''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 film is actually based on his third and fourth novels, ''Let Sleeping Vets Lie'' and ''Vet in Harness'', which in the United States were released as a compilation volume titled ''All Things Bright and Beautiful''. It is part of a series of movies and television series based on Herriot's novels. In this film,

John Alderton John Alderton (born 27 November 1940) is an English retired actor. He is best known for his roles in '' Upstairs, Downstairs'', '' Thomas & Sarah'', '' Wodehouse Playhouse'', '' Little Miss'' (original television series), '' Please Sir!'', '' ...

has taken over the role of James and Colin Blakely that of Siegfried (portrayed in the first film by Simon Ward and

Anthony Hopkins Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor. Considered one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for List of Anthony Hopkins performances, his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins ha ...

, respectively), while

Lisa Harrow Lisa Harrow (born 25 August 1943) is a New Zealand RADA-trained actress, noted for her roles in British theatre, films and television. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Nancy Astor in the British BBC television drama ''Nancy Astor ...

returns as Helen. It also features Richard Griffiths in his debut film appearance as Sam. The film was directed by

Eric Till Eric Till (born 24 November 1929) is an English people, English film and television film director, 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 10t ...

, and the screenplay is 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. He is best known for the sitcom ''Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt'' and th ...

. The film, which has a British-American joint venture, was entered into the 10th Moscow International Film Festival.

Synopsis

The story continues where '' All Creatures Great and Small'' ended, and follows the lives of James, Helen and Siegfried from 1938 until the outbreak of war.

Main cast

as James Herriott * Colin Blakely as Siegfried Farnon *

as Helen *

Bill Maynard Walter Frederick George Williams (8 October 1928 – 30 March 2018), better known by his stage name Bill Maynard, was an English comedian and actor. He began working in television in the 1950s, notably starring alongside Terry Scott in '' ...

as Hinchcliffe * Paul Shelley as Richard * Richard Pearson as Granville * Rosemary Martin as Mrs Dalby * Raymond Francis as Colonel Bosworth * John Barrett as Crump * Philip Stone as Jack * Clifford Kershaw as Kendall * Kevin Moreton as William * Liz Smith as Mrs Dodds *

Leslie Sarony image:Leslie Holmes and Leslie Sarony circa 1934.JPG, A W.D. & H.O. Wills, Wills cigarette card from the 'Radio Celebrities' series, 1934; Sarony on right Leslie Sarony (born Leslie Legge Frye; 22 January 1897 – 12 February 1985) was a Britis ...

as Kirby * Gwen Nelson as Mrs Kirby

Production

In July 1975 the film was announced as part of a slate of eleven films from EMI with a budget of £6 million. Simon Ward was offered the lead role again but turned it down as his fee was the same as for the first film. The film was shot in January 1976. It was known during production as ''All Things Bright and Beautiful''. Herriot's son Jim later recalled:

While John Alderton provided a more forceful James Herriot, with a flash of humour always evident, Colin Blakely’s role as Siegfried was more subdued than the portrayal by Anthony Hopkins. Although he brought some wonderful comedy to the part, there was hardly a trace of the spontaneous eccentricity that was the hallmark of the real man. This was partly because Alf insisted on some changes since he was not prepared to upset Donald again. After reading the scripts in advance of shooting, he was adamant that the peaks and troughs of Siegfried’s character be smoothed out.

John Alderton was offered the part of Herriott in the television version of ''All Creatures Great and Small'' but turned it down.

Reception

According to Herriott's biographer, "John Alderton was far and away the best of the three actors who portrayed Alf on screen, with a boyish but twinkly British charm that managed to make him appear shy and gauche without ever being wet or pathetic. Twenty years on Blakely's portrayal of Siegfried does not seem at all 'implacably fierce' but rather serious, honest, warm and highly professional."Lord p 194 According to ''Filmink'' the movie "had a better actor to play James Herriott (John Alderton, the great lost British film star of the 1970s) than ''All Creatures Great and Small'', but didn’t have as compelling a story – it started with Herriott already established in Yorkshire and in love, and didn’t add anything much new."

Home media

Released on VHS in the 1990s, the film has yet to see a commercial release on DVD in the UK (region 2) or US (region 1).

References

Notes

External links

''It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet''
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

* * Official James Herriot Website 1977 films 1977 drama films British drama films Films directed by Eric Till Films scored by Laurie Johnson Films set in Yorkshire Medical-themed films EMI Films films 1970s English-language films 1970s British films Works about veterinary medicine {{1970s-UK-film-stub