My Family and Other Animals

I seem to remember that the weather in the winter of 1987 in the UK was not the best, including the terrible storms that October. But at least around that time the nation was able to soak up the sun in a small way by watching this exotic escapism.

Memories of it being much replayed on VHS recordings back in the day by my family made me pick up a copy on DVD 20 years later, and I'm glad I did. I should mention that I've not read the book (another to do) so I'm not able to compare in that sense.

The acting is very fitting to the surroundings, Hannah Gordon is serene as the mother, and credit to Brian Blessed, he's still the Brian Blessed we all know (and love) but fittingly he is not as bombastic as usual. The rest of the family are adept at conveying the charming calamity of the Durrell family, in other words, English eccentrics in the sunshine.

The local element is also excellent, plenty of passing characters who perhaps could only of existed in 1930s Corfu, all adds to the dream like element of the show.

And of course wildlife is core to the show, and there is plenty of close ups of various insect life inserted, the story lines are not rushed as is fitting the atmosphere, so it somehow adds to the whole experience.

My Family and Other Animals could be the perfect solution if you want to add some real warmth to a wet Sunday afternoon.

Every week when it came on TV I would not talk to anyone. I would not answer the telephone. Unlike someone who did not like the music I loved it. This is one of the happiest, most enjoyable, series I've ever seen. No, it is the happiest most enjoyable. I wish there were ways to see it streaming. Everything about that series was perfect. The cast was perfect, the settings beautiful, and the comedy of errors hilarious. If anyone wants to find something they can just let go, and enjoy, this is it. If you've not read the books please do.

It is based on the memories of Gerald Durrell. He must have has a wonderful childhood. He was interested in anything that scurried, slithered, barked, flew, swam. Once grown he set up a zoo on one of the channel islands to help conserve wildlife.

What an interesting life.

This is ruined by two things: 1. The music. An oppressive ever present whistling, a diabolical melody is whistled at the beginning and throughout anytime there is no talking. It dictates the mood of any scene, it pervades strangles and suffocates like a weed.

2.The acting of the boy. This child cannot act, at all, it's terrible. Even when he reads his lines out he sounds like he has a learning difficulty, so he doesn't even sound like a kid reading. "Oh yayes, eat, IS myyyyyyyy, birth daaaaaaaaaaaaay, are YOU goingk to GIVE ME AYE PRESORNT, I Am wONDERING OF this NOWWOOO"

Wasted opportunity to make a film of a great book. Who the hell chose that kid and or the music! (the same person for sure (tin ear you see))