| Turtle Diary | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John Irvin |
| Written by | Russell Hoban (novel) Harold Pinter (screenplay) |
| Produced by | Richard Johnson Bernard Sofronski (Executive Producer) |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Peter Hannan |
| Edited by | Peter Tanner |
| Music by | Geoffrey Burgon |
| Distributed by | Rank Film Distributors[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Turtle Diary is a 1985 Britishfilm directed byJohn Irvin and starringGlenda Jackson,Ben Kingsley, andMichael Gambon. Based on a screenplay adapted byHarold Pinter fromRussell Hoban's novelTurtle Diary, the film is about "people rediscovering the joys of life and love".[2] The film contains elements ofromance,comedy, anddrama and has been described as aromantic comedy.[citation needed]
Two lonely Londoners - Neaera Duncan, a children's author (Glenda Jackson), and William Snow, a bookstore assistant (Ben Kingsley) - find common ground when visiting the sea turtles atLondon Zoo. Independently, each perceives that the turtles are unnaturally confined, and they hatch a plan with the assistance of zookeeper George Fairbairn (Michael Gambon) to smuggle them out and release them into the sea.
Their release of the turtles is a metaphor for their escape from their inhibitions.
Harold Pinter has acameo role as a man in the bookshop where William and Harriet work.
In his 1985 review of the film forThe Sunday Telegraph, David Castell observes that Pinter's screenplay concentrates on developing dialogue and plot, leaving clues for the actors to convey their characters' subtle emotional and psychological development: "It is hard to think of two actors better matched to play Pinter thanGlenda Jackson andBen Kingsley. They milk every nuance, point up every missed beat and relish each irony and repetition in the script. …Turtle Diary is a fine film that charts movingly the unnoticed despair of everyday lives, the sufferings of those who endure loneliness in silence."[2]
The film grossed $2.2 million on its American theatrical release.
The film was released on videocassette in 1985 by Vestron Video. The film has not been released on DVD.
Critically hailed as a mini-masterpiece, TURTLE DIARY is the enchanting film of people rediscovering the joys of life and love. … Outside of their chance meetings at the aquarium, they have little in common, but an inspiration to free the captive turtles starts a bond that gives their lives a new outlook. The 'turtlenappers' are about to set their own spirits free.