The Shell Seekers Details

Well worth watching

If you have read the book the Shell Seekers and have watched any previous versions of this film you may be disappointed. If you haven't heard of the Shell Seekers before then this could be the film for you.

The film has a number of well known actors in it including Vanessa Redgrave who is obviously the star of the show. You'll recognise other 'faces' from the more recent 'Trial and Retribution' and 'Lark Rising to Candleford'.

It is one of those films that allows you to escape into the past and you don't have to concentrate on what is happening before you lose the plot.

It all starts in the early 1980s with Vanessa Redgrave discharging herself from hospital after suffering a mild heart attack. It appears that although her children in their own way care for their mother two of them can't wait to get their hands on some money - a good sub plot therefore re: relationships.

The viewer should feel sorry for the main character - you start wishing that someone would take her and share the past delights of Cornwall with her.

Towards the end of the film time switches to the past and to the war years - again relationships are explored.

The only criticisms of this film which therefore warrent 4 stars rather than 5 stars are the sudden ending and some scenes being too brief and the all too brief appearance of Prunella Scales, which is such a shame because she is, in my opinion, such a good character actor.

Well worth a watch on these cold, dreary evenings.

[Highly rated reviewer]

not as good as book

I enjoyed this, especially Vanessa Redgrave in the lead role, but thought the film gave short shrift to one of the most important themes in the book; her relationship with Richard, her lover. It was only skecthily dealt with at the end of the film. The greed, which is so often generated in families by the prospect of parents possessing valuable treasures, which offspring hope to benefit from, was sharply portrayed. The grasping but uncaring son reminded me many people from real life. The costumes and art direction were excellent; very evocative.