Anyone going to try The Durrells (aka My Family and Other Animals)?

[YesThisIsMe]

These books were a huge part of my childhood, but a lot of people look blank when I mention them.

We saw a preview yesterday and we enjoyed it but felt that the people who'd brought 6 year olds might have been cringing a bit at the sex references, and Mother's gin-fuelled existential crisis.

[SealSong]

I remember now why I rarely watch ITV (or any other commercial channels). The ad breaks ruin the continuity and flow of the drama.

[wonkylampshade]

We met the child actor and his tutor on the beach in Corfu last year, really looking forward to watching!

[AugustaFinkNottle]

I don't think you can really judge this by "My Family and Other Animals" as it obviously goes some way beyond that. I think it's based partly on a book by Margot about their childhood. It's also described as "the first series" so I assume they will keep some of the stories from the books in reserve.

[PonderingProsecco]

Not sure about this so far.
Did for O level and then read all related books.
I found books wonderful and laugh out loud funny.
So far, I feel disappointed in this.

[Hackedabove]

I missed this, might have to do a catch up

[Clawdy]

Enjoying it so far, and like the way the young Durrells are played by fairly unknown actors - that makes a change.

[gingerboy1912]

Sealsong I agree, anything with adverts in we either record and watch another time and skim through adverts or purposely start wAtching it 20 later so we can miss them.

[scarlets]

As a period drama fan, I was a little disappointed. Keeley Hawes was wrong for Louisa IMO. Too young, and I never really "get" her in period roles despite a great performance in Tipping the Velvet. She seems too modern, somehow. That's entirely subjective of course, and it's interesting that most folk who loved the books (I've never read them) seem to be enjoying it, which probably means that I'm categorically wrong lol.

Now Hannah Gordon and Brian Bkessed ..... that adaptation appeals to me already

[5Foot5]

I enjoyed this too but DH grumbled that it was nothing like the books. However, they haven't called it "My Family and Other Animals" have they? That was Gerald's memoir. This presumably tells the story from the POV of the rest of the family too. The eldest son became a famous writer so no doubt there is input from some of the things he write too.

[Hackedabove]

I remember Brian Blessed in the 80s version vividly, but now he annoys me in his over the top style.

[LunaLunaLovegood]

I enjoyed it but glad DC didn't watch it. I think DD (9) will love the books, seeing it fro a child's perspective, but the programme was much more from an adult perspective and I felt slightly cheated. I will still watch and enjoy the rest of it, but it's not as good as the books.

[ThatsNotMyRabbit]

It's funny - when I first read the books I always envisaged Mother as quite elderly but I was quite young then so anyone over 30 was old to me! 😄

I'll enjoy this in its own right I think even though it's going to be different to the books.

[SqueegyBeckinheim]

Gerald played quite fast and loose with the facts, Lawerence was married when they moved to Corfu, his wife came with them and she and Lawrence lived in their own house, not with mother and the other siblings.

I did think in this new version Spiro was far too good looking. In the books he's often described as looking like a gargoyle (but having the heart of an angel). There seemed to be a bit of chemistry between him and mother, which was never even hinted at in the books.

[SqueegyBeckinheim]

I do think it's hard to film an authentic version of Gerald's books. So much of them is given over to his descriptions of his interactions with animals. On the page his obvious love and enthusiasm for the natural world shine through, but it's hard to translate that to the screen, at least without an older "Gerald" narrator. Without a narrator it would be lots of shots of a little boy staring at spiders or crabs.

[AmIbeingaBitch]

So much potential, and yet so charmless.

Here's the one to watch.

[LunaLunaLovegood]

I read the books 2 years ago and thought of mother as v old. I sat down with a G&T last night and PMT-snarled at the DC to leave me alone. Then I watched a few minutes and thought 'Shit this woman is me!!'

[ineedaholidaynow]

I love the book My Family and Other Animals, and in fact have read nearly all Gerald Durrell books. However, I would say that this version does represent how the family were portrayed in the books.

I can't remember when I first read it but read it last year to DS who would have been about 9. He loved it but I had forgotten about how many references there were to sex, especially from Larry, so I did miss some paragraphs out whilst reading it out loud. You might like to bear this in mind if you are planning to give it to a child to read and you have not read it yourself first. Also there are pages of amazing descriptions of the flora and fauna, which some children might find quite hard to read. We bought the DVD of the BBC series which is very gentle and is much more child friendly in my opinion.

We let DS watch this version last night and there were quite a few "did you hear what he said mum?" whilst we watching it.

I would recommend the story Donkey Rustlers which was also written by Gerald Durrell, if you can find a copy, for younger children

[AmIbeingaBitch]

We bought the DVD of the BBC series which is very gentle and is much more child friendly in my opinion.

Yes. That's the version on Youtube, ^^

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Loved the books they also made me laugh so much

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

The bbc series is lovely I've not decided about this one yet - some bits are very good but it doesn't have the charm you get in his writing.

Also, mother should be doing more cooking and pottering around the garden.

[MyLlamasGoneBananas]

I watched last week's quite liked it. Just sat watching this week's episode and omg. Why oh just why is the acting just so awful.
Last week's was a tad naff in places but 20 minutes into this episode and my teeth are on edge. The acting is horrendous. How can it be this bad???
This has so much potential to be fabulous but it's just dissapointing!

[Clawdy]

The animated film used during the credits looks wonderful - those amazing colours.

[MyLlamasGoneBananas]

I'm loving it too for all the reasons you state washed iris. It's a sight for sore eyes. I have a passion for real Greece. It's a brilliant relief to watch something no full 9f blood gore and violence. I am sticking with it but something is very amiss with the acting imo. Very ham.

[dementedma]

I think the little boy playing Gerald is adorable but Larry gives me the creeps