Reviews

Binge watched the entire first series; the acting just held me spellbound as did the excellent writing. It is rather dark but thankfully doesn't do what most American shows do which is.. that's all there is. The story is riveting, the production first class and the acting just outstanding. An array of solid English actors who just couldn't be better from Tom Courtenay to Nicola Walker, Bernard Hill to Trevor Eve and Gemma Jones to Hannah Gordon. Thank you you all. Starting the second series now.

Thank you Miranda Hart! You are SO talented. I haven't laughed like that since Monty Python... I mean the original stuff... and "Big Trouble" . comes in close. LOVE it! Love the talking to the audience, love the physical comedy, love the storyline... Just binge watched all 3 series that are on Netflix... sad I can't watch series 4 and oh dear... it's over now?

I bet the wonderful actors in this had such fun making it.. it looks as though they did! Patricia Hodge, Tom Ellis, Tom Conti there for a while just having fun.... what a joy!

It's so truly wonderful to see a series that doesn't rely on the same old same old same old recycled storylines and terrific to see it acted by such professionals.

Devastated it's over. Can't you make some more ?

By the way I have only ever rated 2 other movies/shows with a 10. Praise indeed.

Such a wonderful movie. I very very rarely give anything 10 stars but this was first rate. Thank you Marni Zelnick for this absolute gem! Why are there not more movies like this? The story is compelling; messed up teenage kid is sent to his Father in Wyoming and finds himself and starts to heal from his former life of meaningless mediocrity. I spent 3 months living around Jackson where this was filmed and it is gorgeous scenery. Excellent writing; very good acting by all. I particularly liked the role of the Father. He knew exactly how to act and speak with his errant son. An example of good parenting. For me, the movie underlines the need for our young people and children to be out in nature and among wild animals most of the time. Being stuck in classrooms is not an education. What this young man had in Wyoming was an education and what all young people need, in my opinion. I absolutely LOVED the teaching the Father gives on the ride, explaining how it was only when the wolves came back to Yellowstone that the behavior of the elk, moose changed resulting in more trees, plants, birds and thus showing how we really are all connected.. but he waited until his son had been nurtured enough by the land, the wolves and the experience before speaking these words. Thank you so much Ms. Zelnick... this has become one of my favorite movies ever. Please make something else with as much heart set again somewhere where it's still wild and free.

I tried. I really did. It's clear that Phoebe Waller Bridge is very talented. I wish she would realize and appreciate that she doesn't need to include all the absurd, nasty designed to shock sex talk in everything she does which is ultimately a cheap laugh at the expense of respect, not just of a woman, but of humanity in general.

Some of the scenes are quite funny as in the other program she wrote and was involved with " Crashing" but after a couple of episodes I couldn't stomach that either. For the same reasons. I'm sorry but joking about being (and here on my first attempt at a review on Amazon, Amazon threw it back at me as I apparently crossed over their guidelines which include " We do not allow profane or obscene content" as I had put in quotes something uttered directly by Ms. Waller Bridge in the first 5 minutes of episode one whilst in bed with a man.). So instead, allow me to say that firstly, there is something a tad hypocritical about having characters in a show on the channel which contains some of the worst words which degrade women and then turning around and saying "oh but you can't say that in a review". Just saying but I appreciate Amazon don't make the rules and I know this is IMDb but I won't risk it. So, what Ms. Waller Bridge jokes about and does in the first 5 minutes I personally a/ do not find funny and b/ find completely unnecessary and degrading to women. I'm not a prude, I love sex, especially intimate tantric sex; I'm not into cheap verging on the violent type of sex/sex talk which degrades women and men, both. I'm especially upset that so many shows and movies portray this so that young people are beginning to think that's what it's all about. Not that this show has it, but I'm so tired at the apparent necessity for most movies to include the scene where the main characters burst through a door, the man pushing the woman against a wall and them both ripping clothes off. Yawn. How many movies has that been in now? yes, of course there's passion, but where's the imagination people? Where's the romance? As a woman, I'd much prefer to see romantic, respectful, sexy sex scenes and talk than what happens here and I also like to be treated with respect.. by men and women alike. For the record, 90% of the reviews that are positive both here and on IMDb are written by men.

This is a show about an incredibly unhappy, dysfunctional woman who in this first episode defines her need to be loved by having sex with anyone who walks apparently, to the point of making nasty comments to a man who is respectful enough not to want to jump into bed with her on a first date.

The way the main character relates to everyone ...the negative, put down exchanges in which she engages with her sister, the loan officer in the bank.....on and on. It's not pleasant to watch. I find it depressing and the depression outweighs the comedy. I'm sorry but I don't think most people want to watch this kind of thing either. Perhaps Ms. Waller Bridge is desperately unhappy and she is working out her own emotional angst in her writing. But as some others reviewers have sad.. it's basically sad, pathetic and negative. When I have watched this stuff I don't come away feeling as though I've either been entertained nor uplifted, quite the opposite.

