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My Family and Other Animals (2005) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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20 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-
Light hearted biography of the talented Durrell family, 28 December 2005
10/10
Author: Mormegil from United Kingdom

It is a pity that this was made for television only, as it would have been an excellent movie release.

It is an excellent adaptation of the book (of the same name) by Gerald Durrell, and accounts the youthful exploits of the extremely talented Durrell family during their stay in Corfu after their father's death. The story is told through the eyes of the 12 year old budding Zoologist Gerrald Durrell in the backdrop to the outbreak of the second world war.

The characters are well portrayed and realistic, and the script manages to keep in the light-hearted humour and comedy from the book. Altogether a highly recommended movie for all the family.

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15 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
The beauty of nature, 28 December 2005
10/10
Author: The_unemployed_cynic from Netherlands

I was amazed by the sheer beauty of the images in this made-for-TV movie. The views are breathtaking. Everything looks simply wonderful: the island, the sea, the villas ('our' family moves to a new house whenever they feel the need arise), the locals and an interesting flock of visitors, and of course the abundant wildlife on Corfu.

The story is quite funny sometimes, and at one point even moving, the acting is very good and the direction and editing are spot on. What matters is that non of it gets in the way of what this movie tries to accomplish.

My Family And Other Animals is about the beauty of nature, as seen by a boy. After watching it, you can understand why someone like him would spend his life studying that subject. This movie feels like a breath of fresh air, bringing the viewer back to the days when such a thing existed. Every boy (or girl) should be able to spend his youth this way.

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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Amusing Biography of Gerald Durrell, 27 December 2005
9/10
Author: youngsteve from England

Very well put together & funny reminisces of Gerald Durrels adventures in Corfu with his family before the war. I remember seeing the BBC series about 15 years ago which also was very good, & was surprised to see it made again, but this was another superb production, so is a welcome addition. The acting is superb throughout, particularly his weird family members. Imelda Staunton is as good as aways, & was the boy playing Gerald Durrell. The actress who took the part of his sultry sister was also good & very attractive. Expect to see more of her. The setting also added to the experience, with all the sun & sand, making you wish you were there, instead of a cold winters day in England.

Overall, certainly one to watch if you haven't already.

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14 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :-
Absolutely marvelous!, 16 April 2006
Author: horrorfilmx from United States

I caught this movie on PBS at four in the morning and was hooked for the next two hours. It's a funny, original story beautifully shot (one assumes on location in Greece). The focus of the film is on the youngest member of an eccentric British family and his absorbing interest in nature, but the rest of his clan all have their own unique quirks. It's a little bit like James Herriot by way of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. But what impressed me most of all was the assured direction. It jumps from character to character and incident to incident, all vastly amusing, without ever becoming boring or wasting a frame. It makes me want to hunt down the TV series or go read the books. By all means catch this if you ever have a chance.

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9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Absolute Delight!, 4 May 2006
9/10
Author: Mith from United Kingdom

The movie is truly a delight to watch. It's full of warmth and humour. It reminds me how wonderful it is to connect to nature, a thing hard to achieve in this modern age of technology and fast-paced life. The scenery is just so beautiful, the characters interesting and lovable, the acting smooth and convincing, the soundtrack I find quite quirky but amusing, and the animals absolutely cute! Imelda Staunton is superb as usual, while Eugene Simon is very good as the inquisitive Gerald. Despite the fact that this movie is not a very dramatic one (no violence, no real romance nor suspense), it is engaging and entertaining. A must-see.

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7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Hysterical! Absolutely the funniest movie I've seen in decades., 6 September 2006
10/10
Author: angelofvic from United States

The Brits really know how to do it right! This is the absolute funniest thing I've seen in decades. I was busting out laughing constantly throughout the film; and I enjoyed it so much I watched it again the next day, still in awe of its perfection, and still constantly amused to the point of complete hilarity.

Acting: Perfect. Imelda Staunton will throw you with how funny she is; the other actors/characters, especially Gerry's literary brother Larry, are equally as hilarious. Plenty of absurdist, priceless interactions between all of the nutty family members, and between the family and their odd entourage of wacky friends and inscrutable Greeks.

Script: Incredible. Flawless. Word perfect. This finely honed script from Gerald Durrell's witty and extremely well-written memoir is another stunning example of how "the Brits do it better."

