[shutters creak]
♪
LESLIE: He's back, everyone!
LARRY: Oh, how I've missed this!
Yeah!
LESLIE [on jetty]: Hey, Larry, wait for me!
Mind your head or I'll jump on it!
Les! LESLIE: Coming in!
No!
LARRY: Still gruesomely pea-brained!
LESLIE: Still full of bullshit, I see!
♪
Spiros' wife had an affair with Basil?
Silly Baz?
Oh, don't.
I feel so guilty about it.
Leslie was only trying
to help Spiros and I be together.
He's been cycling around desperately trying to find...
Hello, darling. Hello.
Well, my travels were eye-opening, thanks for asking.
Ugh, Gerry!
I was approached in Athens to work...
[whispers]: ...for British intelligence.
I said no, of course.
Or did you?Yes, I did.
Oh, I'd love to be a spy-- can you put my name forward?
Please?Start a war...
No, don't.
I don't need to be a spy--
I combat idiocy through my art.
And I thought we could put on a play
to celebrate me being back.
Let's do Porgy and Bess!
No, we're too white.
Oh, yeah.I've written a play.
It's The Odyssey, adapted to tell our story
since we came to Corfu.
Well, I'm not doing it-- the theater's daft.
That's a shame-- I had you down for Odysseus, the hero.
[gasps]
I need a distraction-- I'll play him.
[laughs] Well, I did bring you all here
on an epic Greek journey, which we are still on.
LARRY: Very good.
LOUISA: Thank you.
Oh, just to update you, Europe's on the brink of war.
Another reason to do a rip-roaring theatrical satire
on the folly of battle.
Yes, but this is the safe end of Europe.
Hardly-- Italy's invaded Albania.
That's only two miles over the water.
Well, we're all ignoring it.
We're all back together, and we're not going anywhere.
♪
[dog barks]
[animals grunting and squealing]
[women cheering]
[animals braying]
[gun fires]
[birds squawking]
♪
[animals grunting]
♪
[grunts]
Aren't you interested in the world, Mother?
There's been too much going on around here.
The world's come a poor second.
[blows]
You can't live your life in denial.
If you had lived through the Great War,
you'd be less keen to discuss a new one.
And more keen on innocent pleasures.
Like spoon making.
[knock at door]
The returning belle-lettrist!
The dapper bewhiskered polymath!
Ah, the curse of overeducation.
Theo, we'll talk later-- I must finish my play.
Oh, you're God, by the way.
Oh!
Praise be.
[laughs]: How are you?
A little wistful since finding this.
[exhales sharply, sets spoons down]
Four years and twice the size.
[sighs]
Do me a favor, Supreme Being.
Stop the years
rushing by.
♪
[children speaking Greek]
GERRY: This is a python.
I was given her by a retiring pet shop owner.
Asian geese.
They're another pair that breeds for life.
Unlike a lot of humans.
[chuckles]
Galini!
My Greek friend will explain that
in her beautiful way.
Yeah.
[speaking Greek]:
[sighs]
Sit down, please.
I have an announcement.
Hm!
I've learnt a lot about myself over the last few months.
I'm more mature and less stupid than I suspected.
Do you not notice?
Yes.
I'll shout out if I disagree about anything.
Okay.
But in one way, I'm not yet a woman,
and I want to correct that
by giving myself to Nikos.
[inhales]
[no audio]
You're brilliant as a fish.
Any thoughts as a mother?
Well...
Do you...
Do you love Nikos?
I find him enormously attractive,
and making love is supposed to be huge fun.
Well, I can't really remember.
I said no to Zoltan, even though he was very keen,
to put it mildly.
There were times I thought he'd explode.
I don't really need
to know the ins and outs.
Now I'm wondering,
what am I waiting for?
[sighs]
♪
[grunts]
[gasps]
I forgot the corkscrew, sorry.
Another idea that seemed good when you started,
Leslie Durrells.
That's really not fair, Spiros.
I only did it so that you could be with my mother.
Oh, you might swallow bits of glass
and die.
[gasps]: I don't care.
Well, my mother cares about you.
[pouring wine]
[softly]: Thanks.
