Home :: DVD :: Television :: BBC  

A&E Home Video
BBC

Classic TV
Discovery Channel
Fox TV
General
HBO
History Channel
Miniseries
MTV
National Geographic
Nickelodeon
PBS
Star Trek
TV Series
WGBH Boston
All Creatures Great & Small - The Complete Series 1 Collection

All Creatures Great & Small - The Complete Series 1 Collection

List Price: $79.98
Your Price: $59.99
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 >>

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Outstanding series, mediocre video quality
Review: "All Creatures" is one of the best TV series I've ever seen, and ranks second only to "Monty Python" among my personal favorites. I just can't get over how delightful it is to finally have it on DVD. I can't wait for the next season to come out.

Having said that, however, I must deduct a star for the quality of the video. The indoor scenes tend to be adequately crisp, but most outdoor scenes are noticeably grainy. It is indeed unfortunate, because this is an extremely high quality series, with wonderful picturesque depictions of rural Yorkshire, and it deserves better imagery. Nonetheless, this series was probably recorded on low budget tape equipment (this is BBC, after all), and I am pretty spoiled by my hi-res monitor.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: All Creatures Great and Small. Series 1
Review: "The best of the best" The original set of six boxed videos. There are 12 episodes in all, begining with James' arrival at Skeldale House and the start of his career as a vet under Seigfried. Filled with all kinds of English characters, the series is a delightful peek at England and the English, before WWII. This classic series cannot be beaten for true value. You'll watch them again and again.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WARNING: The following review contains unrestrained gushing
Review: All Creatures Great and Small is the most wonderful series on Earth (heck, and the other planets too). Although it doesn't really matter which episodes you begin with (the last ones were the first ones I saw) I think it's best to start at the beginning. In the first episode of the series, "Horse Sense," we see how newly-qualified vet James (Christopher Timothy) arrives in Darrowby and at the practice of Siegfried Farnon, MRCVS (Robert Hardy). It's a great episode, which wonderfully establishes all the ACGAS characters and themes one eventually comes to know and love.

However, in my opinion, the episode where the story really begins is the second one, "Dog Days," in which we meet Siegfried's mischievous, irresponsible, and wonderful younger brother, Tristan (Peter Davison) who has failed all his vet school tests, not for the first time. It is wonderful to see the relationship between Siegfried and Tristan established. The acting is first-rate from all the cast members - and if I may cite a shallower reason for enjoying this, Tristan is ADORABLE. (I hope the capital letters suffice as description.) There are also a bunch of animals in each episode, all of whom rival him for the cuteness title, depending on your point of view.

I guarantee you will enjoy this series.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Seems like the DVD is edited
Review: Although this is my all time favorite books, I was a little disappointed with the DVD. While we were watching the episodes, it seemed like the film was edited. The part mosted notable was when James was getting back at Tristan by calling the surgery and telling him the "calf bed" fell out again. Before the scene was over it cut to the surgery the next day where James and Tristan were stiching up a rabbit. There were other jumps in the film. I know that scenes were not jumped by the DVD player. Anyway it is still a great story. If anyone has had any different experiences I would like to hear about them.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Timeless entertainment
Review: Amazon also sells the books about Al Whight, the true name of the author of the books about James Herriott.
I have watched this series since I was a little girl, and much like Disney movies, I see different layers of meaning as I move through changes in my own life. The characters growth and love stories, losses and struggles can easily be related to, and are told in a fun, warm and real manner. If you are fond of animals, this series is a MUST. It may seem like a lot of money for this boxed set, but I have watched the episodes so many times, I would have paid much more in movie tickets had this been released in theaters.
Some things just don't get old.
Also, try reading the books the series are based on, I can't read them in bed any more, my sniggers keeps my husband from sleeping. Hillariously funny, especially the cat and dog stories.
The technical quality is very good considering this was shot and filmed so many years ago. The absence of fancy special effects just helps keep the whole series time appripriate.
The episodes can be watched individually and over time, no need to set aside the whole weekend to watch it all at once. But you might choose to once you get started.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: James Herriot is an big hit all over the world.
Review: Back in the 70's this tv serie was a huge hit.It still is now cause it's timeless.All the actors gives warmth in their play.It's a family spirit to watch James Heriot the veterinary in the great Yorkshire Dales.Peter Davison (Tristan)brings a lot of humor in his role and Christopher Timothy (plays James Herriot)has the same humor when he drinks to much beer.The problems with the animals and the solutians of the three vets are joyful to see.After all these years the TV series "All Creatures Great & Small" is a must seen ! (what about trickie woo......)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful, nostalgic drama, an evergreen classic.
Review: 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally on DVD!
Review: Finally the BBC has put this on DVD! Having grown up reading about the adventures of the Yorkshire vet and then following it on TV in the BBCs great adaption, I find that now, almost 25 years later, the series is as wonderful, funny, and heartwarming as ever. Series 1 begins right at the onset of James Herriot's career in Siegfried Farnon's veterinary practice in Darrowby, Yorkshire. From the start the young vet has his work cut out for him, not only with the animals and the quirks of the Yorkshire country folk, but also with his volatile boss Siegfried, brilliantly played by Robert Hardy, and Siegfried's fun-loving and ever-mischievous younger brother Tristan. The episodes vary from pure funny to heartwarming to poignant, but all are equally well made. This is a true family material, so gather around the TV and enjoy together

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bloody Brilliant
Review: I am so happy to have found this DVD set. I was a huge fan of ACGS while stationed in England, and thought that I would not get another opportunity to enjoy the show now that I'm back in the US. The DVD set gives me confidence that I will be able to enjoy the series for years to come, whereas my VHS tapes tend to wear out quickly. I pray that they will release the remaining seasons on DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Charming and engaging
Review: I found these boring as a child but watching them now I find myself totally engaged. My favourite viewing! The characters are very real and the setting charming. Like a trip back in time and place. Highly recommended (prob. dull for younger children, although my 6 year old will sometimes watch).


<< 1 2 3 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates