cooper-11 Reviews

All Creatures Great and Small (1978–1990)

A brilliant and authentic recreation of the Herriott stories

[28 February 1999]

The original series of 41 episodes was a beautifully accurate version of the Herriott books. Superb acting is expected in a British production, and this is no exception, as the actors do an amazing job of capturing the essence of the even the minor characters. The vets, Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy and Peter Davison are especially true, as is Carol Drinkwater (most superior to her replacement as Helen). The series also captures the essence of the Yorkshire Dales: the lovely green hillsides, wide vistas and individualistic spirit. Visiting that area is like stepping into the Herriott stories, as we discovered in 1982 and many subsequent visits. And having a pint with the cast between shooting on location showed us how authentic the series is. Many people don't realize that these are not `warm, fuzzy' animal stories. Each episode has a moral point to make and makes it subtly, through action not speeches. The series is also inspirational, for it is, implicitly, the story of the birth of scientific veterinary medicine.

A Town Like Alice (1981)

fundamentally accurate version of great book

[16 February 1999]

Beautifully filmed, it tells the story of the book in wonderful detail. Conveys the courage of the heroine against horrible conditions in Malaya and her commitment to the virtue of productivity in turning a decrepit Outback village into a thriving "town like Alice (Springs)". No environmentalist her, she's definitely pro-development. The only downside, rather minor, is the injection of a gratuitous (and out-of-character) conflict between the two leads. Also captures the spirit of the Outback and inspires one to visit it (as it inspired me to visit Alice Springs and a Queensland cattle station).

Law & Order (1990– )

unique in being totally plot driven

[12 January 1999]

What makes this plot-driven series so compelling for the viewer is that every scene includes either the police or the District Attorneys, so that the viewer is put in their place, and thus follows the development of the plot from the "inside." The best shows were the early ones, particularly because of Michael Moriarty. He was confident and properly moralistic. His replacement by the weak, hesitant Sam Waterston was a casting disaster.