donflo-2

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.

Having previously praised the mostly accurate authenticity of this series, this one was a total disappointment. The most crass inaccuracy (how on earth did it get past anyone with half a brain?) was showing an alleged Royal Navy Captain, working at the Admiralty no less, wearing a Thin, Military Moustache!!! There were 'No' moustaches in the British Navy. A full beard OR clean-shaven. Heads should roll for that one alone! Others - A 'hush, hush' secret establishment working on a 'secret' weapon without any security at all???? No guards, overt or hidden? Doors open to anyone? Known to be saboteurs operating in the area? The saboteurs themselves, only incompetent youths? A suitcase full of sticks of explosive detonating but not killing 4 people within a few metres??? A proved hostile 'neutral' diplomat known to be organising sabotage and nothing is done??? Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear. (145 words)

Realising that there are now fewer and fewer viewers who actually lived through the war years in Britain, the accuracy of the scene setting and events is remarkably good. However, in 'Bad Blood'- which we were told was set in 1942 - one of the Anthrax victims (Sam) was cured by using Streptomycin. This wasn't even developed until October 1943 (by Rutgers, in America) and only released for restricted use (i.e. NOT for general hospital use) until the following years. I am also baffled to remember any effort or 'campaign' (apart from the usual wartime shortages), to save light bulbs? Neither can I find a reference to it. However, that is quibbling and generally the programs are excellent, very authentic and almost scarily evocative of living through those days.