something about it, much like Thomas and his friends, that is truly magical. Ambitious, flawed, but very much magical indeed! That's how I would describe TATMR. Great video! And keep up the good work Let's keep letting the magic continue to shine, as it always does! ✨️
Honestly this movie's main shortcoming was that its NOT based on the RWS or TV series and instead took inspiration from an American exclusive spinioff (Shining Time Station) that was about as relavent as the Wii U.
The whole thing about Sodor being this literal storybook world is something that I registered even as a kid, and actually made me like the film more. I was able to register that Sodor felt more "real" in the actual episodes, but Magic Railroad was this exception where everything was dialed up to eleven, but because I held the hindsight of the RWS existing, I was able to just handwave it off as Sodor being a storybook world ala Winnie the Pooh. But this added layer to it of being a world held together by childhood innocence hits home all the more, and I think it's especially applicable given the bias and judgement that people enjoying Thomas as a franchise holds.
Omg this is such a great idea! It would be so cool if the movie was made with this idea in mind! That way it wouldn’t anger fans because it couldn’t be cannon, and would be so much of a better movie too
See I knew this movie was better than people give it for… everyone was talking about this movie and how “bad” it was but it’s personally always been my favorite… I would get backlash from liking it but I never cared thank you for this video!!!
This theory is incredible. It gave me a new perspective on how the film is watched and is interpreted, and it's honestly restored my enjoy of film, even though I think this film is to blame for the position Thomas is in now. I'd also like bring up things relating to how Diesel 10 represents the cruel nature of reality. In the final film, Diesel 10 clearly states that his goal is to destroy Lady and dominate Sodor, with the rest of Sodors engines being nothing but useless scrap. Sounds familiar. Well it should, because that is the reality of railway traction, as steam engines were being dominated by diesels' and becoming 'useless scrap.' With this knowledge, Diesel 10's connection to the cold hard truths of reality makes all the more sense. I'd also like to mention that your statement 'reality has a way of sneaking up on and grabbing you when you least expect it', perfectly summarises the scene when Diesel 10 catches up to Mr C and interrogates at the Viaduct. In fact, this metaphor of reality sneaking on and grabbing you while you least expect is probably why Diesel 10 has pinchy to begin with, being symbolic of this saying.
I think it's interesting to note as well, Pinchy allows Diesel 10 to be the only engine able to directly manipulate the world around him. From D10 mountain, to destroying the sheds scaffolding, and of course picking up Mr. C. He actually causes quite a bit of destruction!
2:36 tbf sodor is suprisngly large on a map. Like large enough to actually alter the world map.Its smaller than Ireland and Great Britian but it is a large island. It makes sense why it would exists in a different dimension if you really think about it.
4:20 I used to think that Britt was trying to create Spirited Away but with Thomas characters, then I cross referenced the release dates of both movies and it turns out Magic Railroad was released first.
They should've have added more to the movie to make it the way this theory present it, because then the audience would connect with burnett and understand it more. Also- where are the Lego Movie references???
Magic railroad ain’t perfect but I personally like it. Because of the fact it’s generally nice, action packed, and funny at times. I’ll never get why people are starting to hate on this movie because based on that new and sh**y2D animated reboot Thomas has been through way way worse.
Why did Britt decide to combined shining time and Thomas together? If you ditch shining time entirely and focus the 19 million on the engines and human green screen. (season 4 and 5 budget is in between 1 to 3 million each.) that would have elevated the look of the engines and you don’t have jarring live scenes. (I say “and” way too much.)
Not gonna lie, diezel 10 scared me so much as a child! Idk when this movie came out, but I was born in 2003, no clue how my parents got their hands on it lmao
what about splatter and dodge? i think they symbolize the attempt of reality to change children into adults pre early since they mostly act like kids. but however they grow up to stand up for themselfes
Hi all, the video was re-uploaded because since it was accidentally released at midnight last night, trying to make it public this morning killed it in the algorithm. Sorry about the confusion!
Well here in Asia it was the perfect timing lol.
@@david.d.billington110 Wow, well thanks for tuning in, haha!
@@Calebtrain So Caleb, what do you think of TATMR as a whole?
@@ShiningTimeStudios475TATMR is amazing in comparison to BWABA and on and even with the video showing a different side of it it’s still pretty bad
@@Legopandaproductions799 no one asked you
Damn......when you look at it that way this movie becomes alot more powerful...... And personal. It also explains why Diesel 10 never really threatens anyone. Not just because he's a goofy villain. But because that's not what life does. It doesn't kill your hobbies nor Dampens your imagination. It just gets in the way. A reminder you have other things to do or think about. It occupies your time. It's a deterrent. Not a destroying force. We do that to ourselves. We don't make the time. We don't keep our original personality. And when something traumatic happens.....we seldom escape those memories. Childhood is not ended with tears or staring out the window as we leave it behind. But with distraction and ignorance as the nessecities of life take over. And it's only once it's gone that we stop and wonder how we got here. When we try to revert back we can't. That's when Diesel 10 was at his most threatening. When the characters were trying to escape. So too life is most aggressive when we try to make time for ourselves.
Beautiful description, seriously. The "...the engines were determined not to be bullied by diesel" line in the film is another little gem that I think speaks to this exactly. Those moments when you are aware of life's obstacles, but refuse to surrender.
