"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:

Tristan Farnon: [said frequently] You're out of your *mind*, Siegfried!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Blue Peter: (#1.1613)" (1980)

A brilliant and authentic recreation of the Herriott stories

The original series of 41 episodes was a beautifully accurate version of the Herriott books. Superb acting is expected in a British production, and this is no exception, as the actors do an amazing job of capturing the essence of the even the minor characters. The vets, Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy and Peter Davison are especially true, as is Carol Drinkwater (most superior to her replacement as Helen). The series also captures the essence of the Yorkshire Dales: the lovely green hillsides, wide vistas and individualistic spirit. Visiting that area is like stepping into the Herriott stories, as we discovered in 1982 and many subsequent visits. And having a pint with the cast between shooting on location showed us how authentic the series is. Many people don't realize that these are not `warm, fuzzy' animal stories. Each episode has a moral point to make and makes it subtly, through action not speeches. The series is also inspirational, for it is, implicitly, the story of the birth of scientific veterinary medicine.