A big thumbs down. It's a pity as I think Phoebe is capable of writing funny stuff that doesn't need the shock value to be popular. Edit Delete

This kept popping up for me to view and at first I did not watch as I wasn't sure I would enjoy the setting... war time. But the appeal of watching two extraordinary actresses : Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond.. drew me in in the end. So glad I watched. I felt the first episode had to take time to set the stage and the characters and from there it just got better and better.

I can remember my Mother talking about the second world war and what the women did in particular during that time. I feel as though this series really captured the essence of the strength of the women and the strength of people, women and men, when outside threats bring a community together. I loved how the small arguments between the WI members at the beginning fall away into respect and friendship as the months continued.

Of course Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond are outstanding but so are the rest of the cast, women and men alike. Claire Rushbrook, with whom I am not familiar as I have lived in the US for many years, is absolutely outstanding in the role of Pat Simms. As for Mark Bazeley as Bob, her cruel & vindictive husband, he's terrific, I just wanted to punch him!

The authenticity of the locations, sets, clothing, make up etc is first class and it must be quite hard to achieve that.. we are talking about a time which is now 80 years ago.

Like other reviewers, I am dismayed that ITV canceled it. I recall the same reaction when BBC canceled 'Merlin" ... even though Merlin had more viewers than Home Fires. It seems that viewing figures of 5 - 6 million is not enough to constitute keeping a show going. I wonder what the other long running dramas get ? I simply refuse to believe that more than 50% of the general public want to watch the boring, CGI, violent, blood spattering, badly acted rubbish that is in most shows nowadays. That stuff is being marketed consistently and yet it is these shows, portraying a time when communication between men and women and people in general was gentler, more respectful and shows humanity that many people want to see.

Thank you to the producers, director, cast and production crew for making such an authentic and engaging show.

I hope that some other production company will have the courage to take this up and continue the story. Amazon, Netflix, Hulu... are you listening?

Absolutely loved this movie. The story had me spellbound. If you like the current genre of CGI / gratuitous violence/ flash flash flash, blood spurting/ "horror" with fake ghosts or copious blood ... this is not for you. However, if you are drawn to well written and well crafted pieces of film making that uses old fashioned good writing, direction and acting to create atmosphere... watch. I found the scenes in the isolated little house on Pine Ridge rather scary. Clearly the woman is seeing something supernatural, but what? The twist towards the end is brilliant; I did not guess it and thought it totally plausible. I really appreciated the inclusion of some Spiritual Lakota values in the form of the Grandfather who advises her to go cleanse and asks her if she's hearing voices. As he says, most people don't listen. Do you listen? That scene at the memorial for Wounded Knee was full of palpable energy and sentiment. I also liked the inclusion of the one word Tom says to the boyfriend "Respect". Aho! I have spent time on Pine Ridge and am fascinated by the Lakota culture which I consider to be one of the most inspiring & wise in the world. It was very well acted by all, very well directed and in short, a shining example of a terrific production on not much money. I also loved the music... gosh the Linn family seems to be multi talented.

Thank you for one terrific movie that also has something positive to say about life and values. Excellent.

Like other reviewers here, I saw the original in the UK when it came out. That was the first time I saw Samantha Bond who has gone on to become a very popular actress. At the time I was living in London and had something of a fascination for Japanese culture so for me this series was spell binding.

The love story is beautiful done; we feel for the woman who loves not just another man, but a man from another culture during a time when this was an absolute "no". Then to have her child taken from her, our heart strings are pulled in the extreme. A good movie or series starts with superb writing and this was certainly that.

The Japanese man who played the lead was excellent, as was Samantha Bond. The sets, the production captured the essence of the Japanese way of life and feel of the setting in Japan.

I too would love to be able to see this series, in its original entirety, once again. Let's hope somehow that happens.

I rated this show 3 because of the acting and the setting, which is lovely of course. I just had the same experience watching the latest adaption of Anne of Green Gables "Anne with an E". Why oh why do producers and directors insist on changing delightful stories set in earlier times with gentle communication and respect into dark, depressing versions ... it must only be so that it appeals to people nowadays who are so used to having dark, violent, hateful "entertainment" that this, which is not as bad as most dark shows, seems rather OK.

Like other reviewers here, "My Family and Other Animals" upon which this show is based, was one of my favorite books as a child and teenager. I must have read it at least 20 times, along with the follow up "Birds Beasts and Relatives" and more. I grew up in the UK reading both Gerry's and Larry's books.

* The family were NOT hard up for money! For heaven's sake, they were "upper class", attended public (that means PRIVATE schools) and didn't work. They did not move to Corfu with nothing. When they arrived on Corfu, they most certainly did not WALK up the hill and the "Strawberry pink" villa, as described by Gerald Durrell in 'My family and other animals" was not falling apart. No one was foraging for food.

* Mrs.Durrell was described by Gerry as rather absent minded, eccentric, with a love of cooking and someone who kept open house for Larry's artistic friends and anyone else any of the children brought home. She was not a single Mom constantly bemoaning her lack of money and the fact her children didn't help!