Plot: Who could think up a better one (and it's a true story no less!)? Loony, dysfunctional, fog-and-chill-crazed Brits move to a sunny, backward Greek island and mayhem ensues. Hilarious. Lots of odd twists and turns.

Cinematography: Breathtaking. Gerald Durrell was a world-famous zoologist, whose passion for nature and animals began with this move to Corfu. Nature is revealed in all of her fascinating, gorgeous mystery in this film's meticulous cinematography. Delightful! Beautiful! Oh, to be a child again and roam the leafy, creature-laden wilds and beautiful beaches of Corfu.

Music: Bust-a-gut funny. It compliments the movie like wine compliments the perfect dinner.

Main takeaway: This film is HILARIOUS. There is not a single character who is not memorably bizarre.

Don't miss this film if you like absolute quality entertainment, and want to laugh throughout the entire course of a film. It's clever and witty and cheeky beyond measure. And the best part is that it's true. Bless Gerry Durrell -- he's made a whole peck of people supremely happy!

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8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
A charming English story of pre-war life in Crete., 27 December 2005
9/10
Author: jopas from Ireland

If you like the gentle English approach to a story such as seen in Upstairs Downstairs and All Creatures Great and Small, this film is for you. It features the young life of Gerald Durrel, a famed British naturalist, and his eccentric family while they lived on Crete in pre WW2 days. Young Gerald fills the house with animals, a brother likes to shoot while another brother feels his whole family is crazy including his younger sister who chases older men. Many oddball friends grace the storyline and a well composed comedic music score adds to the pleasure of this production. The acting is superb throughout with the young actor playing Durrel being perfect for the role. Maybe some 'Hollywood' producers might learn from this tale you do not always need exploding objects to ensure a good film.

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9 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Amusing and worth watching! Family style entertainment!, 8 May 2006
9/10
Author: Sylvia Marciniak (sylviastel@aol.com) from United States

Remember the days when watching television with your family was wholesome, clean, and even entertaining. I love Imelda Staunton in this role as the mother of family who vacation in Greece. Her beloved son becomes more like P.T. Barnum by taking care of so many creatures. It's told from his point of view before World War II during a family vacation on a Greece Island. It's the kind of film that the whole family can watch and laugh at some of the moments. It's not too serious or too lighthearted. IT's just fine for an hour an half of clean, fun and family style entertainment that a whole family can gather around the set and watch together. It doesn't have vulgarity, sex, or violence to ruin it. It's not that kind of film. I was watching this film in London where I learned that Imelda Staunton was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) which suits her perfectly. The scenery is spectacular and the writing could have been a little better but it works just fine for me. I love the acting but I can't remember the other actors' names.

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5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
Fantastic family entertainment., 27 December 2005
10/10
Author: sugarcult_x from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This is a really special piece of classic British comedy, know one does comedy like the Brits! Gerald Durrel's wacky family are vividly captured in this period drama, about a family who are so different, but still are the perfect English family. I watched this drama expecting it to be another cheap shot at an unmemorable attempt in the 1980's, but this is really the sort of thing you should watch on a cold winters day, with a mug of hot choc and curl on your sofa, and relax. Its a feel good film, full of laughs and hilarious family 'in jokes', which every family has. Plus the animals that Gerry collects are just so cute. Perfect cast, who all seem to slip into their individual roles easily and comfortably - laughs all the way, topped off by Mrs Staunton (Vera Drake), who leads the family as the mother. Fan-bloody-tastic! Watch it, or miss out!

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
A lovely and interesting story, excellently adapted and presented for TV, 10 April 2007
8/10
Author: donflo-2 from Australia

A favourite story of mine for very many years this translation into a TV movie is sensitively and accurately adapted, much of the dialogue is exactly as Gerald Durrell wrote it. If only the TV writers, producers, directors would do as well with so many other sadly failing efforts! The actors in this are very well chosen and give faithful and often understated performances. In particular the lad playing Gerald is very good indeed, but I only single him out from a splendid ensemble effort because of his youth. If I had to make a criticism it would be that the character of Spiro was somewhat more restrained than I had envisaged from the book. All in all, a little gem. It was screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday 8th. April 2007.

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