People are voting emotionally.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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 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.

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.

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.