For a movie that has a lot of stuff cut out of it at the last second and was something that everyone did not expected, or even not what they wanted, at the time, the big message it still managed put out (either intentionally or not) when it released still worked, despite having to look at it in a different way to find the message
Is “I’m gonna destroy her, and dominate you! And then, you’ll be nothing but useless SCRAP” not a threat of some kind?
I remember reading somewhere, that Britt Allcroft got the idea for the film because she had personally met children at schools, who said they felt very connected toward their grandparents. So it all makes sense that all the points made here link back to Lily's grandpa and his extended interests. For those of us who know the film's history, Diesel 10 became a composite character, inheriting the role of the intended human villain, P. T. Boomer, who was meant to embody the 'reality' that crushes Burnett Stone's lust of escapism, with Diesel 10 serving more as a parallel figure to how he is affecting the engines and Mr. Conductor; the parallel to 'reality' crushing the idealism of the realised model world of Sodor and, thus, Burnett's passions. I can compare this with the main message of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' - the detective Eddie Valiant's life being crushed by the very things he adored in the first place, which is why the toons play second fiddle in that film in the way that the Thomas characters do in 'Magic Railroad'. Unlike 'Magic Railroad' however, 'Roger Rabbit' benefitted from a more dynamically-driven plot and skilled film directors. Britt Allcroft was new to the field doing this film after being accustomed to television work, and she was fairly pressured during the process as I understand.
(On a side note, it is likely Allcroft chose not to show human characters in prominence on Sodor because live actors interacting with wooden figures would seem strange, yet the fan-made Parody elsewhere on RUclips does it that way as an intended joke, and no-one apparently minded.)
Regards, Samuel.
Thanks for such a great comment, Samuel. I'm always on the fence about Boomer. The parallels of having both Diesel 10 and P.T. could work well, but I think the way it played in the workprint was not very streamlined. Diesel as the composite of them both ultimately gets the job done, IMO. Roger Rabbit is a fantastic comparison, I think you're spot on!
@@Calebtrain I actually just had a thought about your point in the film's sound design. Up to this video, I never saw the Sodor engines as sounding like models running round a larger-than-life layout. I always thought the point was that they were meant to sound as characterised trains would in an idealised reality which Sodor embodies, then contrasted to the straight-on reality of a faceless steam train in a representation of our reality. In the TV series, they did not need to show that comparison for everything was centred around the Sodor engines. You might note for instance how Toby's puffing noises in the film are distinctly attached to him in contrast to the other engines, sounding approximate to how a little steam tram engine like himself might sound.
The lack of human figures in prominence on Sodor was dictated by the focus being on the engines' perspective in relation to the plot surrounding Mr. Conductor and, by extension, Burnett Stone. The letter from the rabbit was apparently inspired by Britt Allcroft noticing a carrot on the production set one day, and she changed the sequence thus from Mr. Conductor's scripted run-in with a naturalistic badger while trying to call Junior. The bellflowers were apparently enchanted by the Conductor family as a communication device, so regardless of where he is, if a bellflower is nearby, Mr. Conductor is let in right away on a call, hence he communicates to Sir Topham Hatt, who naturally thinks Mr. Conductor is calling him from his station office.
Regards, Samuel.
I could add that another reason that the fantasy/reality parallel world worked in Rodger Rabbit and not in Magic Railroad, specifically when it came to Thomas, was because Sodor engines where by all intents and purposes supposed to be REAL trains, trains that just happened to possess sentients for whatever reason, whereas the toons in Toontown where by design never to be taken at face value and are inherently surreal beings by nature.
This analysis was SO brilliant! You're right, this is the thing that everyone misses about TATMR. It's not about the engines at all... It's about Burnett. HE is the main character, HE is the thread that connects everyone.
This whole movie is about reclaiming your childhood optimism and wonder. It's so interesting, really. The movie was made for kids, but old man Burnett is the one with the arc, the one who grows and heals throughout the film, while the actual kid standins don't evolve at all lol. The movie doesn't work when we focus on Thomas as the main, and it doesn't work when we try to logic out how all the worlds work together... It works THEMATICALLY, to reconnect Burnett to his youth, and every scene outside of that Burnett thread just serves to facilitate his return to Sodor and therefore, to the joy and peace of his youth. You put this SO well, really makes TATMR click!
It's hard to isolate a lot of the elements at play without Burnett, he really is at the center of it all. I'm glad that this resonated so positively with you, thanks for such a nice comment! :)
The movie should've been called "Burnett" if that's the case.
I don't care if this was the original idea for the film, this is what I will believe as headcannon because holy moly is this one of the most logical and beautiful ways of interpreting this movie.
I'm really glad it landed for you :)
Agreed! As confusing as it is, at least I can make sense out of it unlike SOME movies!!!
*cough Oogieloves *cough
Honestly never thought of it that way. Burnett is a crucial character, but never really saw it so deeply
He really thought we wouldn't notice
"Sodor is a giant magical play table" actually makes so much sense if you look at the context at the time of release. What was something you would see in every toy store in the late 90s and early 2000s? What was something a LOT of kids who loved this series most likely had? Those play tables of the wooden railway toy line.
It was meant to make you feel like YOUR wooden train table could be a portal to Sodor too.
100% this!
Peter Fonda was a wise casting choice for Burnett, May he rest in peace.
8:26
"He's Crude."
"He's Clawed."
"And He's not British."
Best description of Diesel 10 ever, 10/10 for devious truth and brutal honesty.