It's easier here, living on the beach.
Just me and the seagulls.
There's nothing stopping you and my mother being together.
Surely.
I mean, apart from pride.
Pride has a poor reputation, but I like it.
Without it,
I am just a homeless taxi driver.
No, that's rubbish.
No, I know your problem.
You've loved my mother ever since you met her,
and you feel guilty because...
Because that's what broke your marriage.
And the only cure for that
is to stop feeling guilty and feel happy.
By coming back to the house,
and being with her.
Please.
♪
[bell tolling]
[wheels clattering, Lugaretzia singing softly]
[birds scattering]
[muttering]
[speaking Greek]:
So we open our play
on Odysseus,
the foremost fighting hero of Greek mythology,
with your crew.
Your ship lands among the magical Lotus-eaters,
where travelers eat fruits
and lose thoughts of home.
Is that Corfu, yes?We get it...
But where's Leslie?
He's supposed to be doing the stage management.
LARRY: Uh, Luga, where did you get these?
I borrow them.
We have actors in my family.
Well, that's fabulous!
No.
[softly]: Right.
♪
[muttering]
♪
Nikos must be in the play.
LARRY: Must? Yes.
I will do the music.
He's really musical.
[Nikos drumming rhythmically]
Well, I mean, um...
We can work on that.
Oh, by the way,
congratulations on your forthcoming union.
[knock at door]
Ah, the Durrells Players,
back, despite popular demand.
[chuckles]: And you're in it, too.
Sven has agreed, and your husband.
Oh! Oh, he'll love that-- what parts?
You, a Siren.
Obviously.
And the Wind God, your husband.
Oh.
You've heard about him, then?
LARRY: Spiros.
We've missed you.
♪
I really wasn't pushing you away from your wife.
Marriage is...
Well, as we know, it's precious.
Well, I'm realizing that even precious things end.
We all love a sunset,
but only a fool tries to chase it around the world.
[laughs]
Hark at you with your nature metaphors.
Mrs. Durrells, you deserve the finest everything,
including language.
I'm going to ask you, formally and forever,
to call me by my first name.
Louisa.
[chuckles]
Louisa. [laughs softly]
[softly]: Louisa.
[laughs]
What does it mean?
I believe it means
"famous warrior."
Worrier?
Warrior.
[both laugh softly]
I am Spiridon.
Meaning "a basket for carrying seeds."
Hm!
[they chuckle]
Mr. Halikiopoulos is needed on stage.
I'm in your play?
All are-- there is no escape.
[Lugaretzia and Spiros speaking Greek]
Mrs. Durrell, while you're alone, might I have a word?
Theo, try as you may, with your grave face,
you cannot dent my sunny mood.
My friends in Athens say
the political situation in Greece is, is dire.
Pressures in Europe are mounting.
Well, we're not leaving until we absolutely have to,
if ever.
Well, I'm glad, but I had to say, uh...
I don't want to break Gerry's heart,
but he should dismantle his zoo.
No.
THEO: Otherwise, if the worst happens,
he may have to just abandon his animals.
Look at me.
I'm sorry, but you must be ready to go if things change.
♪
MAN [on radio]: Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler
have pledged not to invade Greece.
[mimicking "Herr Hitler"]
MAN [on radio]: ...under its prime minister,
Ioannis Metaxas.
But the Italian invasion of Albania
has cast doubt on these assurances.
[children talking quietly, radio continues in background]
[clears throat]: Gerry.
Theo.
I don't want to have to say this.
That's just what I said to Larry.
"Woe and thrice woe!"
Nobody says that.
I suggested, "Bloody hell!"
"Nightmare!" [laughing]
But I was thinking,
you might thin out your zoo a little.
♪
What? Why?
Because...
I suddenly thought it was looking rather crowded.
Well, that's just because you live alone.
You could move a, a dozen wildebeest into your place
and you'd hardly notice,
apart from the broken furniture.
[laughing]: Well, good one.
Some might need to spread their wings while they can,
however much we'd like to keep them here.
[sighs]
♪
[footsteps approaching, Leslie muttering]
[shuddering]
[sighs] What's your problem?
