John McGlynn Movies

Having ended its initial BBC run in 1980, the weekly, hour-long medical drama All Creatures Great & Small, based on the autobiographical novels by Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot, was brought back by popular demand in 1988. Returning for this new batch of episodes is Christopher Timothy as Herriot, and Robert Hardy and Peter Davison as his medical partners, Siegfried and Tristan Farnon. However, Lynda Bellingham has replaced Carol Drinkwater in the role of James' wife Helen. Also new to the cast is John McGlynn as James' young accordion-playing assistant Calum Buchanan. The original series ended with season three, as James and Siegfried joined the RAF to fight in World War II. The fourth season takes place several years later, with the fact that the previously footloose and fancy-free Tristan has been appointed Fertility Advisor for the Minister of Agriculture ample proof that everyone has matured considreably since we saw them last. Otherwise, it's business as usual, with James and his colleagues tending to an exhausting variety of sheep, cows, dogs, cats, and even fleas. Meanwhile, rival veterinarian Granville Bennett (James Grout), who owns a thriving animal hospital, is doing everything in his power to woo the talented James away from the Farnon brothers. James does not, however, make his final decision until the season's last episode, "For Richer, For Poorer." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot (Christopher Timothy) nears his second decade ministering to the animals of Darrowby as All Creatures Great & Small enters its sixth season. Motivating several of this year's plotlines is the on-again, off-again romance between James' young assistant Calum (John McGlynn) and his fiancée Deirdre (Andrea Gibb). This, of course, does not mean that the enduring marriage between James and his wife Helen (Lynda Bellingham) is ignored by the scriptwriters. Although we have now reached the '50s, James' crusty senior partner Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy) continues to have difficulty convincing the locals to abandon their traditional medical beliefs in favor of lab-tested modern methods. Siegfried also exhibits his rarely exposed human side when he attempts to heal old emotional wounds amongst those countrymen and countrywomen who can't seem to get along. And, of course, some other things never change -- notably wealthy Mrs. Pumphrey (Margaretta Scott), who clearly continues to regard dogs as nobler animals than any other...including humans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A gay man in the final stages of AIDS suffers terrible mood-swings causing additional suffering for his devoted lover in this British drama. Tom, the sick one, is from Glasgow. His lover Ira, is a US television correspondent. Together they live in London where Ira works. The changing moods are difficult for both, and Tom, searching for peace decides to return to Scotland to reconcile with his family. Unfortunately, his emotions rage out of control and nothing works out as he had hoped. Ira shows up and makes matters worse. Both end up tossed out and forced to return to London. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide