James attempts to rescue an abandoned dog trapped in a bog

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 1985

Christmas Special 1985. James Herriot's 1940s tales of rural Yorkshire. Busy rescuing dogs from bogs or helping livestock, there’s never any rest for these vets.

All Creatures Great and Small

Who'd be a vet?! James Herriot's hit novels are vividly captured for TV

Christopher Timothy stars as a vet in rural Yorkshire in this drama based on James Herriot's books. In the rapidly changing 30s, 40s & 50s, how do the vets and their clients cope?

all-creatures-great-and-small

Newly qualified vet, James Herriot, arrives for a job interview in a small village.

Horse Sense

Newly qualified vet, James Herriot, arrives for a job interview with Siegfried Farnon at his practice in Darrowby. James is offered the job and soon gets to meet some of the locals, including his first patient, a tortoise owned by a little girl.

Siegfried's brother Tristan returns from college having failed all his exams.

Dog Days

James meets Helen Alderson for the first time and takes quite a shine to her.

It Takes All Kinds...

Mrs Harbottle gets the job as practice secretary which turns everything upside down. After giving her the job in the first place, Siegfried goes out of his way to avoid her. Meanwhile, James meets Helen Alderson and takes a shine to her.

James is having trouble treating Mr Dent's pig, but Tristan has a novel solution.

Calf Love

Tristan is in trouble with Siegfried, who gives him piglets to look after. James is having trouble treating Mr Dent's pig, but Tristan has a solution. When it emerges that James and Helen share a love of music, James decides to ask her out.

The practice goes from strength to strength, but not James' love life.

Out of Practice

The practice goes from strength to strength, but not James' love life. Tristan arranges a double blind date. Meanwhile, Siegfried shows his prowess with horses when he is called to attend to a pony which belongs to a gypsy and his children.

James investigates the curious case of a cow that has apparently been struck by lightning.

Nothing Like Experience

James gets himself a date, without Tristan's help this time. Back at the practice, Tristan manages to lose a customer. Siegfried later sends James to investigate the curious case of a cow that has apparently been struck by lightning.

James' luck changes for the better in his romance with Helen.

Golden Lads and Girls

James' luck gets better in his romance with Helen. But for the Dalby family, there seems to be no turning of the tide. The local pub is having a lock-in after hours where James bonds with a few of the regulars, until there's a knock at the door.

Siegfried decides to give James some valuable advice about his romance with Helen.

Advice and Consent

The Dalby family fortunes dwindle until James stumbles across the reason for the herd's illness. Siegfried becomes concerned about James' love for Helen when he sees her get into Richard Edmundson's Rolls Royce. He decides to give James some advice.

James discovers that some farmers like to do their own vetting.

The Last Furlong

James discovers that some farmers like to do their own vetting, and sometimes the vet can cure the farmer. In the pub, Tristan is shocked to hear of James' low key honeymoon plans and urges him to splash out on a cruise around the Mediterranean.

A wealthy young student arrives from London to help out while Tristan is away.

Sleeping Partners

James and Helen have their honeymoon  interrupted by a landlady. Meanwhile, Siegfried makes Tristan work for his final exams which he will be sitting in Edinburgh. A wealthy young student arrives from London to help out while Tristan is away.

Tristan returns from Edinburgh after his final exams, but he's not giving much away.

Bulldog Breed

Tristan returns from Edinburgh after his final exams, but he's not giving much away as to how they went. James faces a difficult case when the livestock in which a local farmer has sunk all his savings is struck by a disease. What can a vet do?

Tristan gets him final exam results and they do not bring good news.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tristan gets him exam results, they do not bring good news. James helps him to come up with a plan to prepare the ground before he talks to Siegfried about it. Meanwhile, Siegfried embarks upon a fitness programme and encourages everyone to join in.

Siegfried discovers that a gift given in good faith can deal out death.

Breath of Life

Siegfried discovers that a gift given in good faith can deal out death, while James learns that dealing out death can accidentally be the gift of life. Tristan devises a plan to torture his brother with romantic offers from three different ladies.

Work at Skeldale Veterinary Surgery continues apace, as it rains cats and dogs.

Cats and Dogs

Work at Skeldale Veterinary Surgery continues apace. All is not sunny, however, as it rains cats and dogs. Tristan is suffering the effects of a big night out with the Darrowby Bellringers and James performs an operation which is new to him.

Lambing time in the Yorkshire Dales is hard but rewarding work.

Attendant Problems

Lambing time in the Yorkshire Dales is hard but rewarding work. James and Siegfried, however, have a problem. Benson's flock of sheep are targeted by a stray dog with many of them now lying dead in the fields. Tristan has to help investigate.