Oh, I have to make a mask for a cyclops.
He's only got one eye, apparently.
Ridiculous.
You should be doing this.
I'm busy.
I'm researching how girls around the world
celebrate becoming a woman.
There's a lot about being watched by the village,
which we won't be doing.
I think I'll keep it simple-- incense, white robes before,
red robes after.
Yeah, do what you feel's best.
♪
Good luck, you two.
Hang on to your hats.
Shall I bring you some prophylactics from the surgery?
No.
I borrowed some.
You borrowed some?
Right!
♪
LESLIE: Good.
Right, Spiros, let's see how this looks.
[exhales]: Okay, um...
Larry?
SPIROS: How do I look?
Look, I've done the best I can
with my limited knowledge and interest!
A visit from the Corfu police.
Always a pleasure-- I hope.
Hello, everyone.
Leslie.
Lampros.
I see you've been promoted.
Yes.
Time to be a serious policeman at these serious times.
In the name of the Greek government,
I order you to surrender your wirelesses.
LOUISA: Why should we give you our...
[interrupting]: No, we don't have a wireless.
Aren't you a bit tiny to be a copper?
I know you do.
And I will come back tomorrow for it.
Or you risk prison.
LOUISA: Yes, do they not have
a minimum height requirement in the Corfu police?
No, nor maximum stupidity.
Oh, all right.
He's just doing his job.
I will take this.
It is also for propaganda.
♪
LOUISA: Oh, Larry.
How will you survive without your typewriter?
LARRY: Some things are more important even than writing.
But this is all worse than I thought.
MAN [on radio]: The Greek regime has maintained
a vigorous anti-communist stance in recent years,
but accusations of fascist sympathies
have been denied.
In Germany,
members of the Hitler Youth have been instructed
they may not eat ice creams in public.
[sizzling]
Ah, Nikos.
[puts utensils down]
I think tomorrow might be our night.
Don't you think, after the play?
A breathtaking encore.
[whispers]: Cast of two.
You told everyone you are giving me your maidenhead.
No, maidenhood.
Maidenhead is in Berkshire.
I think.
I only told my mother.
And Leslie.
And Florence.
And the egg woman at the market.
You're right, I did tell a lot of people.
Break a leg!Theo, don't...
[sighs]
I'm regretting going public about the whole virginity thing.
It is quite rare that it's publicized in advance.
Is it?
[whispering]: Margo!
I've hidden the wireless.
So, if the police arrive at the house,
stick to the idea that we've never had one.
We've never had a house?
[in disbelief]: Never had a wireless.
I thought you said you'd become more mature!
Yes, I'm wondering about that now.
More theater things from my family.
[kisses loudly]
Woeful timing, but I have to go,
so I'm leaving you in charge of the play.
[stammering]: Me?
Yes.
Don't do that "I'm just a dim bloke" routine.
You're as bright as anyone here.
I'll be back soon.
This is silly, but he's normally
such a bastard.
[planes roaring in background]
It's a lovely day.
That is not relevant.
[explosions echoing in distance]
What are my orders?
You want me to do this
because it's looking bad out there, isn't it?
[pelican grunting]
[softly] Yes.
You've been so good to me, Theo.
But who knows?
I'm a member of the Optimists' Club.
They're all in it.
[water lapping]
I'm trying to see it as setting them all free,
but it feels more like losing a lot of friends.
I know.
Galini will be so upset when she finds out.
And all our visitors.
You've passed your enthusiasm on to so many people.
It's been a huge celebration of animal life.
[animals grunting and chirping in background]
So...
Some are ready to go back into the wild,
and others need human homes.
Don't worry, Roger.
You're family.
[Gerry whistles]
[squawking]
[insects chirping]
♪
[Lugaretzia muttering]
LESLIE: Plays are brilliant.
Oh, we should get a good audience.
I asked Argos, the gobby postman, to tell everyone.
They know the play's in English?
[chuckles]: Yes.
I said we'd do big,
self-explanatory gestures.
You go back to England?
Or not?
Not, Lugaretzia.
[footsteps approaching]
Nikos.
[sighs]
I'm sorry.
