“All Creatures Great and Small” – 1978

Director(s)
Christopher Baker
Christopher Barry

Writer(s)
Johnny Byrne  writer
Brian Clark  adaptation
Brian Finch  writer
James Herriot  stories
Anthony Steven  writer

Producer(s)
Bill Sellars producer

Cast

Christopher Timothy – James Herriot
Robert Hardy – Siegfried Farnon
Peter Davison – Tristan Farnon
Carol Drinkwater – Helen Herriot née Alderson (1977-1985)
James Grout – Granville Bennett
Mary Hignett – Mrs. Edna Hall, housekeeper (1978-1980)
Pamela Salem – Zoe Bennett
Margaretta Scott – Mrs. Pumphrey
Teddy Turner – Hodgekin

Review by Mark Anthony Pearson
Beautiful, nostalgic drama, an evergreen classic

 

Based on the books of James Herriot, this is series one of the classic TV adaption. The series tells the story of newly qualified Scottish vet Herriot (Christopher Timothy) travelling to Yorkshire, to secure a job of assistant vet to Seigfried Farnhan (Robert Hardy) This first series tells how James gets the job, his first tentative steps in the practice, his courtship, and subsequent marriage to local girl Helen Alderton (Carol Drinkwater) and his first meeting with the youthful and philandering Brother of Siegfried, Tristan (Peter Davison)

Also in this series, Sigfrieds exasperation over his Brothers failiure to qualify, his hilarious attempts to organise the practise by employing a dragon like secretary, Winnifrid Harbottle!

The story of the vets unfolds against the impending world war two, often bringing into play nostalgic elements, like listening to Lamplight the wireless in the sitting room, cosy fireside chats, and mealtime cnversations, making the audience often appreciate the joy of home cooking, and the companionship of good friends and family.

James dedication to his work is at times, in the opinion of his partners, bordering on the obsessive… Also shining through is his innate caring attitude towards the community he has grown to love. But it is the towering performence of Robert Hardy as Siegfried, and his psychological battles with his Brother Tristan, which went a long way to making this series the gem that is is.