Our Zoo

Think4Yourself thinks... (6 stars). This was a delightful and inspiring story that was hurt by inconsistent writing that made the characters act in strange ways just to create drama and conflict. If they would have stuck to the main story this deserving show could have earned more than one season. It filled a niche that is under-represented on TV, a light, friendly story that revolves around science and nature and ambition. The cast was entertaining and Lee Ingleby did a fine job as the lead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series from start to finish. The plot, storyline and portrayal of the characters was excellent. The fact that this dramatization was based on a true story made it all the more remarkable and unique. The setting was beautiful and the animals were believable for the out start of a zoo for that time period. The wardrobe and costumes were also exquisite especially at the Charity Ball. The characters themselves were likable and you could connect with each of the family members and their supportive friends. The actors were so well chosen and represented their roles perfectly. The script was well written and enhanced the storyline so well. My admiration goes to the writers and producers for putting together such a brilliant adaptation of this true story. I'm disappointed that the series has ended and feel there must be more to the on going story or tales of the zoo after it was officially opened.

OUR ZOO tells the story of George Mottershead (Lee Ingleby) and his family, who founded Chester Zoo in the early Thirties in the face of considerable pressure from the local people of Upton as well as the Ministry of Health. The story is a familiar one common to British movies (remember PASSPORT TO PIMLICO (1949), or THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT (1953)) of the underdog triumphing against apparently impossible odds.

Directed by Andy de Emmony, Robert McKillop, and Saul Metzstein, this six-part drama series emphasizes the importance of family values as a way of resisting bureaucracies. Despite occasional differences of opinion - especially in the last episode, as George prepares to fight the court case - George, his wife Lizzie (Liz White), and their two children (Honor Kneafsey, Amelia Clarkson) stay together through thick and thin, even if they have to endure several difficult times in the process. The move from their cramped little shop to the newly- purchased stately home and gardens (the location for the zoo) is a traumatic one, especially for Muriel (who wants to continue her relationship with Christopher (Perry Glasspool). They experience continual problems of making financial ends meet, and subsequently have to endure the villagers' almost unanimous opposition to the project. The fact that they emerge triumphant in the end offers a comment on today's society; despite the preoccupation with individualism (a by-product of capitalist values), community loyalty often provides the surest means of achieving one's ends.

George's parents (Anne Reid, Peter Wight) clearly understand the importance of this dictum, as they act unselfishly in their son's interests, rather than continuing their humdrum lives as co-owners of a greengrocer's shop. Both actors offer portrayals of stable, level-headed personalities, the kind of people that keep George's feet on the ground as he tries to fulfill his dream.

Stylistically speaking, OUR ZOO is shot in a series of dimly-lit interior sequences, reflecting the realities of life during the Thirties. The program's location-work is particularly convincing, especially in the opening episode, where the Mottishead's life in a cramped back-to-back terraced development proves constricting, both physically and mentally. Sometimes Matt Charman and Adam Kemp's script incorporates some linguistic anachronisms that wouldn't have been uttered by people living in early Thirties Britain, but its emphasis on so-called "old-fashioned" values such as the strength of the family is both touching and heart-warming. OUR ZOO is definitely a series worth spending time with.

Should be obvious that the story offers great opportunity for a remarkable & special series. Unfortunately, it seems that the writing is too much by committee or that different writers took on different pieces and then it was thrown together in a less cohesive whole.

Also, almost every woman character, with rare & specific outlier status, is a negative. The mother is a dreadful selfish impediment who actively works to undermine the project - as if trying to sink the project will make her life better than she thinks it is. The teenage brat is another example of shallow selfishness. There is no one in the list of characters who rallies the family, who seems capable of translating George's vision into an identity that could have, in fact, been a powerful source of common ground. Instead, the writing and directing posits simple opposites against each other in little episodes time & time again. The story, as such, thus doesn't really move forward with discernable development. Through at least half the series, there is very little movement away from the oppressive frustration and almost endless occurrences of evil graft & backstabbing in the 'community' and, to too large an extent, the family.

Viewers would like to root for someone, here, particularly in this story, but the writers, directors & producers seem intent on extending the bleakest tone possible.

Also, the brother-in-law is so stereotypical and SO on character with the actor playing the complete cowardly idiot, it's just a perfect example of how the series suffers from stupidly simplistic writing, acting and directing.

OMG, a bear gets out of an enclosure through a chain link gate, then a heavy wooden barred gate, a closed barn gate and then out the OPEN main property gate! So, let's understand: this bit of contrivance is the bridge of tension between two episodes. And, the stupidity of leaving the gate open occurs at the end of the family's most triumphant day to date. This kind of sloppy writing is unnecessary, unless fundamental writing talent is lacking. So,.....

Why did they take such a great opportunity, such a largely greatly talented cast, and produce this sad, bleak and ultimately manipulative series?

Based on a true story, this makes it even better! Beautiful scenery, manor home, and cinematography. Realistic, honest character development. Loved the actors, actresses, and animals. Genuine portrayal of wartime survivors experiencing PTSD. Emotionally congruent, feeling the empathy and compassion for the various animals. Tears happened in quite a few scenes/episodes that authentically portray the resiliency, determination, passion, and purpose experienced throughout the first season. My only real disappointment after watching the first season was that I had hoped there would be more! I'm sure there's endless accounts of the family, zoo, and the story of their lives!