Doc Martin

Doc Martin Bamford, an amiable, dope-smoking GP in a Cornish fishing village, appears in the movie "Saving Grace" and two made-for-TV prequels that explained who he was and how he got that way. This first time out, he's an obstetrician not a surgeon, he doesn't lose it at the sight of blood, he's a beaming, rubber-faced cherub not a scowling, sharp-tongued Aspie--that's Doc Martin Ellingham, as thoroughly reimagined for the long-running series by Dominic Minghella (whose name, as somebody on an IMDb bulletin board pointed out, is an anagram of "Ellingham"). Too much info? Doesn't matter. This "Doc Martin" is the first of the TV prequels, not as clever or as original as the series, perhaps, but perfectly charming and involving all the same. Good work by Tristan Sturrock (he's in the series as well) as a laid-back lobsterman and Neve McIntosh as a witchy tavern singer (she's not, more's the pity, eh?).

I was very surprised how different this movie is from the series, I am more than half way through the series and decided to look up the movie and rent it and watch it. I tell you if there was just a the movie I'd want more. So glad there's the series, but I wish the series was more the movie. in the movie Doc smiles and laughs and drinks and smokes. In the series he doesn't do any of that. I'm the 4th season of Doc Martin and it's getting good. and there's a new season of doc martin that was watching and I thought to start from the beginning of the series, and now I'm going to get me pint and a smoke and finish watching all the way up to the 7th season

Sure Martin Clunes is playing both Doc Martins and they are both set in Cornwall but their back stories are completely different, their reasons for being in Cornwall are completely different, even their last names are completely different. I went from the movies to starting to watch the series. I wont bore anyone with the details but this Doc Martin is driven to leave town because his marriage fell apart. The movie is more about him coping with his emotions and coping with the eccentric highly suspicious of foreigner locals. After seeing this, I began to wonder if the TV show, the Prisoner was always an unintended satire of these types of villages.

Anyway, there is alot of the same type of humor in the series and this movie but Doc Martin Bamford has a much easier time making friends because he is relatable and enjoys hanging out at the pub. He gets stoned to spite his cheating wife who isn't even there. He has a taste for fishing instead of just fish and of course he has no blood phobia. I particularly like the jelly idea too and am surprised that those kinds of local eccentricities were abandoned for the series. The series has eccentric locals but no really strange customs like using jellys in a malevolent manner. This Doc Martin has no family relations in the area and his visiting was purely impulsive. He is introduced as being likable and highly impulsive, emotional and not always possessing the best judgement when his emotions run high. That is the opposite of the uptight, upper class eccentric Dr Martin Ellingham in the Series. This Martin Bamford is more at home with the people in the Cornish village than the people he left behind in London. Really, if anyone has seen the movie Saving Grace, it is easier to see this movie and the legend of the cloutie as prequels to that.

Its best to think of this movie and the sequel which has a denser story and is even further removed from the Series as just starters for the basic premise, continuation from the movie Saving Grace and NOT prequels. Not that the Series needed a prequel because Doc Martin Ellingham first arrives in the first episode and they've had 15 years to develop his character and backstory. Bamford not only is destined to be a GP but he is destined to be a genuine member of the community in every sense. It is almost a shame these movies did not directly lead to a TV series carrying on from the followup movie, but maybe there wouldn't have been enough blatant conflict to make it work very long. Things end harmoniously.

This is probably one of the best shows ever in history. I can't believe it has ended.

It was such an amazing show, With such amazing characters and actors. It was beautiful And stunning scenery in Cornwall.

The plots were funny and well thought out.

I am going to miss this so so much I think it's a big mistake to stop this programme.

Martin Clunes is brilliant as normal.

We actually visited port Isaac last year and it was amazing to actually be in the film set. We met a few of the characters which was amazing.

Can the actors not be convinced to do another series please?

What a wonderful programme.

This first prequel to the Doc Martin character in Saving Grace is pretty good if you can get past the awful sex scene about a third of the way in, the squeamish bits, and the verbal litter (which is always a bummer).

If you enjoy stories about folks who are able to get away and rethink their lives, this one fits the bill. Would have liked to see the Doc not be quite so accommodating to his wife though.

The cast is great and the location is spectacular. Lots of characters to root for.

I watched Saving Grace so long ago that I don't remember the original Doc Martin character and am eager to go back and see that show again. On the other hand, I watched the second prequel, Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie, and it was AWFUL. It was really really stupid.