"The Shell Seekers" or "Die Muschelsucher" is a co-production between Germany and the UK from 2006, so this one is already over a decade old. IMDb says it's a German language project, but looking at the title and cast, I have doubts about that. Anway, it runs for slightly under 3 hours in total, but it may very well be possible that there are shorter versions out there and that they cut some stuff from the original to fit this project into a 20:15 television movie. The two big names here are of course Oscar winners Redgrave and Schell and I genuinely wonder how they got actors of that category to appear in a film based on cheesy schmaltz romance writer Rosamunde Pilcher's work. Oh well, maybe it has to do with the fact that this work was previously adapted into a well-received film in the past, one that starred Angela Lansbury in Redgrave's role. Oh yeah Sebastian Koch is in here too, but his screen time is so tiny that I certainly would not recommend his fans to sit through almost 180 minutes for that. Maybe check out video platforms for his scene. Schell is in it longer, but also not that much really that his fans need to see it. Those who maybe want to are the fans of the talented Vanessa Redgrave. She has decent screen time and material and is basically the only aspect that keeps this from becoming a garbage movie. But only she can do so much to slightly elevate the really weak script and make up for all the extremely forgettable British cast members in here. As always with Pilcher, there are such important subjects in here like money, greed, death, marriage and most of all love and also as always with Pilcher films these subjects are handled in ways that are horrifyingly bad. I cannot say if the writer is to blame or if the filmmakers are at fault, but I can say that this film here cannot even be saved by the stars that show up on the cast list. What were you thinking Nessa? It's a thumbs-down, don't watch. Way too long too, so if you find a shorter version, go for that one, but make sure it's not just the first half or so. Or skip it altogether, may be the wisest choice actually.

This film has a split personality. The scenes, which depict 1982, are so poor that I'm amazed that they didn't end up on the cutting room floor. Vanessa Redgrave gave her usual performance of Vanessa Redgrave. After watching this film I'm even more convinced than ever that if her family hadn't had been in the theater she would have never got a part in anything, and that includes her local am/dram productions. She swans around as if she's smoked a lot of cannabis in the 60's and she still hasn't completely come back to reality. She takes being languid to its extremities. The acting of Redgrave, and the majority of the cast, could only be described as "Ham" of the first order. The part of the film depicting the war years was totally different. It held my attention, it was well acted and believable, it turned a very poor production into something rather less painful.

I caught this movie tonight and was completely enchanted, due in no small part to the acting, which was strong and believable throughout. Vanessa Redgrave is always dependable, of course, but the supporting performances--particularly Nancy, Antonia, and the young Penelope--were outstanding. I saw the ending coming yet it didn't diminish my enjoyment of this film one bit--there was just no way Penelope's scheming, greedy children were going to get those sketches, as they were meant to serve a far more worthy and noble purpose. BRAVO PENELOPE! Very good movie that made me want to read the book on which it's based, which I will. By all means, watch The Shell Seekers if you can, and enjoy!

I have to admit that as much as I dislike Vanessa Redgrave for her political views, she gave a wonderful performance in this film.The story of a painter, whose paintings are worth a fortune and are desired by two greedy children, is an absolute artistic treasure.Flashbacks are beautifully realized to show the unhappy life of the Redgrave character during World War 11. It depicts a war-bride marriage and a tragic love affair.When the boyfriend of Redgrave's youngest daughter's b is killed in a boating accident, his daughter goes to live with Redgrave and the two develop an important bond.The ending will forever tug at your heart and you will know that Redgrave did right in her will.Max Schell appears briefly as young Redgrave's artist. He is great here and shows a completely American accent.