Thomas and the Magic Railroad has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I was kid. I've watched it well over 100 times, and never once have I looked at it this way
Thomas and the Magic Railroad will now *always* remain a favourite of mine, because of this theory. Absolutely mind blowing, all the pieces connecting together, brings a tear to my eye
I'm so glad that it resonated deeply with you. I've also seen it tons of times, but it seems there's always something new I notice every viewing. Truly a nostalgic favorite!
I am exactly the same as you, it's probably my favorite Thomas movie ever even though the reviews have never been great. Looking at it this way gives it even more light though, it's such an amazing movie.
Same here! It may not be the best movie of my childhood, but it’s still better than Barney’s Great Adventure in terms of great potential! In fact, this movie DESERVES a fully-animated remake but with an updated voice cast, additional cut content, particularly with Boomer, and to make it more canon to the TV series, have Thomas be the narrator and have the magical elements be made up by Thomas! What do you guys think?
Yeah! I've always seen it as a metaphor too, the idea of magic returning is like the metaphorical magic returning to Burnett
I always thought it meant *something*, but never gave it enough thought until I was putting some video ideas together
That theory is mind-blowing. I'm supportive of the film myself as well as its originality that was originally gone for. The Workprints had cut out what was originally going to be in the original scripts, the May 1999 version had a lot more with Thomas in at least four scenes: the Friendship song, the quarry scene, the waterfall, when he finds himself back on the MRR before cutting to the workshop scene and when he heroically jumps the gap himself when Lady diverts onto a siding.
I do like how you made these theories about the lore of the film and some do sound interesting. My guess for the humans not on Sodor is because when you think about it, seeing a live-actor interact with a static figure face to face wouldn't suffice to the viewer's eye.
As for Burnett, he is also the heart and sole of this film, the test audiences really butchered him since PT Boomer got cut and when looking at the Workprints, he really gave it his all here.
Absolutely, a real human next to a static figure would have been incredibly jarring! It makes sense, but it is eerie. And yes, it's unfortunate that so much of his performance and context for it was removed, though I think he still comes through in the final.
I must say, i'm glad to see an analysis of the movie that doesn't focus on its failure as a TTTE film. sure, that's obviously an issue with the overall production, and one has to wonder what Britt was trying to do with the characters, but I can't help but see parallels between this and the rumored plot of the cancelled Thomas film from a few years back.
The Story itself as the tale of a broken man finding his way back to happiness is actually visible in the final movie and all the talk about Peter Fonda "trying too hard" really undersells what it's trying to say.
Well done indeed.
The cancelled film's synopsis definitely seemed like it was taking a page from TATMR's book, to this day I'm still very curious to know what that would have looked like. Perhaps we'll have better luck with the (hopefully) upcoming Marc Forster project!
This video finally made me realize why I fell in love with Thomas & the Magic Railroad all over again. Caleb, this video has helped in more ways than one and I can't thank you enough for making such a masterpiece. You're an incredible person, keep on creating amazing art with that big heart of yours man. 💙✨
I'm so happy that you enjoyed, it's nice that so many people are able to come together through fond memories of Thomas.
Between the Unlucky Tug's negative analysis video and his upcoming production history video, the first point of praise on your thoughts of "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" is that 'bonkers' is a tamer description than 'crap', which was slightly a bit of luck for me. Now, for your theoretical analysis video, I admire the symbolisms you've looked into with Burnett Stone being the heart of the movie, along with Lily and Thomas the Tank Engine himself, the themes of optimism and childhood, and Diesel 10 representing adult hardships. Hope to borrow some key points for my video to level the playing field on "Thomas and the Magic Railroad", if you don't mind.
Absolutely, I hope your own video's production goes smoothly, and I'm glad that my thoughts made enough sense to merit further thought!
I love this theory so much Caleb I recently just rewatched the movie and it made me think that maybe the world of Sodor is that "safe space" everyone dreams of having since there is no violence, no sadness, it's always bright and vibrant. Sodor is our safe haven from the real world and Thomas is the one who is always there to take us away temporarily from the real world and go back to being a kid again
I think a safe space is another great way to look at it. It's definitely a place of escapism for me!
My headcanon for this movie is it's just a bedtime story told by Mr. Conductor and nothing else. Lady, D10 and Splodge do exist in my canon but Lady works at Ulfstead Castle and is a normal engine and Splodge/D10 work at the Vicarstown Goods Depot from Escape and Rusty to the Rescue.
Lady would be a fun addition to Ulfstead!
I have drafted out an alternate idea of the film, where the Sodor element had more going to it than just a figure presence among many in the arc surrounding Burnett Stone. In my take, the Sodor characters are more prominently involved, with the plot point of Burnett's engine running parallel to a question Thomas has, when he learns from Edward about an engine he once knew who helped build the Sodor railway a long time ago. I mention Edward, who ultimately was never utilised in the film despite being the character that started the whole franchise off. Edward explains that, at one point, the engine broke down and was left in a siding to await repairs, but had vanished when the men came back for her, symbolising the Conductor family deciding to adopt her as an alternate method of transport between dimensions. This would therefore make only Burnett Stone completely aware of his engine's connection between the 'idealised reality' of Sodor and the straight-on reality of his home, whilst also giving Thomas himself a bigger role in the plot. Also, my take includes the cut P. T. Boomer plot, where I actually head-on depict him as a gunman, reinforcing the grimness of reality which undermines Burnett's confidence in confronting the bigger situation on his hands.
Regards, Samuel Farris.
