All Creatures Great and Small
Anyone enjoying the new series? I loved the books, they were always uplifting. The original TV series was very popular with just about everyone. I didn't think a new series could repeat the success but I think it's very good. 🐕🐱🐂
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We have quite enjoyed the first two episodes. It must be quite difficult to remake something that was previously been so popular but I think they have done a good job. What surprises me even more is that it is hidden away on a Tuesday night when you would have thought it would have occupied the peak Sunday slot?
David
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Have to say I don't think it is as good as the old series, which I have the set of and still watch from time to time. Samuel West would be a good Farnon except Robert Hardy will always be Farnon in my head. It is escapism and ok but hard to remake perfect.
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We rented a holiday cottage near Thirsk, about 1975 and I was reading "If Only They Could Talk" at the time and wished I'd gone to look at the surgery as Alf White (James Heriot) was still busy working there. I'm glad to see James Heriot has a Scottish accent this time round.
It's growing on me again, the stories are classics!
PS Is this going to make Grassington even busier?!
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We recorded and reluctantly watched (because I couldn't see how it could match up to the original (early) episodes), but I did enjoy it, so set it to series record.
I didn't enjoy last night's as much - maybe because they are trying to introduce back stories for people (e.g Mrs Hall), and bringing Helen to the fore - rather than showing much vet work.
And - we didn't see any Shorthorns last night!
Despite my reservations I'll keep on with it (for now).
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I didn't enjoy last night's as much - maybe because they are trying to introduce back stories for people (e.g Mrs Hall), and bringing Helen to the fore - rather than showing much vet work.
Those of us not in the trade, so to speak, might probably prefer the human interest side rather than the animal side although it all adds together? It's difficult for the programme writers not to end up with same programme but in HD. So they will want to differentiate between the two series. It seems to me that Mrs Hall is represented by a younger person than the original series? So I suppose she would be more inclined to have a backstory? Likewise, from memory, the new Helen is portrayed as a must more feisty young lady compared to Carol Drinkwater but the years could have dimmed the memory? It seems in the original series Robert Hardy had to fight quite hard with the writers to have his character play a more serious part rather than for laughs in the later episodes.
David
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If anyone finds themselves in the Thirsk area, the James Herriot Museum is a fantastic visit. It’s all based in the original surgery, and they have rebuilt part of the studio sets inside, and have a variety of vehicles in the outbuildings. For those who love the veterinary stuff, there’s an exhibition of all sorts of the equipment that was used decades ago which to put it mildly, isn’t for the squeamish or faint hearted. Alongside this are the actual living quarters, and even the air raid shelter! It’s a very very interesting visit, for young and not so young.
Askrigg village has the “Skeldale House” exterior used in the early series.
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Jonray , totally agree with you about it being an impossible act to follow , but alas the new generation it's aimed at are more than likely to say " who's Robert Hardy ". I am enjoying the show a lot , do like the way the new soundtrack gives a definite "nod" to the original.😀.
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And then there's the original soundtrack, another reason the old series is deeply ingrained......
Interesting to read the comments, too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDU0B-ByBpk0 -
Sorry Waytogo but as a long term Robert Hardy fan I have to disagree. Robert Hardy was a great Shakespearean actor, appearing in many productions. Then much more theatre and many films. So extremely varied in his range. Sam West, good but not comparable. IMO.
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"RH seems not to have done much Shakespeare after his early days???"
Moved on to "bigger, better" things, a bit like Ian McKellen and Coronation Street!
We stayed in Grassington not so long ago and I'm surprised they weren't making more of the fact it had been used for locations. In fact we ate in the Devonshire Arms which was used for the pub scenes and we're completely unaware of the fact. Not like Yorkshire folk to miss out on a money making opportunity!
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That's what I wondered about too but just how many extra visitors can be squeezed into Grassington?
I'm looking forward to the next programme. I loved the original series but filming techniques have improved greatly since the 1970s and I'm enjoying the clarity of everything and the humour is still there.
Interestingly we heard about the original books from relatives in Canada where the stories were all the rage, so my late Mum ordered one from a book seller and we were hooked on the books before the series came out.
I read Alf White's biography, written by his son Jim and he certainly grappled with some difficult things in his life.