I made you look like a performing monkey
and turned a private moment into...
Well, a minor local event.
You're right.
Making love for the first time should be natural
and spontaneous.
Thank you.
So let's not go ahead with it.
♪
[kisses]
♪
First off, I want to get this attached to that wall.
Come on. [muttering]
I could do with some help!
MARGO [voiceover]: Mother.
I've decided to call off
the, you know, shenanigans with Nikos.
You were right.
Maybe we should be really in love.
Like you and Spiros.
Oh, is it that obvious?
Yes, it is.
Well, good.
So you'll save yourself for your wedding night.
I will if you will.
LESLIE: Can I have all actors for rehearsal, please?
Now, God is missing, so we'll be starting with scene six,
in which the sorceress Circe...
I prefer wisewoman.
Uh, not interested.
When she turns Odysseus's crew into pigs.
Oh, Galini, perfect timing.
You could be Gerry.
Get ready to be turned into a pig.
Now, the meaning of this scene
is that health provision on Corfu
is decidedly patchy,
but Florence at the surgery has been a godsend...
Uh, no time for meaning-- from the top.
Mmm...
[drum rolling]
LAMPROS: Good morning.
I have come to confiscate your wireless.
We told you, we haven't got one.
But we could all sing you a song
if you're after a little light music.
The time for joking
is over.
Hm.
Perhaps I should stop your play, as it is also propaganda.
LUGARETZIA [speaking Greek]:
FLORENCE [speaking Greek]:
You'd be superb if you fancied a part.
No.
My part is police officer.
Well...
I'm sure you are due an afternoon off.
Hmm?
Oh, divine. That's it!
That is spot on!
[others murmuring approval]
Thank you, thank you.
MARGO: What a handsome man!
[car horn honks]
Maybe just a little higher there.
Yes, do you want me to take it up?
Please do that.
[waves lapping, gulls calling]
Louisa.
[goat bleating]
Let's go for a drive.
And when I say "drive," I don't mean drive.
[chuckles]
We can't, I'm in a play.
And so are you.
Oh, yes.
[sighs]
But afterwards.
Where do you want to go?
[whispering]: To heaven.
[whispering]: I know the way.
[laughing]
[rings bell, speaking Greek]
Oh! The same to you.
Telegram.
Ah, thank you.
[bicycle riding off]
[cart approaching]
[Theo and Gerry talking]
What has happened?
[cart stops]
What's wrong?
Go, go inside, darling, I'll be in in a moment.
Go on!
♪
Basil's been killed.
In Albania.
Just for being English.
Oh, goodness.
"Always take the scenic route,"
he said.
[voice breaking]: "What's the hurry?"
Now I think there is a hurry.
You must take your family back to England.
[inhales, exhales]
♪
LOUISA: Basil didn't understand the risks.
So now we do.
I'm afraid
we have to leave Corfu.
LARRY: I've been told
there's a special chartered ship.
Leaves tomorrow.
A safe way back.
I don't think the play's really the thing now, do you?
We've got lots of decisions to make quickly,
and, well, a lot of goodbyes to get through.
♪
No.
We should do the play.
It was always a celebration of our time here.
Now it means even more.
[car engine starts]
[engine idling]
Come with us.
You loved America, you'll love England.
We still have a future.
You don't have much time.
Go in, make everyone happy,
the way you made me happy.
[pulls brake]
[shifts]
[engine revs]
♪
LESLIE: Okay, so this is the Land Of The Dead scene,
in which...
Odysseus is visited by his deceased loved ones
and heroes from the past.
[moaning, exhaling loudly]
[sound fading, boat moving through water]
HERMIONE: Come on, dear.
Self-immersion is never attractive.
You have a family to whip into shape.
I know it's sad to be leaving,
but we all roll on, don't we?
Alive... or dead.
[boat moving through water]
BASIL: Who am I playing?
I do a very good wild boar impression,
if that can be squeezed in.
[screeching]
LESLIE: Mother? [gasps]
[chuckles softly]
[sniffles]
[softly]: Leslie, you should be the hero.
It was always your part.
You'll be fabulous.
♪
It looks like it could be the last evening in Corfu
for some of us here, so...