* The Durrells could be described as "bohemian"or open minded and yes eccentric (like Leslie coming down naked in the room while Mrs. Durrell is entertaining the Vicar saying "that bloody boy's left a pile of bloody snakes in the bloody bath!") Mrs. Durrell would not have gone and visited another English woman on the island and complained about Corfu. They were open and embraced the island, people and culture.

* The book was full of sun, gorgeous descriptions of the beauty there, the characters and the harmonious, fun time had by all the family while there. The book was funny and uplifting.

I'm on episode 2 and this is just depressing. The actors are doing the best they can but this is just so wrong. Thank heavens all the Durrells are dead because I can imagine they would be suing the producers and directors for producing something which is so absolutely the opposite of what they experienced and wrote about.

The only people writing positive reviews are the ones (as with "Anne with an E" who haven't read the book. To those people, I say, do yourselves a favor and read the books!

Well I just finished this series. Like another reviewer I wanted to see it to the end to see what that brought. I agree the cinematography was wonderful. The cast... wonderful although when I just saw that Jennifer Ehlie auditioned for GJ but it went to Holly Hunter.. yes of course it would. Holly is a favorite of the Director. I think Ehlie would probably had given a fuller performance.

But the plot. Well here's the thing. A woman who had herself been raped in that town would have picked up on the town Dectective sooner.. don't you think? Or even a woman who had not been raped, but someone used to dealing with sexual abuse and a good police woman?

It was dark. Very dark. Teenagers dying because the Mother won't stand up or speak about the level of corruption in the town? Men who appear to treat all women as objects, nothing more? Even Matt's first visit to Paradise... aggressive and yet one of the women follows him for a fling? Are we to understand that the beauty of the area keeps people from leaving such oppression?

I suppose the subject matter was not entirely something I would be necessarily drawn to. That's a testament to the aforesaid cinematography and acting...which kept me watching.

I believe the final word I would leave is disturbing. This series left me disturbed at the degradation & level of human suffering while giving no hope that things can change. I suppose I must be one of those old fashioned people who looks for and finds in real life inspiration & hope alongside the worst situation.. that was not portrayed here.

I agree with the reviewer who commented that the series got better every year. Having just watched the final episode, I am bereft.

Great writing is the key to all great movies & TV and this is no exception. The writing has been strong throughout giving the actors and directors and the rest of the crew something great with which to work.

Even though "magic" is a major part of the show, those in charge did not make the mistake of using too many special effects; the effects are there but not overdone.

.. and joy of joys, the dialogue although updated is not violent as so many shows are these days. It reflects the values of honor, respect and courage that are so often talked about by the characters.

Terrific acting by Colin Morgan, Bradley James and the rest of the cast.

True Romance, honor among men & women, castles, horses & jousting, Merlin has it all. It's the stuff dreams are made of.

Bravo!

This is a movie I watch about once a year. The opening 10 minutes are worth it alone... Emma Thompson's lilting voice reading Shakespeare's verse "Hey Nonny Nonny" about philandering men against the backdrop of gorgeous Tuscany: the white bodices of the women, the red of the grapes and then the scene with the men riding in ... great movie making!!

The banter between Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Thompson) is perfect, I loved all the American actors, particularly Denzel Washington as the Prince and Keanu Reeves as the bastard brother.. they were both very good. I also really appreciate Branagh's interpretation of Shakespeare and his delivery.. and the way he encourages the ensemble to deliver Shakespeare, so much more real than the awkward Shakespeare delivery of old.

With any Shakespeare piece, you know the story has to be excellent and Much Ado About Nothing is no exception. This is a wonderful romp through the countryside of Tuscany, the music is very good, there are some hilarious scenes and the costumes are just magical. My teenage daughters love it too and I have introduced this movie to teenagers and young people not "into" Shakespeare and they all loved it.

10 stars. This movie will last.

For anyone fascinated by the near death experience, this is a must see movie. A true story based on the life of Dannion Brinkley it portrays in a realistic manner the effects of having a near death experience on the person who has the near death event and those around him.

Roberts is wonderful as usual and the rest of the cast support him beautifully.

On a Spiritual note, I think this is a movie for all those to see who wonder about what happens after death.....

An excellent, above average made for TV movie Would love to see Eric given a truly meaty role these days; he is always excellent in the supporting roles he appears to have been doing for the past few years.. but c'mon .. someone give him a lead role in something substantial!!!

ahhh! One of those wonderful movies that just makes you feel good... and reminds you that the most important things in life are people and animals....you know... Love

Well written, good acting... particularly from Louis Gossett Jnr & L. Scott Caldwell but also from the two main characters and rest of the cast. Predictable? Perhaps... but didn't matter at all...

The addition of Rachel's character is inspired and the young actress who plays her does a sterling job.

The movie has a tangible "magical" quality throughout and does just what it set out to do..... remind us all to believe. Wonderful! thank you!