--- handlers/views_handler_field_date.inc	2009-02-21 23:36:42.000000000 +0000
+++ handlers/views_handler_field_date.inc	2009-05-29 08:28:22.000000000 +0100
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ class views_handler_field_date extends v
 
   function render($values) {
     $value = $values->{$this->field_alias};
+    // If the value is not a simple number then the database field is (most likely) defined as a datetime.
+    // Convert this back to a number to allow correct formatting.
+    if (!is_numeric($value)) {
+      $value = strToTime($value);
+    }
+    
     $format = $this->options['date_format'];
     if ($format == 'custom' || $format == 'time ago' || $format == 'raw time ago') {
       $custom_format = $this->options['custom_date_format'];