The Shocking True Story Behind ‘The Children’s Train’ on Netflix: Unpacked

escents. On the other hand, the kids were ripped from their loving mothers and unceremoniously placed in the care of unvetted families who may or may not have been happy about their new arrivals. Historically speaking, Southern Italy has always been home to the most economically unstable citizens, meaning regions such as Avellino, Milan and Naples were the sites of the most focus. By the time the Treni della felicità operations concluded in 1952, over 70,000 Italian children were sent North via train, with some eventually returning home once the country’s economy recovered. Though the journey was truly harrowing for most occupants of the trains, the initiative was universally hailed by human rights groups around the globe.

How Much of ‘The Children’s Train’ Is Real?

As stated, the inspiring tale of Amerigo Speranza is a fictional story developed for 2019’s The Children’s Train book, and later adapted for the screen. Still, the character’s journey serves as a representation for many young boys who made the pilgrimage up North during the era of post-war poverty in Italy. Before departing from his home, we see his mother Antonietta is crestfallen about parting ways with him, though she ultimately accepts that sending her son away is necessary for him to have a better life. Once Amerigo boards the train, he swells with a plethora of conflicting emotions, ultimately culminating in an overall anxiety about arriving at his new home up North.

When he does meet his host family, Amerigo is conflicted. The journey brings him new opportunities he never could have dreamed of back in Naples, opening up a wealth of possibilities for his future. On the other hand, he knows that he may never see his mother again, and must reconcile his loss with an overall feeling of displacement, especially as his Southern upbringing clashes with the native children of the North. Even though the boy’s story isn’t based on any one person, The Children’s Train does an excellent job of bringing this historical narrative to life and showcasing all angles of the harrowing moment in humanity for a whole new generation of viewers.