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television series based initially on the first two books, ''If Only They Could Talk'' (1970) and ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' (1972). As the novels are written in an episodic style, with each chapter generally containing a short story within the ongoing narrative of Herriot's life, this facilitated their adaptation for a television series by producer
The ''All Creatures Great and Small'' franchise consists of a series of books, movies, and TV series based on books written by James Alfred Wight under the pen name ''
television programme of the same title, and a prequel series in 2011, ''James Herriot
James Alfred Wight (3 October 1916 – 23 February 1995), better known by his pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and author.
Born in Sunderland, Wight graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939, returning to Engl ...
'' based on his experiences as a veterinary surgeon. The books have been adapted for film and television, including a 1975 film titled '' All Creatures Great and Small'', followed by the 1976 ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' (in the United States also known as ''All Things Bright and Beautiful''), is a 1976 sequel to the 1975 film '' All Creatures Great and Small''. Although having the same title as James Herriot's second novel, the ...
'' sequel, as well as on television a long-running BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...Young James Herriot
''Young James Herriot'' is a three-part British television drama based on the early life of veterinary surgeon James Herriot. It is part of a series of movies and television series based on Herriot's novels. It features Iain De Caestecker as t ...
''.
By 2020, the series of books featuring James Herriot had sold some 60 million copies. In that year, the next television production was aired, '' All Creatures Great and Small''. The programme, produced for Channel 5 in the UK and PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...
in America, was renewed for a second set of episodes, and then a third and fourth season.
Books
The book series focuses on the adventures of veterinary surgeon ''James Herriot
James Alfred Wight (3 October 1916 – 23 February 1995), better known by his pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and author.
Born in Sunderland, Wight graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939, returning to Engl ...
'', and are set in the Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is an upland area of the Pennines in the Historic counties of England, historic county of Yorkshire, England, most of it in the Yorkshire Dales National Park created in 1954.
The Dales comprise river valleys and the hills ri ...
, in the fictional town of ''Darrowby
Darrowby is a fictional village in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England, which was created by author Alf Wight under the pen name of James Herriot as the setting for the veterinary practice in his book ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet''. The bo ...
'', based on a combination of Thirsk
Thirsk is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England known for its racecourse; quirky yarnbomber displays, and depiction as local author James Herriot's fictional Darrowby.
History
Archeological fin ...
, Richmond
Richmond most often refers to:
* Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States
* Richmond, London, a part of London
* Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England
* Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada
* Richmond, California, ...
, Leyburn
Leyburn is a market town and civil parish in the district of Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, England, sitting above the northern bank of the River Ure in Wensleydale. Historically in the North Riding of Yorkshire, the name was derived from 'Ley ...
and Middleham
Middleham is an English market town and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire. It lies in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, on the south side of the valley, upstream from the junction of the River Ure and River Cover. ...
. In the books, Herriot works with fellow veterinary surgeons ''Siegfried'' and ''Tristan Farnon'', based on real-life counterparts, Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair respectively. Wight used the name ''Helen Alderson'' for his real-life wife, Joan Danbury. Joan Danbury, in real life was not a farmer’s daughter but worked as a secretary. According to one source, "contrary to the stories, Alf Wight met her in a group outing to a local dance. Evidently, he felt she was worth pursuing from the first, though she had a number of boyfriends and admirers".
In addition to the primary books listed below, a series of nine James Herriot Children’s Picture Books were published. Another 12 books, considered to be "anthologies" (with content taken from various of the primary books) was also published, some in the UK and others in the US.
UK series
*''If Only They Could Talk'' (1970) *''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' (1972) *''Let Sleeping Vets Lie'' (1973) *''Vet in Harness'' (1974) *''Vets Might Fly'' (1976) *''Vet in a Spin'' (1977) *''The Lord God Made Them All'' (1981) *''Every Living Thing'' (1992)US series
In America the books were collected as pairs into omnibus volumes, as the publisher felt they were too short to publish independently. The title chosen for the first book in the series ''All Creatures Great and Small'' (and subsequently of the movies and television series) was taken from thehymn
A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' ...
"All Things Bright and Beautiful
"All Things Bright and Beautiful" is an Anglican hymn, also sung in many other Christian denominations. The words are by Cecil Frances Alexander and were first published in her ''Hymns for Little Children'' of 1848.
The hymn is commonly sung ...
". According to Herriot's son, it was his sister who suggested the title, initially proposing ''All Creatures Great and Small''.Wight, Jim. 2000. ''The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father''. New York: Ballantine Books.
