''Turtle Diary'' is a 1985 British

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

directed by John Irvin and starring Glenda Jackson, Ben Kingsley, and

Michael Gambon Sir Michael John Gambon (; born 19 October 1940) is an Irish-English actor. Regarded as one of Ireland and Britain's most distinguished actors, he is known for his work on stage and screen. Gambon started his acting career with Laurence Olivi ...

. Based on a screenplay adapted by

Harold Pinter Harold Pinter (; 10 October 1930 – 24 December 2008) was a British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor. A Nobel Prize winner, Pinter was one of the most influential modern British dramatists with a writing career that spanne ...

from Russell Hoban's novel ''Turtle Diary'', the film is about "people rediscovering the joys of life and love". The film contains elements of romance, comedy, and drama and has been described as a romantic comedy.

Synopsis

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 at

London Zoo London Zoo, also known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for science, scientific study. In 1831 o ...

. Independently, each perceives that the turtles are unnaturally confined, and they hatch a plan with the assistance of zookeeper George Fairbairn (

) to smuggle them out and release them into the sea. Their release of the turtles is a metaphor for their escape from their inhibitions.

Main cast

* Glenda Jackson as Neaera Duncan, a "Popular children's author … fearing her creative talents have evaporated, hoescapes into the dreamy world of sea turtles seeking inspiration in their beauty and grace." * Ben Kingsley as William Snow, "a humble assistant in a bookstore where he, too, dreams of the turtles." * Richard Johnson as Mr. Johnson, a neighbor of Neaera Duncan *

as George Fairbairn, the zookeeper charged with caring for the turtles *

Jeroen Krabbé Jeroen Aart Krabbé (; born 5 December 1944) is a Dutch actor and film director with a successful career in both Dutch and English-language films. He is best known to international audiences for his leading roles in the Paul Verhoeven films ''So ...

as Mr. Sandor, a neighbor of William Snow * Rosemary Leach as Mrs. Charlie Inchcliff, Williams Snow's landlady * Eleanor Bron as Miss Neap, a neighbor of William Snow * Harriet Walter as Harriet Simms, a colleague of William Snow at the bookstore * Nigel Hawthorne as the publisher of books by Neaera Duncan

has a cameo role as a man in the bookshop where William and Harriet work.

Critical reception and analysis

In his 1985 review of the film for '' The 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 than Glenda Jackson and Ben 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." The film grossed $2.2 million on its American theatrical release.

Home video

The film was released on videocassette in 1985 by Vestron Video. The film has not been released on DVD.

Notes

References

*Castell, David.
Review of ''Turtle Diary''
''

Sunday Telegraph ''The Sunday Telegraph'' is a British broadsheet newspaper, founded in February 1961 and published by the Telegraph Media Group, a division of Press Holdings. It is the sister paper of ''The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', kn ...

'' 1 Dec. 1985. Rpt. in ''HaroldPinter.org''.

, 2000–2003 009 Accessed 22 March 2009.

External links

* * *
"Films by Harold Pinter: Turtle Diary, 1984"
at ''HaroldPinter.org'' – ''The Official Website of International Playwright

'' (Includes production details and excerpt of film review by Castell.) {{John Irvin 1985 films British romantic comedy films 1985 romantic comedy films Films with screenplays by Harold Pinter Films directed by John Irvin Films about turtles Films set in zoos 1980s English-language films 1980s British films