"All Creatures Great and Small" (1978) TV series 1978-1990

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

8 January 1978 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

The trials and misadventures of the staff of a country veterinary office in 1940's Yorkshire.

Plot Keywords:

Yorkshire | Remake | Veterinarian | Medical

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Christopher Timothy	...	James Herriot (89 episodes, 1978-1990)
Robert Hardy	...	Siegfried Farnon (89 episodes, 1978-1990)
Peter Davison	...	Tristan Farnon (64 episodes, 1978-1990)
Lynda Bellingham	...	Helen Herriot (46 episodes, 1988-1990)
Mary Hignett	...	Mrs. Hall (40 episodes, 1978-1980)
Carol Drinkwater	...	Helen / ... (39 episodes, 1978-1985)

Also Known As:

All Creatures Great & Small (UK) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

50 min (91 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:G | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Askrigg, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

During the filming of the second series (shown September-December 1978), Christopher Timothy broke his leg in a car crash. Some of the storylines had to be altered to explain why James Herriot was walking with a limp, or spent most of his time in the surgery rather than going out to farms to treat animals.

Quotes:

Mrs. Pumphrey: [orders Hodgekin to throw rings for her Pekinese, Tricki Woo. He throws one feebly] Oh, a little further than *that*, Hodgekin!
Mrs. Pumphrey: [he throws it miles] Not into the rose bed, Hodgekin! We wouldn't want Tricki to get pricky-paw!
Hodgekin: [muttered] Who wouldn't?
Mrs. Pumphrey: *What* was that? What was that, Hodgekin?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cult of...: All Creatures Great and Small (#2.1)" (2008)

One of the very best shows ever produced, period.

Set in the ruggedly beautiful Yorkshire Dales during the years leading up to WW2, All Creatures Great & Small follows the adventures of a veterinary practice supporting the local farming community in 1930s Northern England. This wonderful adaptation of the books by James Herriot has timeless appeal for the whole family. I've watched the series in its entirety three or four times since it was made and it still remains fresh and very enjoyable. In addition to an abundance of charm and humor, the quality that makes this TV series so exceptional is believability. After watching a few episodes, the viewer becomes convinced that James Herriot, Sigfried Farnon, and his brother Tristan Farnon are really qualified vets...just watch one or two of the many scenes involving surgery or calfing and you will see my point. Real proceedures, which the actors actually perform, are conducted under the expert guidance of qualified vets on the set, including the author James Herriot himself. The many and varied supporting actors are also convincing as real people involved in real situations. The leading cast led by Christopher Timothy as James Herriot, Robert Hardy as Siegfried Farnon, Peter Davidson as his brother Tristan, and Carol Drinkwater as James' wife Helen, are all fabulous. The powerful presence of Robert Hardy as Siegfried is particularly compelling, and its easy to see why he's considered by many to be the finest actor in Britain. When compared to other programs of its genre and indeed other TV series in general, this adaptation of the classic All Creatures Great & Small is simply outstanding. Eleven out of ten.