Well, let's enjoy it, shall we?
♪
[exhales]
[moaning starts again]
[drumming]
[moaning continues]
[crickets chirping, bird hooting]
[whispering lines]
Why does the play make you so nervous?
LESLIE: You're all so artistic.
I see a...
tree, and you lot see...
Broccoli.
What?
Trees look like upside-down broccoli.
But think of all you've done since we came here.
You can do anything you set your mind to.
I can't.
I can't even have Daphne.
I still miss her.
I'm quite nostalgic.
Even for Aunt Hermione.
And your Zoltan.
Me too, actually.
I wrote to him saying I have a boyfriend,
and it's becoming serious,
and hoping he had a nice girlfriend,
but not meaning it.
[chuckles]
Mother and Spiros seemed very upset.
Yeah.
Adults can be very ploddy at getting what they want.
I know.
I told Mother to go and find Spiros on the beach.
What's that noise?
The house, breathing.
We know it so well.
It feels like a living thing.
♪
[drumming]
[goat bleating]
[chicken clucking]
♪
[goat bleating]
♪
[grunts]
I, I am Odysseus...
This is a dream come true for me.
He loves the amateur theater.
At medical school, my Hippolytus made the audience weep openly.
Anyone surprised by that?
Where have you been, Larry?
PETRIDIS: Shall we do warm-up vocals?
[speaking Greek]
Come on, darling, join in. [speaking Greek]
[repeating in Greek]
How are you feeling?
I don't want to leave.
I keep thinking about Zoltan.
Where does Turkey stand in the war?
I...
I don't know anything about the war.
[vocalizing]
[gong ringing]
[audience murmuring]
[lightly banging, increasing in volume]
[gong stops]
[woman chuckling, audience murmuring slightly]
[whispering]: What is it?
[whispering]: I am Odysseus.
[hesitantly]: I am Odysseus.
[stammers]: Come from across the sea.
Fearing nobody...
[quietly]: Ready for all...
[stammering]: And ready...
For all.
MARGO: And we the crew.
Willing
and devoted.
This island is lush...
[snaps fingers]...and fine.
[quietly]: Better, better.
Luga...Here is a native.
Mask down, here.
[audience murmuring]
No, no, no, no, Luga...
[forcefully]: Here is a native.
[snarls]
LESLIE: How strange and exotic she is,
to us.
LUGARETZIA:
[audience approving, clapping]
What the heck is she saying?
GERRY: I don't know.
We must learn this beautiful language.
♪
Be circumspect in this new land.
[imitating eating loudly]
Uh-oh.
[laughing]
[audience applauding]
[banging slowly]
[waves crashing]
♪
[breathing deeply]
♪
[chuckles softly]
I love you.
I wish it could just be us.
Together on this desert island.
I'd need a log cabin.
And a bed.
For us-- not too big.
[voice breaking]: So that we're always touching.
I can't go with you to England.
No, you must.
You can.
I cannot abandon my children and my country,
now of all times.
No.
[crying]
♪
What will I do without you?
What you did before.
You'll be beautiful,
and complicated.
[exhales]
And a mother to your wonderful, peculiar children.
♪
What will I do without you?
[chuckles softly]
[voice breaking]: You'll go on spreading your magic,
and I won't be here.
You will be here.
♪
[sniffles]
[exhales]
[crying]: Has it all been for nothing--
the, the waiting, the crying, and the longing?
[sobs]
Would you change it for us never having met?
♪
[swallows]
[sobs]
♪
[rattling]
[woman gasps, people speaking in Greek]
MAN: Sven!
[audience gasps]
[gasps]
[people shouting]
Are you having a good time?
[audience murmuring]
Not as good as me!
[exclaiming, people shouting]
It's a comic interlude by a priapic satyr!
Representing sexy Corfu.
[booing]
It's allowed, it's in Sophocles.
MAN [in distance]: Margo!
♪
Margo!
[audience murmuring]
Margo!
Wait for me!
Oh, my God, it's Zoltan.
[audience murmuring]
LESLIE: Behold.
MARGO: Zoltan!
LESLIE: Poseidon!