Edward having a prominent role would have been nice to see, I'm glad he's getting some love in your version!
I never realized how important the message was! Well, you know what they say, " Helping each other brings to life the magic in all of us!". 😊
Absolutely that, it's the simple things :)
I'm so happy to see such an awesome positive perspective on this eccentric yet iconic film. Thanks for the theory!
Wow, thank you so much--the support really means a lot. It's certainly one-of-a-kind, but it was very precious to me when I was young.
According to the Unlucky Tug, Britt Allcroft clearly wanted to make a film about a girl and her estranged grandfather based on how the work print focused on the human characters rather than the trains of Sodor. Honestly, I think that if this was just a movie about Shining Time, it would have been pretty good. The main issue the movie had was that it broke the established rules of the show. The Island of Sodor was always meant to be set in the real world, but in Magic Railroad, it changes everything and says that it is an island only accessible through magic.
Who cares? It's a movie about talking trains. Why should a Magic Railroad be unbelievable?
@@tankenginefanaticstudios in the railway series that the show is based on, a lot of real world places are referenced implying that it is set in the real world
@@mustin07doesgaming I don't care, it's still a show about talking trains.
@@tankenginefanaticstudios it still deviated from what the show was originally about which is why the Unlucky Tug said it derailed the franchise
@@mustin07doesgaming screw The Unlucky Tug.
This is actually a really interesting theory, really makes you ponder. Also, coming from an editing geek, i LOVEEE your editing style, so damn engaging!
Thanks so much! I’m having a lot of fun trying something new :)
The way I forgot this movie existed and got to be reminded and get a deep dive at the same time??? Amazing!
um HELLO what are you doing here?! 😂 Hahaha thank you!
@@Calebtrain hehhehehhehehehe getting some stellar thomas the train content thats wHAT
“Sometimes, the best travels are those we can only dream about…”
Funny how themes can run in multiple works from the same creator.
Holy hell, this is just MIND-BLOWING in this context. The film that was criticized by many as the film that almost destroyed the Thomas franchise because it is nothing like Thomas and Friends and RWS….is just taking the childhood imagination of Thomas and Friends through its toy franchise and magic while battling the world of crippling reality.
So, the film didn’t directly cripple the show itself. It’s technically a sacrificial lamb by telling a story about one man and his grief of loss from his past and how it will affect his present and future alongside his own innocence from his past as well by USING Thomas the Tank Engine metaphorically as the franchise rather than its world in the TVS because its so HEAVILY established to the point it would be too much of a risk for Britt to take.
It could be a GALAXY BRAIN maneuver by Britt. Fantastic theory, Calebtrain.
Definitely a good theory honestly I wouldn't be surprised if this is what Britt was going for (hopefully) perfect timing with unlucky tugs video coming out reviewing the magic railroad. Now I'd say this theory could go a little further in that the toys that burnet uses for this journey could be based off of the real engines of sodor , to try and bridge the gap everything's connected up. Pretty much like a symbiotic relationship the railway series created Thomas which Thomas created shining time, shining time then greats this movie (at least how I view it ) which then the movie brings it all together. Me personally I've always loved the Mr conductor aspect of shining time (especially George Carlin , if you know his comedy you understand why I enjoy it so much ) so to bring it all back around and say it's all together it's one universe would have been amazing (almost like a spider man no way home )
Now I will say I'm in the camp even after all that's come out on the movie , that it got shafted . Weather it be test audiences removing pt boomer (think it would have impacted this theory in that boomer could have been the reason Tasha died thus the pairing at the end of boomer and diesel 10 would have made more sense in the aspect of boomer is diesel 10 in a way ) or just cutting a lot of stuff. Ultimately I think magic railroad isn't canon but I think its more important than we often regard it as , for better or for worse.
I think the movie definitely suffered from having to make the cuts so late on, though I do think it is cleaner with them. Somehow as a kid I always saw TATMR as it's own thing apart from the classic series, and it seems like a lot of other people did the same thing. I certainly found it strange, but still enjoyed it immensely when I was young.
@@Calebtrain oh yeah I'll admit it's cleaner with the cuts and Im always in a weird camp being a 99 baby I only remember seeing the movie after the whole fact. Your theory definitely gives it another lens to look at it through.
Never thought a Calebtrain video would blow my mind... mentally...
I've got superglue if you've still got the pieces 🤯
This theory really does change my view of the film in a whole new light than it originally was when I was a kid, it actually makes sense when you put it like that, it seem to explain so much about this film like why Thomas isn't the main focus despite being the titular character himself. It actually makes us relate and connect with Burrentt Stone more than before.
I like to think Britt designed it so you can watch it from two viewpoints when you are younger, and when you're older.
Your theory certainly seem to add a whole new meaning to everything in this film and I like that. 👍
This was an incredible theory Caleb, well done.
I don't like magic railroad for obvious reasons, but this theory has made me look on the movie in a new way.
While this movie was definitely a mistake for the series, you have definitely brought more of an idea for what Brit was going for when she made this movie.
Agreed that it didn't jive with the series. I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall in those story meetings
I’d like to believe this is what Britt meant, since she clearly thought they were making some kind of masterpiece, but if she had really thought of all this and just wanted it to be subtle, she would have mentioned the deeper meaning by now.
I'm pretty sure she wanted to bring shining time Station back from the dead and make money
@@jockdouglass3824 Makes sense. I only learned what Shining Time Station was last year. I grew up with VHS tapes, so Magic Railroad felt as bizarre to me at the time as it did for British kids.
