‘The Children’s Train’ Movie Cast And Character Guide

The Children’s Train is a one-of-a-kind story set in Italy post the Second World War. The entirety of Europe was in shambles, and Italy was one of the many countries that was facing rampant poverty as there was a lack of jobs and food in several parts of the country. Southern Italy was massively hit by these difficulties, and it’s this scenario The Children’s Train is based on. The children and their mothers play a major role in the film. These are the characters that make the film interesting and emotional at the same time.

Spoilers Ahead

Amerigo

Christian Cervone, the child actor, portrays the role of an eight-year-old Amerigo, who was born in Naples to Antoinette. From childhood he and his mother have had a complicated relationship. He is aware his father is in America seeking fortune while Amerigo and his mother are barely scraping by because of the rampant poverty that has hit their city after the war. Amerigo knows how to read and is keen to study further. His mother has other plans for him, as she enrolls him in the new communist party program that will send the kids to the northern side of the country. He does not know much about this program, and the only rumor he has heard is that the government is sending children of his age to Siberia to make them work in the snow. Amerigo is fascinated by his mother’s singing, and yet both mother and son are unable to communicate properly. Amerigo is finally prepared for the journey up north, but just like his friends, he is not sure where they will be taken to. There is a lot of fear and tension, but somehow he is able to believe something positive will come of this journey. 

Antoinette

Serena Rossi is Antoinette Speranza, Amerigo’s mother. She is having a hard time sustaining herself in Naples; since the war, everything in the city is in scarcity. According to her, Amerigo’s father is in America, and she’s stuck here struggling to find food and a proper job that would help the mother and the son to live. 

Antoinette is not a fan of her son, as she’s branded him a nuisance right from his childhood. She is emotionally abusive to Amerigo and unable to connect with him. She agrees with the fact that she cannot be a good mother because she and Amerigo are hardly able to communicate. She plans to send him off to Northern Italy by enrolling him in a program started by the Italian communist party. It seems she wants to get her son out of the way for the time being and hopes he remains safe. Antoinette is the only person who is unwilling to listen to the rumors and goes ahead with the plan. Antoinette also has an affair with a local rich man, something Amerigo does not approve of. Antoinette is a complex woman who wants to do many things, including being a good mother, but her heart messes with her mind. 

Derna 

Barbara Ronchi portrays the role of Derna, a single woman who lives in Bologna. She is a communist party worker and a member of the Politburo program. She decides to bring Amerigo into her family. Since she has remained single all her life up until then, she and Amerigo do not get along well in the start. Derna and Amerigo start off with big friends, and soon her generous nature makes him see her as a mother figure. Derna is able to provide emotional support, something Antoinette is unable to do. Derna makes him feel included by introducing him to her brother and his family. Derna and Amerigo soon form a mother-son bond as she treats him like her flesh and blood.

Alcide

Stefano Accorsi is Alcide, Derna’s older brother, who happily accepts Amerigo after he is introduced as their guest. Unlike the people in the South, Amerigo notices that Alcide and his family are kind to him and are generous. Alcide’s perception of Amerigo changes when he notices his talent for music. Alcide treats Amerigo as his son even though he already has three boys. Just like Derna, Alcide goes out of his way to treat Amerigo like his flesh and blood. Since he is a carpenter with a penchant for music, he carved a violin for Amerigo and gifted it to him on his birthday. Alcide is a man of good heart.

Lutio

Lutio is a crucial character in the second half of the film. Lutio is the middle son of Alcide who is not happy with Amerigo coming into their lives, since he is a kid he does not understand why Amerigo is now part of his family. Since he is asked to be nice to him, Lutio begins to act jealous as he does not like the attention being given to Amerigo instead of him. Lutio tries to protect Amerigo in school but when no one is around he is a bully to him. Lutio also does not like the fact that his father showers praise on Amerigo for his knowledge of classical music. Lutio is a kind of kid who will ease up eventually and notice that Amerigo is now a threat. 

Tomassi

Tomassi is Amerigo’s best friend from childhood. They are neighbors and just like a lot of them in their locality in Naples, they survived the bombings in Naples. Tomassi just like Amerigo, poor and knowing only how to pick up rags and come up with scam plans to earn extra income. Tomassi is also one of the kids who will be joining Amerigo on their trip to the north of Italy. Tomassi is hosted by a rich family, and he soon likes the life he spends in Bologna. Tomassi coming back to Naples seems implausible after living a lavish lifestyle.