ZOLTAN: Margo!
MARGO: Zoltan!
Come timely from the sea.
[quietly]: Good work.
LESLIE [quietly]: Thank you.
ZOLTAN:
[engine starting]
Sorry!
Problem with the engine.
♪
ZOLTAN: Margo!
I hope I'm not too late.
[speaking Turkish]
[audience gasps]
♪
MARGO: Zoltan!
[murmuring]
♪
Don't give yourself to another man.
I am here now.
[people cheering and applauding]
♪
[gong rings]
And that's the interval.
GALINI:
GERRY: Please take him home with you.
THEO:
GERRY: Please don't eat them.
Uh, use their eggs, or just take them for walks?
Galini... Gerry, find a nice home for Martha.
That's for you, sir.
[gong rings]
LESLIE: Years passed.
Youths became men.
[whispers]: Sorry. In your own time.
And men...
became warriors.
[drum rattling]
[audience exclaiming]
[footsteps approaching]
Have you two been...?
That was quick.
I'm saying nothing.
I'll never be the same.
[groans]
Adventures blossomed.
Wild creatures were tamed.
[moaning]
♪
And lost affections...
were borne bravely.
How many great loves are we allowed in this lifetime?
Three?
Five or...
Or just one?
♪
Or maybe it's more
like a dozen...
[Larry grunts]
Bloody actors.
Mum!
[audience murmuring]
Come on.
[encouraging]Mum!
[chuckles softly]
[audience murmuring]
[chuckles]
As you're all here...
Tomorrow,
we leave this enchanted isle.
[audience murmuring]
You know it's been good when the idea of leaving
makes your heart seem to stop.
Hear! Hear!
[birds chirping]
You have put up with us Durrells
like a mother with a, an awkward baby.
You've lost your temper with us at times,
and we with you,
and now we're ready to leave home.
[audience members gasp]
We British are
reluctant Europeans.
But if there has to be a war,
my one wish is...
is that we realize, when it's all over,
that we need to love each other,
just a little bit more.
I'm afraid I haven't been following the play,
owing to a personal matter.
But I hear it's very good,
so thank you, Larry.
[audience murmuring]
Oh, and do read my novels.
[applauding]
And it's a perfect reminder
that for us, this has been quite a journey.
A bit like The Odyssey.
With nicer people.
[all laughing]
LARRY: Speaking of The Odyssey...
Come on...
[accordion playing]
[guitar accompanying]
And so the crew set sail,
but soon heard eerie and seductive singing...
[singers begin]
[actors singing wordlessly]
LOUISA: I can't believe it's our last day here.
LARRY: Can we now, of all times, enjoy the present?
GERRY: Well, that's killed the conversation.
How is Nikos bearing up?
Oh, Zoltan's taking him out for a drink.
I think I handled it quite badly.
There's been a lot of messy love since we got here.
[crunching loudly]
Uh...
Noisy?
[chuckling]
Thank you for being so grown-up about your animals, Gerry.
He tell me he will get them back in the morning
and put on boat.
Gerry!
Not all of them.
All right, conquering hero?
Mm, could be worse,
as we're about to swap paradise for Bournemouth.
Oh, shush.
Leslie, you were magnificent.
[chuckles]
LARRY: Very well done.
MARGO: You were brilliant, Les.
Thank you.
I...
I can't find a good way of saying this, but...
I'm not coming with you.
I'm staying here on Corfu.
Well, why?
I spent some time today with...
an associate...
who has a business...
Oh, sod it-- with a spy.
My intelligence contact.
MARGO: Ooh! Sshh!
MARGO: Is that why we're sitting in the sea, so nobody else can hear?
No, because it's too bloody hot.
It's always too hot in Greece.
I'm looking forward to frost and a big coat.
Please come home with us, Larry.
I can't.
When they start trying to take away your freedom of speech,
you have to stop talking--
you know what I mean--
and... help.
Let's raise a glass.
MARGO: Yeah.
No, not that Gerry-- water.
♪
SPIROS: To us all,
and these... sacred years...
And the future.
♪
To the future.[all toasting]
ALL: Yamas.
[glasses clinking]