@@trailduster6bt I only learned about it from the movie I was shocked to find out it's past
@@jockdouglass3824 It never occured to me that it had any past. I always thought it was just another weird quirk of the movie like the human characters and the magic, etc
@@trailduster6bt yea
Wow! I always thought how important this movie was to me in my childhood, and now I realize how important the message of making your own choices in life. Other people are too hot-headed to get this message because they were only too focused on the movie's flaws. I care very much about this movie, because Magic Railroad is what introduced me to Thomas in the first place! WITHOUT MAGIC RAILROAD, I AM NOTHING!!!
It was a staple part of my movie collection when I was young! Since you were introduced to Thomas this way, how did you find the shift going from TATMR to the series?
@@Calebtrain It was when I was 3 or 4 when my mom got me some Thomas DVDs and toys
“That’s not real, that’s just a toy! A big blue toy that I can control it, anyway I want!” - P.T Boomer in the May 1999 script
Wow, that one's pretty on the nose haha
Tfw you just realized that the singular piece of media that almost brought down the entire TTTE franchise is also possibly the most thought provoking and symbolic, representing a story about a broken man who rejoices in relishing the magical and wonderful days of his youth:
Very much a double-edged sword.
Really brings it into more perspective, and while it doesn't save the film, it could also explain a few things and perhaps we can see it in a different light.
For example, it could explain why the engines have American accents and why Sodor seems closed off from the world. If anything, the film could just be a dream within someone's head. That someone being Burnett Stone.
I absolutely think the accents make an intentional contrast between the characters. Splatter and Dodge sound Jersey-ish, too!
@@Calebtrain Indeed.
This interpretation is so beautiful. Probably not what was in mind while it was being made, but such a happy accident. Wonderful video, loving your new style.
I'm glad you're enjoying it! I'm having a lot of fun with it, too.
Unlucky Tug needs to see this
I'd be very curious to hear his thoughts on this interpretation!
I have several other things to point out that could work.
Why aren’t Edward, Duck, Donald, Douglas, Oliver etc. in the movie? If the engines are toys, then who’s to say that Burnett’s not lost a few toys?
Why is Sir Topham on holiday? Well, because, somehow… he might’ve known what needed to be done. Even though to an extent, Sir Topham could literally *order the scrapping of Diesel 10 on the spot* and be done with it, at the same time, that wouldn’t help Burnett.
Why does Diesel 10 have a claw? Well, what if Diesel 10’s ‘toy’ was just a regular Diesel that Burnett decided to modify for pretend track repairs? Possibly ‘writing’ him as a bully character, and forgetting to pretend he changes for the good. Now, he comes back, as… the funniest thing in the whole movie.
The film works in a different context, something I think many films can do.
And, uh, Diesel 10 is British, he’s a Class 42 who’s just got an American voice. Y’know, might’ve made more sense if he was something like a Class 59.
Considering the confusion with the plot holes and what I’ve been going through since middle school, this makes MUCH more sense to me!
That’s why I keep watching this movie, despite its many flaws… it’s this hidden meaning that I never noticed!
I’m glad it makes sense to you! Thanks for watching!
The way I see it is that the toy Sodor we see on the movie is the model set, if that makes sense.
This may sound really complicated, but if the show is canon within the Railway Series, then perhaps this movie takes place at Shepperton Studios (or Toronto, in this case).
This means that there could be two Sodors; one in the real world, and the other on a gigantic train set.
I sorry if this makes anyones' heads hurt.
I haven't seen the movie in years yet your explanation is so thought provoking. I feel like watching this unironically now.
It's definitely got a lot going on, but I think there's a real heart to it.
Caleb!! This has blown my mind away!!
I hope you can retrieve it! Haha thank you :D
My headcanon is that it was all simply just a dream Thomas had one night. Non of the events in the film, especially stuff having to do with the magic element, are ever referenced in the series moving forward, so it can easily be written off as noncanon.
Lady only ever appears again in a dream, so I see where you're coming from!
I've read an interpretation of TATMR, called Thomas and the Lady of Sodor. The story itself is set up as an spin off of the RWS - certain events and characters appear at xx times, changes to engines happened in xx year, etc. The story is basically 1 part introductions, as with all stories, and 2-3 parts build up, lore, rising action, etc. The bridge collapse is changed to be Elsbridge Viaduct, with some of the bridges being damaged by storms during the winter, with Elsbridge Viaduct having been one of the damaged bridges. Lady is revealed to be a one off design that inspired the GWR 101 tank engine, but was the only one built after the GWR rejected plans for her siblings. The chase does happen, with Percy participating in it since it takes place on the Ffarquhar line rather than the main.
Percy being in it would have been cool!
@@Calebtrain want a link?
This literally blew my mind. Like, this is deep.
Side Note: I like to think that the Sodor seen in the film is actually the TV set. Meta, I know, but it makes a bit of sense, given how lightweight the engines sound.
It’s a shame that one of the actors have been arrested for shooting during filming of another movie.
Very unfortunate story.
You present a very convincing theory about the symbolism and the real meaning behind the Magic Railroad. I agree that the movie was going to go off the rails, director's cut or no director's cut, I can't deny that this theory also connects with that special generation of Thomas fans who actually got to watch this movie growing up. In many ways, our childhood innocence and imagination really connected us to this film. For me, it was the real actors that gave a twist to Thomas that intrigued me. And later in life, I was still influenced by the Magic Railroad universe in many ways. I even had my own explanation/headcanon about the Southwest American-accented tumbleweed and the mysterious "rabbit."
