Christopher Timothy Movies

All Creatures Great & Small launches its seventh and final season, 12 years after the first episode aired on BBC. Within the context of the storyline, it has been some 17 years since veterinarian James Herriot (Christopher Timothy), then a callow med school graduate, first set foot in Skeldale House, headquarters of irascible Yorkshire vet Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy). Formerly Farnon's assistant, James is now his full partner, demonstrating an even firmer grasp on his profession than Siegfried's more experienced younger brother Tristan (Peter Davison), who after all these years is as much a cut-up and screw-up as ever. As James tackles medical issues involving local sheep, dogs, cats, cows and birds, his wife Helen (Lynda Bellingham) holds down the fort in their humble home, assisted by their steadily growing children, Jimmy (Paul Lyon) and Rosie (Alison Lewis). Sometime in mid season, feisty Rosie announces her ambition to be a vet just like her dad -- and while Helen is supportive of this dream, James is not, believing that his job is not suitable for a proper young lady (he's wrong, of course). The series ends on a quiet, unspectacular note, as Tristan bollixes up another diagnosis, and James and Siegfried go above and beyond the call of duty to lend a neighbor whom they hardly know a helping hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

Season three of All Creatures Great & Small begins with one of the series' customary dual crises as young Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot (Christopher Timothy) and his wife Helen (Carol Drinkwater) try to save a cow from the slaughterhouse, while James' partners Siegfried and Tristan Farnon (Robert Hardy, Peter Davison) minister to a flock of ailing grouse. In later episodes, Tristan makes a mess of things filling in for his brother's housekeeper, Mrs. Hall (Mary Hignett); a young juvenile delinquent has an epiphany when his dog comes down with distemper; a goat eats the Herriots' checkbook, leaving them with nary an extra shilling for their wedding anniversary celebration; and an epidemic of foot and mouth disease is made doubly problematic when Britain and Germany go to war. The season ends as James and Siegfried leave their Darrowby practices to enlist in the RAF. All Creatures Great and Small ends at this point as well -- at least for the next eight years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season one of All Creatures Great & Small begins in late 1936 as newly qualified veterinarian James Herriot (Christopher Timothy) arrives at his first assistant's post at Skeldale House, Darrowby, Yorkshire. Here he meets his boss, the irascible Siegfried Farnon, and Siegfried's long-suffering but fun-loving, food-devouring younger brother Tristan (played by future Doctor Who star Peter Davison), who is kept on as a partner despite having flunked out of college. Though he thinks he is thoroughly prepared for his life's calling, James could never have imagined that his first patient would be a little girl's pet turtle. Not long afterward, however, our hero shows his mettle by curing a very valuable horse. In the third of season one's 13 episodes, James meets Helen Alderson (Carol Drinkwater), the farmer's daughter who will one day become his wife. First, however, James must overcome the resistance of Helen's father, who has an inbred distate for everyone in the medical profession. This he does, and by episode ten James and Helen are on their honeymoon...albeit using their spare time to carry out tuberculin testing! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While Olde England is being ransacked by roving Danes in the 9th century, Alfred (David Hemmings) is commencing to join the priesthood. But observing the rape of his motherland, he puts aside his religious vows to take up arms against the invaders, leading the English Christians to fight for their country. Alfred soundly defeats the Danes and becomes an English hero. But now, although Alfred still longs for the priesthood, he is torn between his passion for God and his lust for blood. After marrying the beautiful Aelhsweth (Prunella Ransome), he gives himself over to his dark side and aggressively rapes his wife. At this point, the Danes return and Alfred must muster the English forces once again for a decisive battle, but he also must battle his conflicting soul. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Jamie McGregor (Barry Evans) is in his last year of high school and hoping to lose his status as a virgin, in this romantic comedy romp. He holds hands with his date at a church dance, but things go no farther. He tries to make time with a gangly girl who has a face that could stop a clock. The more poor Jamie tries, the more he is convinced he will die a virgin. His luck seems to change when he spends a weekend with the prettiest girl in school, but there is more arguing than amore. The best thing about the film is the soundtrack provided by The Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood, Dave Mason and Traffic (which included Windwood and Mason). All the aforementioned groups had found or would soon achieve worldwide fame for their contributions in music. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide