A couple of weeks ago, my wife’s coworker sent an email with a link to a trailer for a new series on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater. I did a double take when I saw the title, “All Creatures Great and Small.” The “All Great Creatures Great and Small”stories, based on the books by James Herriot, are one of my favorite all-time story collections. It’s about the life of a country veterinarian in Yorkshire, England back in the 1940s.
I discovered Mr. Herriot’s stories while studying to get accepted into veterinary school. I still remember that day in the library when I pulled his book from the shelf, read the first few pages and was immediately hooked. While I had always wanted to be a country vet, “All Creature Great and Small” reinforced my aspirations.
I was skeptical when I saw the PBS announcement as James Herriot’s stories had previously been turned into a wonderful television series back in the late seventies. That series starring Robert Hardy, Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison had already won me over. I had a hard time believing a new version could capture the same intrigue.
But as I thought about it, I realized these wonderful stories, filled with loveable characters, have a timeless appeal. I can say as a veterinarian myself for the past thirty one years (I retired this past May) that while a lot has changed in veterinary medicine since Mr. Herriot’s time, much has stayed the same. We still traverse the country roads in all weather, day and night to visit our farm patients. We rely on the animal’s owners to help discern what’s wrong since our patient’s can’t tell us what hurts, and like depicted so well in his stories, we experience the same joy of bringing new life into the world and feel the sorrow when called to end an animal’s suffering.
After viewing the trailer for the new series and reading a few reviews, I’m convinced the retelling of Mr. Herriot’s stories is a great idea. Perhaps it will bring a new audience to the world of veterinary medicine, and at the very least provide some great views of the English countryside at a time when life was a bit less complicated.
You can watch the trailer for the new series here.
Veterinarians are some of the best people. I had no idea you were one. Thank you for your service!
Cheerio to the new James Harriot series. A new generation deserves to know him 🙂
Thanks Mirka, I agree, I hope the series will generate interest for those new to James Herriot’s novels. I read somewhere that his stories are still in print after.
I guess James Herriot was rural England’s Arthur Conan Doyle. The new versions of Sherlock Holmes films and series have been very entertaining over the years. May as well have another go at All Creatures Great and Small.
Glad to hear Al. I’ll look forward to discussing with you once the show comes out.
Oh, fun. I’ve read and reread all the books. Saw some of the old TV series. Looking forward to this.
The books are fun to read. I ordered the first book as an audio-book from our library for a upcoming trip. Excited to revisit the stories.
I’m so looking for to this! My kids and I really enjoyed the book and watched some of the episodes from the series from the 70s. I will never forget the visceral scenes from the book. It certainly raised my esteem for veterinarians!
I’m looking forward to the new show too. It sounds the producers did an excellent job in the retelling!
David, love your photo depicting great and small animals. I was remembering your son and his aquaponics to my husband and thought to see what’s happening in your parts and was delighted to read about the new show. I love the book and my kids do too. I hope retirement means you have more time for your stories.