Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Synopsis
A warm, magical and nostalgic adaptation of Gerald Durrell's renowned autobiography. Escaping the dreary weather of 1930s England, the eccentric Durrell family uproot and ship themselves off to the sun-drenched Greek island of Corfu. With the help of larger-than-life local taxi-driver Spiro, the family, headed by the Oscar-nominated Imelda Staunton, move to a succession of different, fantastically coloured villas dotted across the landscape. While Margo fights off the advances of would-be suitors, gun-crazy Leslie blasts the island's bird life to smithereens and overbearing intellectual Larry invites a stream of artistic types to stay, young Gerald explores the glorious scenery and the wildlife it has to offer. Watching one sort of the animal kingdom in their natural habitat allows Gerald to learn more incisively about the habits of an altogether different group: his own family. Adapted by Simon Nye (Pride, Men Behaving Badly, The Savages), from the book by Gerald Durrell.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this delightful cinematic gem while searching for movies starring Matthew Goode, one of the best young English actors today. He is perfect here as the oldest son in this singular family: handsome, droll, hedonistic, supercilious, fully flexing his considerable comedic muscles.
This is a group of superb actors playing off each other, generous to a fault, and having a ball. The fun they have is sublimely infectious.
The movie is a vibrant and winning portrayal of Gerald Durrell's memoir of his family, just prior to WWII, living on Corfu. Durrell, who became a leading zoologist and wrote 37 books, cut his chops on Corfu, scoping out scorpions and other forms of wildlife dangerous and benign. He was about thirteen, with an older sister and two older brothers, equally quirky, individual, and funny.
His sister discovers boys - and men - wreaking much havoc on the island. His older brother, played perfectly by adorable Russell Tovey (History Boys), has a mania for hunting and shooting. And Larry (author Lawrence Durrell), played by Goode, is an obsessed writer who smokes, lounges about, and poses. He invites an amusing group of eccentric friends, including author Henry Miller, who writes in the nude and considers clothing the last refuge of the bourgeoisie. His family find them somewhat less entertaining.
Their summer is also populated by other characters with whom they interact: two British tutors, a Turkish boyfriend, the family's Greek mentor, housemaid, and a customs agent who confiscates lingerie and linen.
Imelda Staunton, as the mother of this brood, holds the whole mess together and has never been more enjoyable.
Great episodic story, beautiful photography, clever editing, highly imaginative music, smart script, delightful acting. The 85 minutes fly by and leave us wanting much more of this endearing family.
This is a group of superb actors playing off each other, generous to a fault, and having a ball. The fun they have is sublimely infectious.
The movie is a vibrant and winning portrayal of Gerald Durrell's memoir of his family, just prior to WWII, living on Corfu. Durrell, who became a leading zoologist and wrote 37 books, cut his chops on Corfu, scoping out scorpions and other forms of wildlife dangerous and benign. He was about thirteen, with an older sister and two older brothers, equally quirky, individual, and funny.
His sister discovers boys - and men - wreaking much havoc on the island. His older brother, played perfectly by adorable Russell Tovey (History Boys), has a mania for hunting and shooting. And Larry (author Lawrence Durrell), played by Goode, is an obsessed writer who smokes, lounges about, and poses. He invites an amusing group of eccentric friends, including author Henry Miller, who writes in the nude and considers clothing the last refuge of the bourgeoisie. His family find them somewhat less entertaining.
Their summer is also populated by other characters with whom they interact: two British tutors, a Turkish boyfriend, the family's Greek mentor, housemaid, and a customs agent who confiscates lingerie and linen.
Imelda Staunton, as the mother of this brood, holds the whole mess together and has never been more enjoyable.
Great episodic story, beautiful photography, clever editing, highly imaginative music, smart script, delightful acting. The 85 minutes fly by and leave us wanting much more of this endearing family.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Warm and funny and slightly touching (shed a few tears at the end), in fact I've acquired a copy for my collection along with the 1987 version, this is actually one of the rare examples when a short adaptation works just as well.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Being a Russell Tovey fan, I bought this film and was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the movie, it is a great collection of odd but charming characters enjoying their life on the Greek island of Corfu. Credible script, the historic background is only slightly touched.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Delightful adaption of an old favourite...
I grew up reading the Gerald Durrell books and know this particular one very well. This adaption was like an visiting an old friend... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lizzie V
My family and other animals
A film you can watch time and time again and would remain as funny as it was the first time.
Published 12 months ago by mac
Good family entertainment
Lovely scenery, amusing content, not quite as good as recent radio4 production which incorporated more of book.A nice family night in!
Published 19 months ago by Mrs. C. Robinson
A terrible let down
I spotted this by chance and sent off for it straightaway - I've been a fan of the book for thirty years and wondered how I'd missed it before. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jimbob
PORTRAY'S GERALD DURRELL'S BOOK BRILLIANTLY!
Gerald Durrell's book is brought to life brilliantly in this film. Love the cast, who portray his family, friends and associates so perfectly. Read more
Published on 21 May 2010 by Mrs. V. Jeffery
Just had to own a copy
Saw this on the Tele a few months ago. I had previously read the book as a child. Had to buy it to add to my collection. Oh what a joy. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2010 by Mavis
A lot of laughs
This is a reasonably short entertainment for all the family; it tells of a year in the life of Gerald Durrell's family in Corfu in the thirties, and the start of his fascination... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by J. P. Edwards
my family & other Animals
My family and other animals is a wonderful video for all the family to watch together.
It conjurs up warm sunny days, exploring and having fun without fear
or... Read more
It conjurs up warm sunny days, exploring and having fun without fear
or... Read more
Published on 24 July 2009 by E. ayres
Brilliant film
Brilliant film. Rare to have a film to watch that everyone (Us 46 & 45, kids 17, 15 & 12) is totally engrossed in - noone moved for the whole time it was on!
Published on 8 April 2009 by Anne64
Brilliant
I watched this for an English project. It's just so funny! My class and I were in histerics. But it is more of child's film than an adult's though ! 5 stars and more!
Published on 25 Jun 2008 by Oliver Hayden
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
