My Family And Other Animals [DVD][1987]

This is a delightful series, based on fact, of course. The more I watch it, the more I rate it alongside "La Gloire de mon Père" and "Le Château de ma Mère", for, like the films of Marcel Pagnol's boyhood, it so magnificently evokes a time long gone. And it provides so many smiles and laughs, and perhaps some tears. The landscapes of the island of Corfu are more green and luscious than those of Pagnol's Provence, but both provide beautiful backdrops for the activities of somewhat eccentric families and the childhood of exploratory boys. "My Family" has the additional glory of rocky coastlines and glorious seascapes, not to be missed. Yes, I know, the Durrell family were well off financially, and this story is not at all typical of families in the 1930s. But what's wrong with enjoying the idiosyncrasies of a good humoured and delightfully dysfunctional middle class family? Brian Blessed is excellent as the Greek taxi driver, Spiro, who takes them under his wing. There are just two occasions when we hear the full power of his famous stentorian voice. Hannah Gordon gives an understated but insightful portrayal of the somewhat scatty mother. I'm not sure whether or not I prefer her to Imelda Staunton's portrayal in the other, shorter filmed version of the story. Darren Redmayne is very good as the boy Gerald, although I suspected in a couple of sequences that he needed just a little more coaching in the delivery of his lines. There are, however, some beautifully observed exchanges, such as those between him and the naturalist, Theodore, who takes him under his wing for a while. As another reviewer has implied, you'll quietly smile every time you hear someone say: "As you know..." These exchanges are sometimes the skilful work of the screenwriter in adapting the original wording of Gerald Durrell's book. Some characters and sequences have been omitted, and others expanded, with no loss to the delightful tale. And let's not forget the maggenpies, the dancing pigeon, the pregnant mantis, and the scorpions. The background music is lovely, too. It is in some ways reminiscent of the well known music used in "Picnic at Hanging Rock, though without the quivering menace. The whole thing is enhanced by remarkable footage from the BBC Natural History Unit. Anyone who has, like me, worked with gifted children will find a lot more of interest in this series, too.

Absolutely brilliant series so close to the books written by Gerald Durrell. The new series is good too but this is superb.

I remember my wife and myself watching this series when it was originally broadcast and thinking how enchanting it was. We often spoke of it and my wife often said rather wistfully she wished it would be repeated. Imagine my delight when I discovered it was available on DVD. I bought it for her birthday and she was thrilled to receive it. We sat down to watch it with some trepidation in case it was not as good as we remembered it. I am pleased to say we were not disappointed. It was funny, amusing, entertaining, beautifully acted, informative, and evocative. My wife especially liked the theme music of this enchanting series. I can highly recommend this extremely cheap DVD set.

The scenery of Corfu is superb, that never fails to suduce, the nature shots and the border collie are superb. It must be very difficult for a crew to descend and capture the ambiance far from London and their habitutudes. I am sure a lot of people will find this film very amusing. We are still only on episode 4, I shall continue to watch to the end really for the scenery and good photography. I am devoted to the book.

Really enjoyed this DVD. It is well cast with Hannah Gordon playing a great part as the mother and Brian Blessing so convincing as Spiro. I thought I did not care for him, but seeing him in this part I have changed my mind. It is beautifully shot in Corfu and the wildlife filmed is amazing. Well seen it has used BBC footage for this. I am looking forward to the 2nd series of The Durrells coming soon. I have also read Gerald Durrell's book My family and other animals, which is very enjoyable.

This BBC series from 30 years ago is a refreshing antidote to the recent ITV series, wonderful though that was in its way. Hannah Gordon is adorable as batty but well-meaning Mother, and Brian Blessed is the ideal larger-than-life casting for Spiro (no love-interest there). The minor characters and story-lines tend to be somewhat cartoonish and/or surreal in their presentation, but the family members are all excellent -- nice to see a young Anthony Calf as Larry (though the actors playing him all seem to be tall, whereas Lawrence Durrell was famously short in stature). The series sticks remarkably closely to Gerald Durrell's book, and it's great to have a lot of genuine closely observed 'nature photography', as that was of course what Gerald was chiefly interested in. The Corfu scenery and photography are achingly beautiful, and Darryl Runswick's wistful score is a nice touch. Sheer delight, essential viewing for all Durrell fans.

The DVD of 'My Family and Other Animals' was just as completely delightful as I had remembered. Anyone who has been to Corfu will know what a wonderful island it is and this series, with its evocative music and fabulous photography conjures up the smells and sights of this beautiful place. Darren Redmayne's stunning performance as the 11-year-old Gerald Durrell is superb - the whole family and the ebulient Brian Blessed as 'Spiro' make this a most happy series to watch. The background to Gerald's enduring interest for natural history is very much illustrated - maybe a little too much for the squeamish, but set in this vibrant location - oh, you almost feel you are there.

I too had been hoping for this release, having read several of Gerald Durrell's books and also having been most disappointed by the recent release, with Imelda Staunton. This is so beautifully filmed (no wonder the BBC Natural Hisory Unit were involved) that my memory of it as a sun-filled oasis before a hard week at work was not disappointed, as 20 year-old memories so often are. The performances of every family member, and those closely associated with them, were memorable. Surely Brian Blessed was born to play Spiro? Hannah Gordon is an excellent Mother: warm but slightly eccentric, tossing a whole scorpion (mercifully dead) into one of her culinary inventions. I am resisting singling out the rest of the family for praise but a mention must go to young Gerry, played by Darren Redmayne: a most convincing Gerry, obsessed by nature, together with his mentor Theo (who I think of every time I say "as you know..."). Do watch it, whether you remember the original or not!

This dramatization of Gerald Durrell's classic memoir of a 10 year old English boy's transplantation to the Greek island of Corfu, and the domestic comedy of manners which follows as his family acclimatizes, is thoroughly enjoyable and completely different from American family fare which relies on crime and violence, car chases and the threat of violence for its comedy and dramatic suspense. This film displays a refreshing alternate sensibility which relies instead on the intrinsic interest of place, of a boy's developing love for nature, and for the unfolding of human foibles in a terrific, quixotic environment.

Sceneggiato BBC del 1987, in dieci brevi episodi da quarantacinque minuti. DVD in lingua inglese con sottotitoli inglesi. Sceneggiatura semplice, tempi di narrazione distesi, bei paesaggi. Succede poco, ma succede con una grazia fatta di umorismo lieve e mai volgare. Il bambino Gerry, a differenza di quanto accade nella serie “The Durrells” (2016-2019), è al centro della narrazione e si fa benvolere, così come il resto della famiglia. Molti animali arricchiscono la visione, com’è giusto per un titolo come questo. Si può guardare con piacere.

とても面白い本で大好きでしたが、ドラマ化されていたと知り早速購入して見ました。のどかで素敵な風景と一家に起る面白いハプニング。こんな風にどこかの島で暮してみたいです！

Actores buenos que han reflejado bien las intenciones del autor de los libros. No hay assasinatos ni sexo ni violencia. Parecia de otro tiempo mas tranquilo...

Very good adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s book. The photography is very good and the characters are just like in the book. It was a pleasure to watch!