What a waste of my time!!!

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

WHat an awesome film form Masterpiece theater. IN my line of thinking what a dysfunctional family, I think the only stable one is Jerry the youngest. This is a Film for the whole family to watch and enjoy with your favorite popcorn and what ever beverage you like. There is no swearing not that the average American would understand since it is a film based out of England. the only other thing is the use of a gun to hunt other then that the film is Bereft of any violence. it is a true family film it follows the life a British family who relocate to the Greek Island of Corfu because of the cold weather in London. it is a wild ride of a film with great Music throughout great acting Ten Stars at least. this is a Very Light and Airy family film full of wit and witticism and sarcasm. SO in Conclusion then I would say this is well worth a rent from your local LIbrary.

I recall being "forced" to read this book in a cold Winter in London in about 1978. The magic of the book is effortlessly transfered to this screen version. The only fly-in-the-ointment is that the book chronicles several seasons on Corfu, rather than the screen version with its perpetual Summer. That aside, it remains a solid piece of film-making and Mr Americanos (who is actually an Iranian comedian) shines as the families taxi driver. He would HAVE to have visited Greece to know that his character is perfect! Believe me, I lived in Greece for six years and people like him still exist. I lived in Crete rather than Corfu but, hey, it's a beautiful part of the world expertly shown in this film.

a book. a writer confession about his golden age. and an inspired adaptation. that is all. at first sigh. because , like a dish, in this case, the taste, the flavor, the delicious atmosphere has few little secret ingredients. first - the script who explore the Durell universe with gentle and wise precision. than, the cast and for this slice must see the movie for understand. than - the music. the spice remains British humor but that is the great and magnificent virtue because its rhythm is always the same. the joy, adventure, spirit, curiosity of childhood is on front chair. the craziness, the eccentricity, egotism, strange situations are cages for each kind of public. but something must be more important - the extraordinary performance of two actors as cinnamon of this splendid pie - Eugene Simon and, sure, great Imelda Staunton. it is not really a movie. only perfect bottle for pure form of joy.

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.