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WTG. Alf White wrote his books under the pseudonym James Herriot. They were based on his real life existence as a vet based in the town of Thirsk. They were written whilst the protagonists were all alive and still working so he fictionalised the characters and looked back on their early lives in their N Yorks veterinary practice.
So they're not fictional tales as such but were based on his own life and experiences.
The first series was very popular and represented the books well and their was also great interest in the off screen lives of the leading actors which started to detract from the story lines a bit. The films haven't aged too well but still watchable!
A huge N York's industry sprung from the various filming locations. Now another set of locations will no doubt be of interest. But the real area is set around Thirsk and will always be the base for the books.
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I adored the books 📚 and was waiting for the next. I enjoyed the first TV series and those playing the characters. Disliked the films. Was apprehensive about the remake - however, I'm enjoying it especially Sam West. I hope it continues in the same vein.
Had a stay in Thisk and a good explore of the area and the museum, which was very good, getting on for 20 years ago 😱. In fact it was always a stop off on the way to and from son's uni, that was still 10 years past! Great little old fashioned sweet shop along with other self owned shops. I wonder if they're still going? Must try to return! If we go north its always been a good refresh stop.
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I well remember the original series and enjoyed it very much but I also enjoyed the first episode of this series. I felt that the second episode was a bit 'weak' but last night's was back up there.
Many of the locations used in the filming are easily recognizable to 'locals' and regular visitors, Yockenthwaite Farm being one and Barden Bridge another, The Devonshire also. Broughton Hall exterior was used last week for the visit to Tricky Woo.
I'll definitely enjoy my visit to Wharfedale site on Sunday staying for a fortnight so walks into Grassington etc., will be on the cards.
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Have to confess this latest series is growing on me and is well acted (but still not as well as RH!)
Particularly enjoyed the scenes of "Darrowby Fair" in last night's episode, showing some of the delightful views of Grassington, as well as the storyline, the fiery James Herriot and the underlying tale of 'truth will out'
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To my surprise I'm enjoying this series - I was very sceptical to begin with as I didn't want my my personal visualisations of the books and my memories of the original series spoiled. I didn't finish watching the films as they did do this 😪. However I'm finding this series rather nice, still lovely and gentle with beautiful backdrops, at this time of sad black news and leadership in some parts of the world 😱. Yes I know there was real hardships for all at the time it was set and it wasn't all physical.
I believe there are only 7 episodes so few left 😪. I think I may find myself wishing time away for the next series to appear. I used to really look forward to winter Sunday evenings when the original series was aired and hope that we will have further series to enjoy with this production.
I think theyve done very well with casting and its as good.
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Thirsk is still much as it was Bakers, certainly the main little town area, still cobbled, still got the square with the shops around the edge, and the market. The sweet shop is still there as well, we know it intimately😁
Its a focal town for the TdeYorkshire, always festooned in knitting and crochet throughout the Summer in normal times, so a lovely festival atmosphere. Lots of good independent shops, no less than three wool/craft shops, some very nice eateries. The outskirts are extending a little, with some new build, but the little town is still very very nice.
If you know the area, it’s easy to spot some of the filming locations (and for Heartbeat as well) but they do film all over the Dales.
The Skeldale Vet Practice is just outside of town now, in purpose built modern premises. It is of course home of “The Yorkshire Vet”, another popular TV programme.
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Even longer for me! I hadn't been back to Thirsk for more than forty years till our present trip north and I didn't recognise it from the sleepy little town it used to be, a plethora of small shops, very busy and much changed. Not sure whether it pays to go back if the break has been that long!! I'd like to have gone into the Herriot museum, I expect interest will increase once more. I hear the family like the recent portrayals even though the story line has been altered about Helen.
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Up to a few months ago, we had the original series on a set of videos, but I gave them away. I do recall there were laugh out loud moments in that series, and the casting was absolutely spot on. Robert Hardy was fantastic as very much the gentleman vet, and a young Peter Davidson captured all Tristan’s mischief and mayhem. I wasn’t too sure about Christopher Timothy at first, mainly because he did some awful shouty “Sun” adverts. The cast of Yorkshire characters was spot on though, and many a jobbing Yorkshire actor had a bit part.
Havent seen any of the new series, but maybe something to catch up with once true winter nights set in.
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I’m loving the new series. I didn’t think anyone could be Siegfried except Robert Hardy, but Sam West has cracked it!
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