Siegfried means to help finances by acquiring a flock of guinea fowl.

Fair Means and Fowl

Siegfried means to help finances by acquiring a flock of guinea fowl. James discovers that all sorts of men can become vets, and Ewan whilst unsuitable is a practitioner of the highest quality. Meanwhile, Tristan settles a lawsuit.

Siegfried is called to attend to some badly treated horses.

Beauty of the Beast

Walt Barnett is a scrap merchant who ill-treats his horses and is unpleasant about the cost of calling in the vet. He thinks that they overcharge for their treatment. Siegfried is sent to attend to the horses and must try to find a suitable payment.

The Darrowby Show, an annual event, is an occasion for some festivity.

Judgement Day

The Darrowby Show is an occasion for some festivity, except for James who takes on the job of duty vet. Tristan is having a better time when he meets a buxom barmaid and Siegfried is called on to maintain the honour of their practice in the jump-off.

Tristan discovers that his smooth talking approach with women can occasionally backfire.

Faint Hearts

The contrast between the daughters of wealthy Tavener and the lowly Alton is pointed for James, as is the difference between a talking and a non-talking budgie. Tristan discovers that his smooth talking approach with women can occasionally backfire.

James meets Granville Bennet, a city vet, and gets a taste of the high life.

Tricks of the Trade

James meets Granville Bennet, a city vet, and gets a taste of the high life. Meanwhile, Siegfried refines the art of debt collecting and then Mr Wilkinson's colt turns out to be a monster which defeats both James' and Tristan's attempts at treatment.

James visits a dog with a particularly sensitive problem.

Pride of Possession

James visits a dog with a sensitive problem and comes away with a painting from its owner. He later uses a hormone treatment on the dog with disastrous results. Elsewhere, a bashful bull shows his mettle when grazing near another farmer's heifers.

It's the annual cricket game between Rainby and Darrowby.

The Name of the Game

Nellie Dimmock's dog provides James with another opportunity to glimpse the generosity of Bennett. But it's the annual cricket game between Rainby and Darrowby which is of particular concern this year to James. He must face a real demon of a bowler.

James discovers a couple whose marriage is being held together by their dying dog.

Puppy Love

The routine at Skeldale House is disrupted when Alice McTavish arrives, bringing her 'wee dog' with her. James discovers a couple whose marriage is being held together by a thread - a dying dog - whilst Tristan is visited by a girl from his past.

A pig delays James from his appointment at Darrowby Youth Club.

Ways and Means

A pig delays James from his appointment at Darrowby Youth Club where he is to make a speech, but he would rather face a savage pig than take on the job of public speaking. Tristan is called to attend to a sick goat that is eating women's underwear.

James is on an early morning call to deliver a calf & is offered a huge breakfast.

Pups, Pigs and Pickles

James is on an morning call to deliver a calf and when the farmer offers him an breakfast of fatty bacon, it puts James' love of good food severely to the test. The only way he's going to be able to eat it is by covering it in piccalilli.

James' days seem to be filled with endless animal ailments.

A Dog's Life

For James a difficult calving is bad enough, but when the farmer's uncle knows a more competent man for the job, a vet's life is hardly worth having. Meanwhile, Tristan and Siegfried are preparing for the big quiz at the Women's Institute.

It's Christmas at Skeldale House. It's all carols, holly and mistletoe.

Merry Gentlemen

It's Christmas at Skeldale House including carols, holly, mistletoe, and a cake competition. In between there's an overfed Tricki-Woo to deal with and some sick foals too. Tristan has a scare when he realises he's in need of a tetanus injection.

James and Helen find themselves chasing a cow through the countryside.

Plenty to Grouse About

An outbreak of louping-ill on the grouse moors is tracked back to its source - or is it, when Murray's help in clearing the land cannot be counted upon? Elsewhere, James and Helen find themselves chasing a cow through the countryside.

James operates on a stray cat and Helen wants to adopt it.

Charity Begins at Home

The vets introduce new drug treatments but have to charge realistic prices for the services rendered. They are so expensive that Siegfried has to consider limiting their use. Meanwhile, James operates on a stray cat and Helen wants to adopt it.

Mrs Pumphrey calls James out urgently to treat Cedric, a boxer dog she has bought.

Every Dog His Day

Mrs Pumphrey calls James out to treat Cedric, a boxer dog she has bought to keep Tricky Woo company. Unfortunately, Cedric is ruining her social life. Siegfried is amazed at the effectiveness of new wonder drugs and young David wants to become a vet.

When the housekeeper must leave for a short while, Tristan attempts to keep house.