What's your explanation? I agree, the live action actors made this special for me as a kid.
@@Calebtrain The "rabbit" that left Mr. Conductor the note written on tree bark is the tumbleweed. I came up with this expanding on the Shining Time Station TV series. In the TV show, it has been established that the gold dust can do more than teleport the Conductors. Such things it is capable of include bringing drawings to life (Double Trouble & Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin), repairing and creating elegant portraits (Win, Lose or Draw) and making people invisible (Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July). At one point in the episode "Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July," Mr. Conductor gets himself trapped in a rabbit cage. His small size means many woodland animals will be the size of horses or dogs to him. If his gold dust is capable of doing all the aforementioned, then it can affect animals too. How I write this into Magic Railroad is that "Rabbit" began life as a hobo traveling along the Indian Valley Railroad. At one point, he got exposed to some of the residue gold dust (something else that "Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July" established about the gold dust whenever Mr. Conductor departs). It was a larger amount than usual and that caused him to take the form of a tumbleweed. This infection also gave him the ability to travel across the Magic Railroad and the tunnels to Sodor. This is more headcanon than it is explanation but the minor details of rabbits and the tumbleweed having an American accent in Magic Railroad and the main episode "Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July" also having rabbits as a minor plot detail is basically what made me come up with this as a connection between the two.
I always felt this movie was criticized far to harshly by many (respectfully looking at you, Mr. Tug.) but now that I think on it, I believe it's partly due to them viewing this movie from the wrong angle, treating either Lilly or Thomas as the main character, but never Burnett.
This theory makes so much sense to me that it honestly gave me whiplash with how many pieces of the puzzle have finally started to fall into place when looking at the fim from this angle.
Neither Lilly nor Thomas were intended to be the films main focus, but rather catalysts leading the real focus, Burnett, to reconnecting with both his childhood and those still close to him.
I always thought the Thomas world was meant to be real and the magic buffers were simply gateways between one place and another, but the idea that Sodor _is_ an imaginary world changes everything.
Sodor representing an escapism world/safe space for Burnett changes how the film is perceived entirely, and the fact that (as you pointed out) D10 is implied to be representation of the real world taking those worlds/safe spaces away from us is very fascinating.
I now imagine when D10 says "I've come back to desroy the lost engine for good" it's actually more of a metaphor for "I've come to take the last thing connecting Burnett to this world, therefor taking you all out with it."
It actually makes so much sense that D10 was never a villain in a traditional sense but more the villainous embodiment of our real world taking priority over the magic and innocence of our youth that we struggle to make time for.
As a side note, I like to imagine that Burnett did meet the original Mr. C at some point in his childhood, which is how he learned of Sodor and how to get there. (I feel that may also further explain his knowledge on how to make gold dust.)
Anyone who knows that Shining Time was how Thomas was aired to US audiences, they'd also know that Burnett's Mr. C likely would've been the late George Carlin.
I imagine the reason the films Mr. C (Alec Baldwin) doesn't know Burnett is because he wasn't the Mr. C that introduced Burnett to Thomas, but it was instead George who unfortunately passed away.
I read on TVTropes that Thomas had only about 10 minutes of screen time in the entire film... I wonder if thats accurate, I know he definitely had little screen time to some extent, but 10 minutes??
It's pretty crazy! Aurora only has 18 minutes of screen time in Sleeping Beauty--funny how those things can end up.
@@Calebtrain no way fr? sleeping beauty was a household name growing up cuz I have a sister who loved Disney
You know? For all the crap, and hate Magic Railroad gets, although somewhat understandable... there is something about it that is truly magical, especially with Burnett Stone, he lost that spark of imagination when so many bad things happened in his life. I'm pretty sure alot of folks out there probably would say the same thing too. But despite this and his grief, he manages to see that magic again, and I think we a should too. Imagination is a very magical thing indeed, and sure there are some that just don't believe it or understand it, like with Diesel 10 and P.T. Boomer, one who doesn't believe in magic, and D10 who only knows of it, just to harm it. But that's ok, Imagination is a very special thing, and a piece of many other things that I believe make Thomas so beloved by so many, even of those who aren't a fan of trains, like myself. There's just something about Thomas that really pulls me in, even though I'm not a huge train fan. And I can certainly say the same for TATMR too, even with its flaws and all. I hope I maybe made you see Magic Railroad a little differently, there is certainly something about it that, although it isn't for everyone, it still can be for some. Just like Thomas and his friends. Once again, solid video, and interesting theory too! 💛💙🤍
I'm glad you enjoyed! I absolutely agree, there is a tangible charm and appeal to it that keeps me coming back. It really does have a sense of magic to it.
For me it always begs the question when the came out 20yrs ago is that Burnett pretty much knew the engines and because of Tasha's death he had to repress the memories of his childhood and had to live in solitude in the mountains reflecting on what he could've done better to protect Lady in the process. What do you guys think? Because for me this was how Sodor was seeing it through Burnett's eyes.
He certainly was burdened. I'd have loved to see some flashbacks of Burnett interacting with the engines on Sodor.
@@Calebtrain do you think you can make an episode like that possible?
My theory was the movie was try to teach about the importance of imagination and family.
I agree!
