Rating: 
Summary: A meaningful life is a happy one
Review: This DVD presents in a simple straightforward package the first TV season (13 episodes of approx 55 mins each)of the classic "All Creatures Great and Small" series based on the books of the Veterinary Surgeon James Herriot.An aditional one hour documentary interview with the real James Herriot is also included. The original series was a weekly "must see" event and I found myself drawn back to watch just one more episode on this DVD despite serious attempts to make it last. The picture quality is what you would expect for a 25 year old British TV show however this in no way detracts from its enjoyment. The happy flowing music that rolls with the beautiful Yorkshire Dales scenery puts you right in the mood to get to know and experience the trials and tribulations of James Herriot and the people and animals he meets. Although the books were written by Herriot the main characters that stand out in this series are his new employer Siegfried Farnon and Siegfrieds brother Tristan. Both characters are played extremely well by two excellent british actors Robert Hardy and Peter Davison. Hardy extracts tha maximum entertainment from Siegfrieds ebullient often frustrating character. In the end you will connect with the Dales farmers and wonder at the 'black magic' of veterinary science in the mid 1930's but like Gerald Durrels books the animals that entertain the most are of the human species. This DVD will guarantee a good satisfying viewing experience and while not intended to be a comedy provides some hilarious situations for the main characters.
Rating: 
Summary: All Things Wise and Wonderful
Review: One of the great joys of my childhood was when my family would gather round, each and every Saturday night, and watch an episode of this series on PBS. This charming little series is based on the wildly popular, real-life James Herriot veterinary stories set in the Yorkshire Dales. A mixture of drama and very witty comedy, the main characters are played to perfection by Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy, and Peter Davison, supported by a fine cast of British character actors as the "good country people" of the dales.
The DVDs are pretty standard - the interior video footage is quite clean and nice, but the 16mm film exteriors is often grainy and dirty (this is improved somewhat on the series 2 set). The only supplement is on disc 4 - a one-hour 1980s interview with the real James Herriot, veterinarian Alf Wight. Still, the real joy is in the episodes themselves. Although the series is set in the '30s, it has dated a little bit; it can be unusually slow on occasion. Nonetheless, this is recommended viewing for BBC fans, as well as families who enjoy gentle comedy and (of course!) animals.
Rating:
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:
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:
Summary: A meaningful life is a happy one
Review: This DVD presents in a simple straightforward package the first TV season (13 episodes of approx 55 mins each)of the classic "All Creatures Great and Small" series based on the books of the Veterinary Surgeon James Herriot. An aditional one hour documentary interview with the real James Herriot is also included. The original series was a weekly "must see" event and I found myself drawn back to watch just one more episode on this DVD despite serious attempts to make it last. The picture quality is what you would expect for a 25 year old British TV show however this in no way detracts from its enjoyment. The happy flowing music that rolls with the beautiful Yorkshire Dales scenery puts you right in the mood to get to know and experience the trials and tribulations of James Herriot and the people and animals he meets. Although the books were written by Herriot the main characters that stand out in this series are his new employer Siegfried Farnon and Siegfrieds brother Tristan. Both characters are played extremely well by two excellent british actors Robert Hardy and Peter Davison. Hardy extracts tha maximum entertainment from Siegfrieds ebullient often frustrating character. In the end you will connect with the Dales farmers and wonder at the 'black magic' of veterinary science in the mid 1930's but like Gerald Durrels books the animals that entertain the most are of the human species. This DVD will guarantee a good satisfying viewing experience and while not intended to be a comedy provides some hilarious situations for the main characters.
Rating:
Summary: Real Life Comedy
Review: Our Background: My wife, who was born in Russia, yet lived near Kiev Ukraine in a Soviet commune farm, loved reading the books "All Creatures Great & Small" from James Herriot (real name: Alf Wight). When we got married & she moved to the United States, we both fell in love with movie adaptations from Jane Austin's novels. This lead to a British TV series invasion in our house, starting with "Darling Buds of May" & later when we found the DVD book set of "All Creatures Great & Small". Let's give it a try... 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. 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? 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 were making faces 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 traveling down to Yorkshire England for a job interview with Veterinarian Surgeon Siegfried Farnon, played by Robert Hardy, in the town & farming community of Darrowby during the 1930's. Later Veterinary student & Siegfried's younger brother Tristan, played by Peter Davison (later to become the fifth Dr. Who), who travels back & forth during college. Also in the house is the housekeeper, Mrs. Hall, played by Mary Hignett. At last after dating James through the first of the series & then marring him is Helen, played by Carol Drinkwater. Our favorite minor character is Mrs. Pumphrey, played by Margarette Scott, a rich widower who has a Pekingese dog Tricki Woo. Mrs. Pumphrey constantly over feeds the dog almost to death, which James rescues with a diet, & he is awarded grommet treats of cigars & Port. Commentary: The first program started out rather slow with references to British & Scottish language problems & it was not until the third or fourth program that we both started to understand & enjoy the series. In the end it was like experiencing new neighbors in our family room each night. This box set comes with 4 DVD's: at three to four 50 to 55 minute programs per DVD. The last DVD comes with an interview with the real James Herriot: Alf Wight. If you like the first DVD box set series, there are now two other DVD Box sets, the second & third seasons, & a single DVD of 2 specials from the mid 1980's. "All Creatures Great & Small" did return to British TV in the late 1980's with 4 seasons, but these are only on VHS at this time. A good buy if your into real life comedy.