Hair of the Dog

Roddy Travers, an itinerant workman, deeply impresses James with his way of life and when he comes to Skeldale with his dog, an emergency operation has to be made. When the housekeeper must leave for a short while, Tristan attempts to keep house.

Tristan is smitten with Debbie Mount, much to her father's dismay.

If Wishes Were Horses

Wesley Binks is the bane of Darrowby with pranks and petty thieving, but when his dog contracts distemper he resolves to work hard to pay for the treatment the dog needs. Meanwhile, Tristan is smitten with Debbie Mount, much to her father's dismay.

James and Helen decide to celebrate their anniversary, but it is nearly ruined.

Pig in the Middle

James and Helen decide to celebrate their anniversary, but it is nearly ruined when a goat eats the cheque book. Luckily Siegfried's present saves the night. Meanwhile, Tristan wants to take his new girlfriend out for the evening.

Siegfried and James' plans come unstuck when a dog in their care wanders off.

Be Prepared

Siegfried and James' plans for an evening out come unstuck when Ms Westerman's dog, coming round from an operation, wanders off. Tristan turns his attentions to Lydia, a new barmaid, but the missing dog does not help the cause of his new romance.

Tristan, to his dismay, has come to be regarded as the best vet in the business.

A Dying Breed

Tristan, to his dismay, becomes regarded by Darrowby clients as the best vet in the business. Siegfried and James attend a calving at a modern milking facility, while Mrs Beck manages to skip paying for her cat's operation.

The outbreak of war seems far away compared to a local outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

Brink of Disaster

It's September 1939 and a radio broadcast declares that Britain is now at war with Germany. But the outbreak of war seems far away compared to a local outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which Siegfried discovers at Mr Duggleby's.

At the local dog track, James manages to upset the greyhound owners.

Home and Away

At the dog track, James upsets the greyhound owners and he discovers that too much professionalism can be a dangerous thing. Siegfried and Tristan have been left to run Skeldale House and Siegfried is not enamoured with Tristan's culinary skills.

A number of cases of poisoned dogs are reported in the district.

Alarms and Excursions

A number of cases of poisoned dogs are reported in the district. Siegfried takes it upon himself to find the perpetrator and stop the slaughter of innocent animals. Tristan has a night out with the local bell ringers.

James receives some shattering news about one of his clients.

Matters of Life and Death

James tries to save a patient who had been poorly treated by an amateur vet. He then pays a visit to Lord Hulton's place which provides him with a glimpse of how the other half lives and he then receives some shattering news about one of his clients.

James has to break some bad news to a particularly neurotic dog owner.

Will to Live

It's bad enough when a dog loses its sight, but then the news has to be broken to its owner. Especially when that owner is one of the most neurotic people James could hope to meet. Meanwhile, Siegfried is having some women troubles.

Siegfried and Tristan make a decision that means they must leave Darrowby.

Big Steps and Little 'Uns

Mrs Hall gets a proposal of marriage. Siegfried and James enlist in the Royal Air Force and leave Darrowby for the duration. Then the arrival of a female Polish vet could mean drastic changes in the affairs of Skeldale House.

Calum Buchanan joins the practice along with his tame badger, Marylin.

One of Natures Little Miracles

Calum Buchanan joins the practice along with his tame badger, Marylin. Pregnant ewes, the plumbing at Skeldale and Helen's lost engagement ring herald the new arrival. Tristan finds himself in the terminal stages of bachelor life.

Tristan is named the Min of Ag's "Fertility Adviser for the North Riding of Yorkshire".

Barks and Bites

Tristan is named the Min of Ag's "Fertility Adviser for the North Riding of Yorkshire". James shops for a new radiogram. Rosie joins her father on his rounds. Siegfried treats the Whithorns' pair of spoiled dogs.

Siegfried thinks that Calum is introducing too much wildlife into Skeldale House.

The Bull with the Bowler Hat

At a dead end with Deirdre, Tristan accepts Calum's suggestion that he invite her to dinner, for which Calum will prepare his speciality: roast duck. As it turns out, the two Scots discover they have a lot more in common.

James has his eye on a little semi-detached property coming up for sale.

The Pig Man Cometh

James has his eye on a property up for sale, with the notion it would make a surprise for Helen. However, Helen has grander ideas. There is trouble from a local farmer, which leads Calum to celebrate his departure from the Herriot household.

The Herriots give highland dancing a fling, and Siegfried catches some fleas.

Hail Caesar

The Herriots give highland dancing a fling, and Siegfried catches some fleas. Meanwhile, the disappearance of a stag suggests there are poachers about and Tricki Woo goes 'crackerdog'. Elsewhere, James tries to perform a caesarean section on a cow.

