All Creatures Great And Small (film)

''All Creatures Great and Small'' is a 1975 British film (copyrighted in 1974), directed by Claude Whatham and starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins as Yorkshire vets James Herriot and Siegfried Farnon. It is based on the first novels by James Herriot (the pen name of veterinary surgeon Alf Wight): ''If Only They Could Talk'' (1970) and ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' (1972).

The film was given the same title as the 1972 US compilation volume of these two novels. It is the first of a series of films and television series based on Herriot's work. A sequel was released in 1976, somewhat confusingly titled '' It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'', although it actually covers the two following novels, ''Let Sleeping Vets Lie'' and ''Vet in Harness''.

Premise

In 1937, newly qualified vet James Herriot travels to Yorkshire for the post of assistant in Siegfried Farnon's practice. He learns the facts of country life, but has to overcome the prejudices of the Darrowby locals who are sceptical of the novice vet's ability. In between cases, Herriot courts farmer's daughter Helen Alderson.

Main cast

Production

Development

''All Creatures Great and Small'' was a best seller in the US - selling over 3 million copies in the Reader's Digest version - and film rights were optioned.

The film was made for NBC's ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' but it was theatrically released outside the US. The producers were Duane Bogie for FCB Productions and David Susskind for the Talent Associates.

According to one account, the budget was $1.2 million, nearly twice what NBC paid for it."Ward as Vet: A Method Actor Down on the Farm". Smith, Cecil. ''Los Angeles Times''. 11 June 1974: d1. Another account said the budget was $1 million, with $650,000 from NBC, $250,000 from EMI (who distributed), and $100,000 privately raised.

The lead role was given to Simon Ward, who later recalled, "I hadn't known the books and a lot of people hadn't known about them then, so at that time I wasn't taking on a national icon. It's always nerve-wracking playing a real person particularly if that real person is still alive and comes and sits on set watching you. Although Herriot was the most charming wonderful man who I really adored and kept in touch with till he died."

Shooting

Filming started in May 1974, in the town of Malton, North Riding of Yorkshire. Studio work was done in London. A number of set pieces that were scripted such as Tristan driving a car into a cricket pavilion were cut for lack of money.

Ward said "The roughest thing was putting a hand up a pregnant mare... for the film I had to do it again and again."

Music

The film's incidental music was by Wilfred Josephs.

Alf Wight (Herriott) wished the film could have been shot in the Yorkshire Dales rather than North Yorkshire but was delighted by the film and the cast. However Donald Sinclair, the model for Siegfried, was upset at his portrayal and threatened to sue. Wight avoided this by reportedly paying Sinclair a percentage of money from the books.

Release

Having passed the British censors in September 1974,BBFC: ''Creatures Great and Small''
Linked 2014-01-03 the film was not released until 9 May 1975, when it opened in London at the small cinema Studio Two in Oxford Street.

Reception

''The Monthly Film Bulletin'' wrote: "This everyday story of country folk has no ambition beyond an almost obsessive ordinariness, conveyed not through understatement but through clichés. These dominate the life of simple vet James Herriot, whose daily rounds consist entirely of jolly japes and noble sacrifices, and govern director Claude Whatham's evocation of 1937, which is suffocated by a period charm which becomes less charming by the minute: a pre-war packet of Force is placed prominently on the breakfast table, a ' Stop me and buy one' man is placed prominently in the foreground, and so forth. Peter Suschitzky's pretty photography is noteworthy; so too is the performance of Anthony Hopkins, whose bluff, irascible veterinarian shines like a beacon amidst otherwise dull or stock characterisation. Overall, however, the film could not be recommended to anyone other than fans of ''The Archers'' and children who derive pleasure from watching people doing unpleasant things to sick animals."

''The Times'' film critic David Robinson wrote "''All Creatures Great and Small'' is so wholesome and warmhearted it makes you want to scream. Not on account of these qualities in themselves, but because of the director's (Claude Whatham) inability to give them any more depth or meaning than a television series", but acknowledged that Anthony Hopkins' and Simon Ward's playing made their characters somewhat believable.

"It works beautifully", said the ''New York Times''. ''Filmink'' called the movie "charming" but felt its memory had been overshadowed by the later TV series.

Home media

The film has been released on DVD for both Region 2 PAL and Region 1 NTSC.

Sequel

A second film, ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet'' was released in 1976. John Alderton took over the role of James and Colin Blakely that of Siegfried, while Lisa Harrow returned as Helen. The film was directed by Eric Till from a script by Alan Plater.

Starting in 1978, there was a TV series based on the book, which was a huge ratings success in Britain and ran until 1990."Previews of Two Shows on KCET: 'All Creatures Great and Small'". Smith, Cecil. ''Los Angeles Times''. 16 June 1979: c3.

References

Notes

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External links

''All Creatures Great and Small''
at the British Film Institute
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Official James Herriot Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:All Creatures Great And Small
1975 films
British drama films
Films based on multiple works of a series
Films set in Yorkshire
Medical-themed films
EMI Films films
Films set in 1937
1970s English-language films
Films directed by Claude Whatham
1970s British films
Films scored by Wilfred Josephs
Works about veterinary medicine