Customer Reviews

All Creatures Great and Small, Series 2: Volumes 1-6 [VHS]

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

All Creatures Great And Small is by far my favorite BBC series and the #2 with the Christmas segment makes me cry everytime I see it. Set just as WW2 is beginning James is faced with joining the service, and the snow as they head off to midnight mass has begun to fall. The tinkers (gypsies) are camped out in a farmers shed and the young girls pet needs tending but the father doesn't accept charity.......... And then there is the testing the Christmas cake for the senior vet, Siegfried Farnon. The whole cast is 10 star. The main characters are James Herriot (Christopher Timothy), Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy), Tristan Farnon (Peter Davison) and Helen Herriot (Carol Drinkwater, later Lynda Bellingham). The series covers the years between 1936 and just after 1950. This is a DVD that everyone in the family no matter the age will enjoy...........

This 6 volume set is a continuation of the exploits of veterinarian James Herriot who began practice in the Yorkshire dales of Great Britain in 1939. It follows the books written by Herriot and carries a first rate cast including Christopher Timothy as the english vet and Robert Hardy as his partner, mentor, and occasional tormentor.

The subject matter, acting, and settings are first rate. For those who have read Harriots books, these videos (produced by the BBC) will NOT be a disappointment. It is, of course, helpful to have viewed series 1 since the program was filmed in the chronological sequence of Harriot's life, from his graduation through his marriage and later life.

I heartily recommend this series to anyone who loves animals or has an appreciation for english humor. The films are laced generously with both.

The Production: The TV series "All Creatures Great & Small" started in Great Britain on January 1978 with no nonsense photography with the typical grain of that time period. This DVD box set is from the second season, which played in September through December 1978. Some photography scenes were taken direct off Yorkshire farms. There are very little special effects, the only ones I can think of is either drugged or fake animals to act out certain quick scenes. Were some of the animals trained to act like they were sick or dying? For example: This set shows a horse dying of lockjaw with the finishing effect of lying on the ground shaking. Sometimes certain operations were preformed with a human hand, checking the rear of certain animals for pregnancies or intestinal problems. At times when the actors themselves are seen performing inspections on the animals, their hands were either hidden behind the animals or the actors makes facial expressions with the lower parts of their bodies off the screen. Very down to Earth & as real as possible with great effect.

The Actors: Christopher Timothy plays James Herriot, a Scottish newly qualified Veterinarian as co-owner with Veterinarian Surgeon Siegfried Farnon, played by Robert Hardy, in the Yorkshire farming community of Darrowby during the 1930's. Veterinary student & Siegfried's younger brother Tristan, played by Peter Davison continues to miss things up, for example: blowing up a cow in one show. The housekeeper is Mrs. Hall, played by Mary Hignett. James wife & secretary for the entire business is Helen played by Carol Drinkwater.

Commentary: The second season is more even in plot & characters than the first season. Most shows deal with the brothers Siegfried & Tristan tricking James into volunteering for something they don't what to do. The whole Veterinary household will become a part of your family with their joys, sorrows, & adventures. As with the first season this box set comes with 4 DVD's: at three to four 50 to 55 minute programs per DVD.

There are two other DVD box sets, the first & third seasons, & a single DVD of 2 specials short in the mid 1980's. "All Creatures Great & Small" did return to British TV in the late 1980's with 4 seasons, & are now on DVD. A good buy if you're into real life comedy.

I received the first one last year for Christmas and I fell in love with it. I had already been a huge fan for many years ever since they first showed the series on public television. When I found out that the second one was coming out, I begin counting down the days. I finally got it and it is even better than the first one. The acting is beautiful, the scenery magnificent, and the story wonderful. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for great entertainment.

A wonderful set. These episodes are fully as good as the first series. I hope that the remaining episodes--which include some of the best--will be released soon.

I was one of those people who never had time to catch the series when it was featured on public television due to work constraints. The blessing of technology today has allowed me to "catch up" on this classic courtesy of the DVD's. I really found this "world" relaxing and mildly fun. It is the type of world I remember of sitting in front of a fire, smoking a pipe and perhaps some liquid refreshment at hand talking with friends for hours on end. That is what this show emulates among many visitations to professional veternary emergencies. The characters are lovable, memorable, and reflect a part of the "polite world" which unfortunately today no longer exists. The unhurried atmosphere and the natural beauty of the Yorkshire countryside combine with the lives of rich and poor and animals on the dales. I suggest you read the account by James Herriot first. There is a very good Reader's Digest edition with great illustrations that efficiently condenses and contains the best parts of Herriots original series of "All Creatures Great and Small' books. This will aid you when you see the series because there are a lot of "old world" things that the book will aquaint you with (complete with illustrations that explain what the 'gadget" was used for) and you will see in the show. So you will appreciate the effort of the producers of this series all the more. Robert Hardy is memorable there are also spot characters that make it a very entertaining and wonderful production. You will love this work if you like animals or nature. Well recommended.

Not enough good things can be said about the remarkable story lines, acting, or scenery. I always feel like I'm sitting in a comfy chair enjoying a good book, whenever I watch an episode. Not very easy trying to choose a favorite character from the series. All of them for sure, but I'd gladly "do lunch" any day at Skeldale House with that old, crusty, warm-hearted, housekeeper ... Mrs. Hall ! But still, there's Siegfried, James, Tris', Helen, & on & on & on to consider. Charming friends all !

My rough guess would be at least 2009, before all the episodes have finally been made available ! Apparently, 1 full season is released every 2 years (1st season in '97, 2nd in '99}. Since there are 5 more seasons (60 episodes), PLUS 3, hour & 1/2 holiday-specials, it'll be a while till I can say I own all 90 episodes & specials.

This is the second series charting the life and times of vetenary surgeon James Herriot, based on the popular books. Charming, humourous, superbly acted throughout, and highly evocative of life in the Yorkshire Dales during the late '30's. Robert Hardy's towering performence as senior partner Seigfried and his sparring with younger Brother Tristan went a long way to making this series the gem it was.

With James now established as a partner in the practice following his marriage to Helen, this collection contains a hunt for a sheep killer in Lambing season, James meeting Granville Bennet, a successful small animal vet with a taste for the high life, James being tricked into taking part in a local cricket match against a terrifing fast bowler, Seigfried and Tristans hilarious attempts in a local quiz night, and many other magic moments.

The series concludes with a Christmas special episode, were the family are determined to make the most of what might well be the last Christmas before the impending world war.

Most people enjoy nostalgia, and it is a pleasure to enjoy once again series such as this.

Having been born and brought up in the North of England around where the Herriot series is set I can attest to it's authenticity. Every village had a Gobber Newhouse, no one wanted to part with their hard earned cash but everyone wanted the best for their pets whatever size they were. We watched the original series in the U.K. and re-watched it on PBS while living in Massachusetts now we can watch the antics of Siegfried,Tristran and of course James whenever we want to. I shall purchase all four series when available and enjoy every minute.

We are great fans of the series and books and particularly love this set. Series Two contains the wonderful "Merry Gentlemen", which features the delightful "Christmas Cake" subplot. Here, Seigreid proves to all, including James, that he is indeed, "an excellent judge of cakes." Running time for the collection is 11 hours and 40 minutes.