Rating:
Summary: All things cozy & well
Review: Similar to the BBC series 'Upstairs Downstairs', 'All Creatures Great & Small' invites one into a cozy family setting. A setting in which there is comfort, humor and everything has a way of working itself out. My wife and I found ourselves looking forward to being part of the Farnon household & veterinarian practice, not so much for the storyline as experiencing the Yorkshire Dale lifestyle and its characters. We heartily recommend this series!
Rating:
Summary: An Absolute Gem!
Review: Of all the superb British productions, none touch the heart quite like All Creatures Great and Small. Certainly, this delightful comedy-drama is one of our entire family's all-time favourites--one which we've watched numerous times and continue to enjoy to this day. Though the names of people and places were changed, the series is based on the true stories of Yorkshire veterinarian, James Herriot (the nom de plume of Alf Wight, who sadly died of prostate cancer in 1995 at age 78). The series opens in the early 1930s with James (played by Christopher Timothy), a serious-minded and very conscientious newly qualified vet, arriving in the tiny Yorkshire farming town of Darrowby for a job interview at Skeldale House, the home/surgery of veterinarian Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy). Siegfried, though a very competent vet and an extremely generous man, is one of the most contrary and mercurial individuals. Heaven help the other members of the practice, who walk on eggshells most of the time as it is, should he get a bee in his bonnet about something! The third member of the practice (if one can call him that, for he's still a veterinary student in the early episodes), is Siegfried's younger brother (and polar opposite in temperament), Tristan (Peter Davison). Tristan is a gregarious, skirt-chasing practical joker and one of the laziest individuals around. Certainly, he'd rather have a pint, play a prank, or chat up the girls than study for exams or be on call at the surgery. The stage is set then for some very comical situations, which are rendered all the funnier and all the more welcome as relief from the very real drama of the stories. Apart from the vets, the series is peppered with a wealth of memorable characters. There's the Farnons' good-hearted but no-nonsense, mother-hen housekeeper, Mrs. Hall (sadly, the actress portraying her died after the third series); and who can forget the gruff, tight-fisted, cheap-skate farmer, Mr. Biggins--the bane of the practice; or wealthy (and demonstrably grateful!) Mrs. Pumphrey, whose pampered pekingese Tricki Woo suffers a host of complaints related to his rich diet and idle lifestyle. Of course, one mustn't forget James' devoted wife Helen (Carol Drinkwater, who was replaced by Lynda Bellingham in the fourth series)--their courtship provided the basis for much humour in the early episodes--or the larger-than-life Granville Bennett (James Grout), whose veterinary skill is matched only by his hospitality and his ability to consume copious amounts of alchohol (not to mention food!), much to James' immense discomfort and embarassment. With thirteen 50-minute episodes, this boxed set contains the complete first series. Produced in 1978 and set against the backdrop of the magnificent Yorkshire dales, this is a thoroughly entertaining series which, like the wonderful books that inspired it, takes one through the gamut of emotions--from laughter to tears. It is a series which transports the viewer back to a time and way of life that is, in many ways sadly, gone forever. It is sure to be enjoyed by anyone looking for quality entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, but it will especially be treasured by fellow animal lovers. There are, at the time of writing, four boxed sets (containing the complete first four series) plus a DVD with two special episodes (its video counterpart only contains the first special, unfortunately), and I highly recommend the entire series. If you enjoy the first boxed set, by all means go ahead and purchase the remaining sets (and specials), as the entire series is outstanding. There are still another two or three series that have yet to be brought to video/DVD, and I know I'm not alone in hoping the BBC will release them sometime soon. Indeed, if ever a series deserved to be released in its entirety, it is this one. Extremely highly recommended!
Rating:
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:
Summary: This Is Life As it Really Is
Review: When it was on the American PBS series, My wife and I watched it religiously. From the very beginning from getting the job as vet, to the end, driving off to go to war it shows the passion and reality of the peoples lives during that time. In this series you will find tears and laughter, wonder and amazement. The series is enhanced in that Robert Hardy is one of the greatest actors I have ever seen. He was the backbone of the series. I have no complaint on the quality of the copies, its really quite good. I have no bad things to say about there being no interviews with the actors, the acting is simple perfection. If you like to see real peoples lives, watch this series. This isnt Empty Nest stuff, its real.
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