This video made Tatmr actually make sense. Like it’s such a perfect theory that it’s now gonna be my canon way of describing this movie. Great job dude!!
Thanks so much, I’m glad you liked it!
My answer to the lack of humans aside from Mr Conductor, Junior, Lily, Patch and Burnet is merely because it would have been strange to have the little figurines alongside the human actors and the budget wouldn’t allow extras to just mimic being passengers walking along the platforms or being workmen. Sodor and Shining Time are merely in parallel universes that are bridged by the magic railroad.
It would have been super jarring for sure. As far as extras, that definitely would have increased the budget for actors/costumes, as well as it would have been a considerable VFX/compositing workload.
Why couldn't they have took a different direction and animated the people and sir tophom hat as 2d caricatures
I like to think that the entire movie is just a dream Thomas has
So with this theory, I think Thomas himself represents Butnett as well, but when he was a kid. Makes sense why he and Lilly are so close for a while in the film
I guess this theory sort of makes up for the plot holes and bad dialogue in this movie. I enjoyed this movie as a kid anyway, but not as much now as an adult. Also I still say that Diesel 10 should’ve had a background story like in all those fanmade Thomas videos I’ve watched on here.
I always enjoy the Diesel 10 backstories, he's a really fun character.
This is my favorite video essay of yours! It really gives you a whole new view on TATMR! Not as a Thomas movie or even a Mr. Conductor movie, but an interesting movie! It also tugs at your heartstrings at points. Keep up the good work, Caleb! 👍
Also R.I.P. Peter Fonda 🙏
I have just thought of a really heart breaking origin story to Burnett stone and Tasha what if Tasha as a child was dying and the conductor family knew a way for her to be happy and healthy so they built lady and part of ladys magic made Tasha well but when diesel 10 threatened to destroy lady due to jealousy diesel 10 was also modified by the conductor family but he was always cast out everyone wanted lady everyone wanted to ride on lady but no one wanted to ride on diesel 10 he just wanted to feel like he mattered but when he didn't get that he tried to destroy lady Burnett knowing what would happen if he did destroy lady tried to fight back but realising he couldn't he tried to escape with lady but damaging her in the process therefore meaning he had to make the hard decision of making lady's magic lie dormant knowing if the magic was dormant for too long Tasha would die he tried everything to fix her but it wasn't enough and Tasha died Burnett blames himself as he chose to fight, he ran, he damaged lady and his actions lead to Tasha's death now diesel 10 realising he was unsatisfied with just the destruction of lady goes after the conductor family for making him feel like he didn't matter diesel 10 is not a villain he is just like every other engine he wanted to be really useful.
That's a really unique take, I think Diesel 10 would be prone to resentment, and it certainly would be tragic if he only ever wanted to be useful.
It never bothered me that there weren't any people around in the Sodor segments, I always just assumed they were off-screen.
8:28 He should’ve been voiced by Keith Scott or Dan Povenmire
Or John DiMaggio or Keith David.
The Beginning tho 💀
we like to have fun here xD
Bro you put into words what little kid me saw but never quite understood, thank you
I'm glad it resonated with you :)
I'm not going to lie, this is the best interpretation of the movie that I've ever heard. This movie was a damn hallmark of my childhood and seeing and thinking about it in this different perspective with Burnett at the focal point is so deep and eye-opening. Thanks for that.
Well, this movie makes far more sense when you put it that way 😐 and I really like how diesel 10 is pretty much a symbol of reality 💞🤔
It makes things line up a little better in my mind, at least!
Is that meant to be me ill and dying on the floor in that hamsterball? I remember that viewing made this feel more like a fever dream than it already is. Great video Claleb!
I can neither confirm nor deny... 🐹 Thanks James!
So Sodor in the movie is a product of Burnett's own mind?
Sort of, I interpret it as just a visualization of what that world of imagination could look like. In the context of the film it's technically a real place, it's moreso about what it represents thematically. Like how Oz is just "over the rainbow".
@@Calebtrain Oooh
Never seen anybody else deep dive into this, but this theory gives an entirely new perspective of the film. Really enjoyed this one too, seems really well put together! I'll check out some of your other stuff.
Thanks so much for checking out the channel! I’m just getting started with this new format for videos 😃
I loved this movie as a kid and hearing this kinda proves that it’s an underrated gem.
It’s certainly flawed, but I definitely agree it’s got enough heart to make it pretty special
Wow, you saw something that most others overlooked or dismissed, and what an incredible thing to reveal that the film was trying to convey all this time.
This really was a Shinning Time Station film rather it being solely about Thomas.
It just seems that it got lost in translation after all.
There are a lot of elements at play for sure, which is a shame because the good gets kinda lost in the shuffle.
When I was 11 I loved this movie and this theory brings a whole different look at it people say this film is shining time the movie but now I see it differently now thank you and keep up the good work wish I can donate
I’m really glad it resonated with you!
This is the best, this was what britt was trying to make and it works better in this perspective
I'm glad it made sense to you!
Very intresting theory good sir. And I will say, for Magic Railroad as a whole, even if it is quite weird and may not be exactly what Thomas is all about, there is something about it, much like Thomas and his friends, that is truly magical. Ambitious, flawed, but very much magical indeed! That's how I would describe TATMR.
Great video! And keep up the good work
Let's keep letting the magic continue to shine, as it always does! ✨️
Flawed but magical is something I agree with whole-heartedly. It's always had a certain charm to it. ✨
@@Calebtrain indeed!