* ''All Creatures Great and Small'' (1972) (incorporating ''If Only They Could Talk'' and ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'')
* ''All Things Bright and Beautiful'' (1974) (incorporating ''Let Sleeping Vets Lie'' and ''Vet in Harness'')
* ''All Things Wise and Wonderful'' (1977) (incorporating ''Vets Might Fly'' and ''Vet in a Spin'')
* ''The Lord God Made Them All'' (1980)
* ''Every Living Thing'' (1981)
* ''James Herriot's Dog Stories'' (1986)
Media overview
Films
''All Creatures Great and Small'' (1975)
''All Creatures Great and Small'' is based on the first two novels, ''If Only They Could Talk'' (1970) and ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' (1972), and was given the same title as the 1972 US compilation volume of these two novels. It was released in 1975. It was directed byClaude Whatham
Claude Whatham (7 December 1927 in Manchester – 4 January 2008 in Anglesey) was an English film and TV director mainly known for his work on dramas.
Early life
In 1940, Whatham, a teenage evacuee art student, had been commissioned to paint f ...
, and written by Hugh Whitemore
Hugh John Whitemore (16 June 1936 – 17 July 2018) was an English playwright and screenwriter.
Biography
Whitemore studied for the stage at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he was taught by Peter Barkworth, then on the staff at RADA ...
, and starred Simon Ward
Simon Anthony Fox Ward (16 October 194120 July 2012) was a British stage and film actor. He was known chiefly for his performance as Winston Churchill in the 1972 film ''Young Winston''. He played many other screen roles, including those of Sir ...
as James Herriot
James Alfred Wight (3 October 1916 – 23 February 1995), better known by his pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and author.
Born in Sunderland, Wight graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939, returning to Engl ...
and Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. One of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins has received many accolad ...
as Siegfried Farnon.
''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' (1976)
''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' is based on the two following novels, ''Let Sleeping Vets Lie'' (1973) and ''Vet in Harness'' (1974), and was released in 1976. It was directed byEric Till
Eric Till (born 24 November 1929) is an English film and television director working in Canada, the United States, and Europe since the 1960s. His 1977 film ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' was entered into the 10th Moscow International Film Fes ...
, written by Alan Plater
Alan Frederick Plater (15 April 1935 – 25 June 2010) was an English playwright and screenwriter, who worked extensively in British television from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Career
Plater was born in Jarrow, County Durham, although his fami ...
, and starred John Alderton
John Alderton (born 27 November 1940) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in '' Upstairs, Downstairs'', ''Thomas & Sarah'', ''Wodehouse Playhouse'', ''Little Miss'' (original television series), ''Please Sir!'', ''No, Honestly' ...
as James Herriot and Colin Blakely
Colin George Blakely (23 September 1930 – 7 May 1987) was a Northern Irish actor. He had roles in the films '' A Man for All Seasons'' (1966), ''The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes'' (1970), ''Murder on the Orient Express'' (1974), and '' Eq ...
as Siegfried Farnon.
Television
''All Creatures Great and Small'' (1978–1990)
''All Creatures Great and Small'' is aBBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...Bill Sellars
William Sellars (5 June 1925 – 19 December 2018) was an English television producer and director, most active from the 1960s to the 1980s. His entire 33-year-career was spent working on projects for the BBC.''All Memories Great & Small'', Oli ...
. The series stars Christopher Timothy
Christopher is the English version of a Europe-wide name derived from the Greek name Χριστόφορος (''Christophoros'' or '' Christoforos''). The constituent parts are Χριστός (''Christós''), "Christ" or "Anointed", and φέρει ...
as James Herriot and Robert Hardy
Timothy Sydney Robert Hardy (29 October 1925 – 3 August 2017) was an English actor who had a long career in theatre, film and television. He began his career as a classical actor and later earned widespread recognition for roles such as Sieg ...
as Siegfried Farnon, and it had two runs: the original (1978 to 1980, based directly on Herriot's books) was for three series; the second (1988 to 1990, filmed with original scripts) for four. Series 4 saw the introduction of new vet, Calum Buchanan (John McGlynn
John is a common English name and surname:
* John (given name)
* John (surname)
John may also refer to:
New Testament
Works
* Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John
* First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John
* Second ...
), based on Herriot's real-life assistant Brian Nettleton. A total of ninety episodes were broadcast.
''Young James Herriot'' (2011)
''Young James Herriot'' is a three-partBBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...television series based on the life of veterinary student
James Herriot
James Alfred Wight (3 October 1916 – 23 February 1995), better known by his pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and author.
Born in Sunderland, Wight graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939, returning to Engl ...