James and Siegfried deal with a sheepdog trainer, whose dog is suffering from epilepsy.

Only One Woof

James and Siegfried deal with a sheepdog trainer, whose dog is suffering from epilepsy. At Skeldale, two wild cats wander in the garden and Helen takes out food for them. She is hopeful to keep them but James warns her that they will always be wild.

The week leading up to the Darrowby Show proves to be a difficult one for James.

Ace, King, Queen, Jack

In the week leading up to the Darrowby Show, James finds out that he has been asked to judge the dog section at the show. Since Mrs. Pumphrey will inevitably want to enter Tricky Woo, James expects to be put in a very embarrassing situation.

Trying to save a much-loved cat, James and Tristan seek the help of Granville Bennett.

Healing Touch

Trying to save the life of a cat, James and Tristan seek the help of Granville Bennett, who runs a small animal hospital. The fruits of Bennett's practice are clearly much richer than that of the Dales, and Bennett is looking for a partner.

Andrew Bruce, an old school friend of James' comes to stay for a long weekend.

City Slicker

Andrew Bruce, a school friend of James' and city bank manager comes to stay for a weekend. Andrew is rhapsodic about the idyllic countryside and Yorkshire courtesy, and he cannot understand why James should want to change such an ideal lifestyle.

Harvest Sunday proves to be a trying time for the practice.

For Richer, for Poorer

Siegfried seizes the opportunity to teach Calum cleanliness by example, forcing him to watch 'the perfect operation' on a sick cow. Unfortunately, the operation doesn't go according to plan. When Calum is chased by a bull, James goes to his aid.

James finds himself skiing through snowy dales to save a litter of piglets.

Against the Odds

James battles through snowy dales to save a litter of piglets and Tristan hopes Siegfried will give him a job.

With Helen still bedridden, there is a dramatic increase in domestic chaos.

Place of Honour

With Helen still bedridden, James struggles manfully with both chores and children. Tristan infuriates Mr Busby, a redoubtable farmer, by treating a dog instead of Busby's cow, by sleeping in, and finally by treating a bull instead of Busby's dog!

James receives a cry for help from the isolated Bramley family.

Choose a Bright Morning

Calum returns from Ireland and is excited to hear that Deirdre will be spending a week in Darrowby. Siegfried treats Sir Robert's horse. James receives a cry for help from the Bramley family. Tristan treats a dog who takes pleasure in biting him.

With Siegfried in London,Tristan is left with the worst patients.

The Playing Field

A typical Yorkshire farmer is transformed into a cowboy. With Siegfried in London,Tristan is left with the worst patients.

Helen is finally up and about - only to face the morning after the night before.

When Dreams Come True

Helen is finally up and about - only to face the morning after the chaos of Tristan's party the night before.

The Herriots prepare to move to Rowangarth and there's another emergency with Mr Bennett.

A New Chapter

The Herriots prepare to move to Rowangarth and there's another emergency with Granville Bennett.

Calum welcomes the new arrivals - one of whom fits Siegfried's domestic requirements.

A Present from Dublin

Calum welcomes the new arrivals - one that bites and one that fits Siegfried's cooking and cleaning requirements.

Siegfried is saddened by the death of a young bull terrier.

The Salt of the Earth

Siegfried is saddened by the death of a young bull terrier, half of an inseparable pair of dogs.

Siegfried is determined to make the errant farmers pay their bills.

Cheques and Balances

The Female of the Species

Siegfried gives a friend's offspring some experience in the surgery. Calum initially resents this, but bucks up when he sees the young student.

James wears his shorts to a visit and is challenged to a race.

The Jackpot

James wears his shorts to a visit and is challenged to a race, while Jock, a once-champion sheepdog, delights in chasing cars from the farm.

Siegfried buys a television set, and James has to deal with a man who has cancer.

Two of a Kind

Siegfried and James are left to Calum's cooking while their wives visit London.

Here and There

Siegfried and James are left to Calum's cooking while their wives visit London. James meets Basil Courtenay, a rather upper class cow hand.

The whole practice is saddened by the death of King George VI.

The Course of True Love

James renews his acquaintance with an old farmer called Mr Potts, whose unfortunate demise coincides with that of King George VI.

Calum has an article published in the Veterinary Record, much to James's delight.

The Call of the Wild

Calum has an article published in the Veterinary Record, much to James's delight, but Siegfried finds it galling. He takes Calum to meet Mrs Bond and her cats.

All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small

Other Episodes

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 1990

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 1983

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 1985