I Will never see magic railroad the same again.
I feel like I see something new every viewing
this definitely isn’t my favorite movie but you made me like the movie more than i ever had
Honestly this movie's main shortcoming was that its NOT based on the RWS or TV series and instead took inspiration from an American exclusive spinioff (Shining Time Station) that was about as relavent as the Wii U.
This kind of reminds me of that really sad sonic eggman short film where sonic was this guy as a kid and the egg man was him as an adult
that sounds deep
The whole thing about Sodor being this literal storybook world is something that I registered even as a kid, and actually made me like the film more. I was able to register that Sodor felt more "real" in the actual episodes, but Magic Railroad was this exception where everything was dialed up to eleven, but because I held the hindsight of the RWS existing, I was able to just handwave it off as Sodor being a storybook world ala Winnie the Pooh. But this added layer to it of being a world held together by childhood innocence hits home all the more, and I think it's especially applicable given the bias and judgement that people enjoying Thomas as a franchise holds.
This theory really gives this movie a whole new perspective
I think it’s fun to think about :)
Very interesting analysis. TATMR was definitely a childhood favorite of mine.
Same here. :)
Omg this is such a great idea! It would be so cool if the movie was made with this idea in mind! That way it wouldn’t anger fans because it couldn’t be cannon, and would be so much of a better movie too
See I knew this movie was better than people give it for… everyone was talking about this movie and how “bad” it was but it’s personally always been my favorite… I would get backlash from liking it but I never cared thank you for this video!!!
It's a personal favorite of mine too--certainly flawed, but nonetheless it brings me a lot of joy.
This theory is incredible. It gave me a new perspective on how the film is watched and is interpreted, and it's honestly restored my enjoy of film, even though I think this film is to blame for the position Thomas is in now.
I'd also like bring up things relating to how Diesel 10 represents the cruel nature of reality. In the final film, Diesel 10 clearly states that his goal is to destroy Lady and dominate Sodor, with the rest of Sodors engines being nothing but useless scrap.
Sounds familiar. Well it should, because that is the reality of railway traction, as steam engines were being dominated by diesels' and becoming 'useless scrap.' With this knowledge, Diesel 10's connection to the cold hard truths of reality makes all the more sense.
I'd also like to mention that your statement 'reality has a way of sneaking up on and grabbing you when you least expect it', perfectly summarises the scene when Diesel 10 catches up to Mr C and interrogates at the Viaduct.
In fact, this metaphor of reality sneaking on and grabbing you while you least expect is probably why Diesel 10 has pinchy to begin with, being symbolic of this saying.
I think it's interesting to note as well, Pinchy allows Diesel 10 to be the only engine able to directly manipulate the world around him. From D10 mountain, to destroying the sheds scaffolding, and of course picking up Mr. C. He actually causes quite a bit of destruction!
2:36 tbf sodor is suprisngly large on a map. Like large enough to actually alter the world map.Its smaller than Ireland and Great Britian but it is a large island. It makes sense why it would exists in a different dimension if you really think about it.
It's always been cool looking at Sodor as a real location that can be mapped.
I truly believe this is what the movie was trying to be
I think there was a real effort made
4:20 I used to think that Britt was trying to create Spirited Away but with Thomas characters, then I cross referenced the release dates of both movies and it turns out Magic Railroad was released first.
Must have been a vibe going around in the late 90s
this Is a really good theory man keep up the good work 😄
I'll try! :D
:)
This is mind-blowing. I never thought about all these facts!
It makes things come into focus to me, at least!
So Mattel killed the magic, but us fans always have it in our hearts where the true magic is alive, and we control it. 😭
They should've have added more to the movie to make it the way this theory present it, because then the audience would connect with burnett and understand it more. Also- where are the Lego Movie references???
Lego Movie would have been perfect!! Missed opportunity on my part.
Magic railroad ain’t perfect but I personally like it. Because of the fact it’s generally nice, action packed, and funny at times. I’ll never get why people are starting to hate on this movie because based on that new and sh**y2D animated reboot Thomas has been through way way worse.
Why did Britt decide to combined shining time and Thomas together? If you ditch shining time entirely and focus the 19 million on the engines and human green screen. (season 4 and 5 budget is in between 1 to 3 million each.) that would have elevated the look of the engines and you don’t have jarring live scenes. (I say “and” way too much.)
I would have LOVED to see the Sodor sets on a dedicated budget like that. Would have been astounding.
Burnett Stone is to this movie what Mr. Banks was to Mary Poppins. He's who the story is really about, he's the one who goes through an arc.
This is a theory about the film I imagine Allcroft herself would greatly appreciate.
3:29 Then they should’ve reused the original whistles
I do like the way some of the originals sound in the movie, like Thomas'!
Only the OGs remember the original
gone, but not forgotten
This makes the movie better 10-fold
It helps me make sense of it, anyway!
LOL I thought a Thomas movie should take place on Wilbert Awdry's layout.
That would be a really cool idea!
@@Calebtrain Yeah, especially if it's about them coping with his death and trying to survive.
This was bloody brilliant and really helps an otherwise flop of a movie make so much more sense
Not gonna lie, diezel 10 scared me so much as a child!
Idk when this movie came out, but I was born in 2003, no clue how my parents got their hands on it lmao
what about splatter and dodge? i think they symbolize the attempt of reality to change children into adults pre early since they mostly act like kids. but however they grow up to stand up for themselfes