. It was based on notes in the Herriot archive and the archives of the Glasgow Veterinary College
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow is one of nine veterinary schools in the United Kingdom, and offers undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Veterinary Medicine.
It was established in 1862 as the independ ...
, including the diaries and case notes the author kept during his student years, and was produced with the cooperation of his family. The series was directed by Michael Keillor and written by Ann McManus and Eileen Gallagher. It stars Iain De Caestecker
Iain De Caestecker ( ; born 29 December 1987) is a Scottish actor. He is best known for portraying Leopold Fitz/The Doctor in the television series ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.''. He is also known for his roles in Coronation Street as Adam Barlow ...
as Herriot, with Amy Manson
Amy Manson (born 9 September 1985) is a Scottish actress. She has portrayed Alice Guppy in ''Torchwood'', Abby Evans in '' Casualty'', Lizzie Siddal in ''Desperate Romantics'', Daisy Hannigan-Spiteri in '' Being Human'', Medea in ''Atlantis'' ...
and Ben Lloyd-Hughes
Benedict Lloyd-Hughes (born 14 April 1988) is a British actor. He is known for portraying Josh Stock in the British series '' Skins'' (2007) and for his role as Will in the film '' Divergent'' (2014). He plays Tsar Alexander in the 2016 BBC tel ...
as fellow students Whirly Tyson and Rob McAloon.
''All Creatures Great and Small'' (2020–)
In 2019, Channel 5 announced it would be filming a new series in the Yorkshire Dales over the summer of 2019, to be broadcast the following year. Instead of usingAskrigg
Askrigg is a small village and civil parish in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is part of the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. The village and its parish are located in Upper Wensleydale, west of Leybur ...
as the filming base, the producers decided on Grassington
Grassington is a market town and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. The population of the parish at the 2011 Census was 1,126. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is situated in Wharfedale ...
, due to the former's A road
A roads may be
*motorways or freeways, usually where the local word for motorway begins with A (for example, ''Autobahn'' in German; ''Autostrada'' in Italian).
* main roads or highways, in a system where roads are graded A, B and sometimes lower c ...
s detracting from the 1930s look they wanted. There was never a plan to film in Thirsk
Thirsk is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England known for its racecourse; quirky yarnbomber displays, and depiction as local author James Herriot's fictional Darrowby.
History
Archeological fin ...
where the actual James Herriot (Alf Wight) practiced because it had become too large for the small-town feel that the series wanted.
Significant changes were made from the source material (both the previous television series and the memoir), such as Siegfried Farnon being a heartbroken widower and a dramatically increased role for Mrs. Hall, who has been reimagined as a young, live-in housekeeper and a "slightly warmer figure" than in the novels. The role of Helen was also greatly expanded.
This first series consisted of six episodes plus a Christmas special and aired first on Channel 5 (in 2020) and then (in early 2021) on PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...
in the United States. ''All Creatures Great and Small'' was renewed for a second series. All of the principal actors were expected to return to their roles. It was scheduled to begin filming in the Yorkshire Dales in late March 2021.
The World of James Herriot
The World of James Herriot
World of James Herriot Ltd is a visitor attraction in the former Thirsk writer's home, home and veterinary surgery of author James Herriot.
Displays include recreations of James Herriots 1940s Apartment, flat; depictions of rural life and veter ...
is a writer's home museum
Writers' homes (sometimes writer's, author's or literary houses) are locations where writers lived. Frequently, these homes are preserved as historic house museums and literary tourism destinations, called writer's home museums, especially when t ...
attraction in Thirsk
Thirsk is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England known for its racecourse; quirky yarnbomber displays, and depiction as local author James Herriot's fictional Darrowby.
History
Archeological fin ...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is the largest ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county (lieutenancy area) in England, covering an area of . Around 40% of the county is covered by National parks of the United Kingdom, national parks, including most of ...
, England.The World of James HerriotCulture 24, UK. The museum was set up in 1999 by
Hambleton District Council Hambleton may refer to:
Places
*Hambleton District, a local government district of North Yorkshire, England
** Hambleton Ales, a brewery originally based in Hambleton
*Hambleton, Lancashire, England
*Hambleton, Rutland, England
* Hambleton, Crave ...
; the business was sold to private investors in 2011 and was re-generated in 2017. Council leases the building to the operators but retains ownership of the structure. As of February 2021, the World of James Herriot Ltd board included the daughter and son of Alf Wight: Rosie Page and retired vet John Wight, in addition to a group of "local businessmen and women".
References
External links
*James Alfred Wight OBE (thirsk.org.uk)
{{Authority control British film series Television franchises Veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom 20th-century British children's literature