Customer Reviews

All Creatures Great & Small - The Complete Series 5 Collection

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My husband and I were disappointed with the fifth season of the " All Creatures Great and Small Series". The first three seasons and specials were well written, directed and acted. However in the latter portion of the fourth season and the entire fifth season is appears the BBC cut corners on this production. The writing, acting and directing are mediocre at best. Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy and Peter Davison give outstanding performances as James, Sigfried and Tristian. However we did not care for Linda Bellingham as Helen Herriot. Her performance is cold, she is like a robot going through the motions of saying her lines. Carol Drinkwater gave life, humor and class to Helen. Her performance actually made you believe she is Helen and always will be. Overall this dvd is must for your " All Creatures Great and Small " dvd collection if you are a die hard James Herriot fan.

This fifth series marked the half way point in All Creatures adventures, after being resurected after WW2. This classic BBC production is no longer based on the books of James Herriot, new writers based stories on the wonderful character performances of Robert Hardy (Senior partner Seigfried) Peter Davison (Brother Tristan) Christopher Timothy. (James Herriot) In addition to which, there is now colourful Scottish vet Callum Buccannon, intoduced during series 4, to assist the partners in practice, and his love affair with Diedre, former girlfriend of Tristan, is chartered in the episodes.

One continuing handicap of the later series was Carol Drinkwater no longer played Helen Herriot, the role was thereafter the war assumed by Lynda Bellingham, who tended to play every part she got exactly the same. Thus she was never really Helen, simply Lynda Bellingham joining the family. Continuity errors dogged the programme, with things like the all too fast aging of the Herriots children, never again seeing Siegfrieds family.

However, if you can overlook those shortfalls, there are still some wonderful moments to enjoy, with cantankerous farmer Biggins making James life difficult, Seigfrieds frustrations of slow paying clients, the escapades of Callum and Tristan, and gregarious local vet Granville Bennet, all helping to create nostalgic moments to treasure.

The weakest series of All Creaures, but the many fans will still need to complete their collection.

Series 4 seemed to drag, and was missing that special liveliness of the "Creatures" series. Series 5 redeems the series.
It has new stories, nostalgia, new characters, old characters, romance, emotion--basically, it was a joy to watch. It was a homecoming.
Lynda Bellingham gets more comfortable in her role, and it was easier to accept her as Helen Herriot. The chemistry between her and Christopher Timothy improved tenfold.
Robert Hardy is still perfect as Siegfried, Peter Davison still has that spark of mischief, and Chris Timothy is a delight as James. John McGlynn as Calum returns, and his character is given more room to explore. The results are wonderful. Calum and his girlfriend Deirdre add spice to the storyline, and their characters rightfully earn a place in this series. Fine and masterful acting all around.
Mr. Biggins is back, as is Tricki Woo--and oh my, Little Nellie Dimmock makes an appearance....
Don't let the slow pace of series 4 deter you from owning this. Creatures fans need this!

I enjoyed the final series for this program. The only complaint I had was that the writing was tired. They redid some situations that were done in previous episodes - just changed the Actors. I also missed some of the Actors that had moved on including the original Helen - James's wife, and Mrs. Hall the house keeper.

This British Series is one of the greatest ever produced. We have purchased all 5 Complete Collections and the one-time special. The actors playing the veterinarians in these series certainly earned their salaries. In addition, the series contains some really remarkable characters. We recommend these DVD's to everyone. If there is ever released a Series 6, we will buy that too.

If you like animals, are not squimish (there are a lot of actual scenes involving surgery, birth and general yuk), and like to laugh you will love this series of DVD's featuring a veterinarian, his practice and his family.

Set in late 1940's and early 1950's, the series is based on real life situations in the Yorkshire Dales of England. James Herriot's beloved stories published in several books have now been brought to the screen.

I have enjoyed the books and now can enjoy the series on DVD as well.

The Brits have always managed to produce top shows. My favourite being "Are You Being Served?" I think it's the funniest comedy ever made.

Their dramas are no less impressive. I've always been a big fan of All Creatures Great and Small, but am disappointed at the slow pace with which the BBC has released this series on DVD.

Anyone who has watched the original series broadcasts knows there are still series 6 & 7 and one more special titled Brotherly Love, to go before we reach the end.

For some reason the BBC is dragging its heels in bringing this to completion.

The acting from the three main characters (James, Siegfried and Tristan) makes the whole series worthwhile. And the show itself takes us back to a time of innocence, simple pleasures, proud traditions and a less hectic lifestyle.

If there is one criticism I have it's that for people that were supposed to have such a great deal of compassion for pets and people alike, they display very little emotion whether facing tragedy or triumph in the series. I mean, for Pete's sake even Christ was known to have wept.

But these characters forge onward with a stiff upper lip through all trials and tribulations. Sadness is never allowed to be expressed except with disdain. Even when Tristan is off to war before the others all his brother can muster is a handshake and a "take care". A tear of joy or sadness now and then would have done wonders for giving their characters a sense of true humanity.

That said, the show is truly entertaining and filled with wit, charm, drama and nostalgia all delivered with fine acting aplomb from most, if not all, of the cast.

It's TV at its finest and highly recommended to all.

Although it is many years ago since I first watched 'All Creatures Great and Small' on television, I have never forgotten it, and since it has became available in DVD format, I put it on the top of my wish list, and this past Christmas I got Series 1-5, and have been relishing in them ever since. How delightful they are - and how I wish today's television had the same delightful, decent, quality as they do. I'd recommend them to anyone who wants to enjoy intelligent quality entertainment - no four letter words and removing of clothes in 'All Creatures Great and Small'

It's a fantastic series. Series 5 really let's you see the Harriet Family a little older and life progressing for all of the characters. I would recommend this series to any lover of rural life - especially in the Yorkshire Dales.

Anyone who has read the Herriot books will really enjoy these series. They are true to the flavor and humour of the Herriot stories. The animals are fun, sad, frustrating but the human characters are often moreso. It may take a bit of time up front, if you're not familiar with the English/Yorkshire accent, to get used to the local lingo and decipher what they are saying, but it doesn't take long before it's second nature to your ears. Wonderful stories for children and adults alike. These are classics, don't pass them up.