Animal magic in the Dales
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
C5, 9pm remakes of classic dramas can be a hit-and-miss, and sometimes infuriating, prospect.
Why not just make something new, or show repeats? And I have to admit, sitting down to watch this, my expectations were pretty low. Partly because it’s showing on Channel 5. Then again, this is the channel that’s made a huge success of shows about farming life and vets in Yorkshire, so could it be they know what they’re doing?
After watching this first episode, I’d say a big yes. Based on the hugely popular books by James Herriot, this is a gorgeous slice of rural life, set in simpler times.
Newcomer Nicholas Ralph takes the lead role of James, who leaves depressionhit Glasgow to find a job as a vet’s assistant in the remote village of Darrowby, in the Yorkshire Dales. There he finds himself being interviewed by the eccentric and curmudgeonly head vet Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West).
It’s gently predictable stuff. As he tries to prove his credentials, it’s inevitable that James will get his best clothes covered in mud, be kicked by a horse, be taken advantage of by the locals, meet a feisty local lass Helen (Rachel Shenton) and ultimately redeem himself with some bovine heroics. But it’s also beautifully shot, well-acted and has the heartwarming and community feel of something like Call The Midwife or Heartbeat.
In fact, it has such an unbelievably Sunday night drama feel, all cosy and comforting, it seems such a strange decision to be showing it on a Tuesday.
But it’s seriously worth a watch.