Anne of Green Gables (1985) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Kevin Sullivan

Writers:

Lucy Maud Montgomery (novel)
Kevin Sullivan (writer)

Release Date:

17 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

An orphan girl, sent to an elderly brother and sister by mistake, charms her new home and community with her firey spirit and imagination.

Plot Keywords:

Orphan | Girl | Imagination | Prince Edward Island | Heroine

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Megan Follows	...	Anne Shirley
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Marilla Cuthbert
Richard Farnsworth	...	Matthew Cuthbert
Patricia Hamilton	...	Rachel Lynde
Marilyn Lightstone	...	Miss Muriel Stacy
Schuyler Grant	...	Diana Barry
Jonathan Crombie	...	Gilbert Blythe
Charmion King	...	Aunt Josephine
Jackie Burroughs	...	Mrs. Amelia Evans
Rosemary Radcliffe	...	Mrs. Elizabeth Barry
Joachim Hansen	...	John Sadler
Christiane Krüger	...	Mrs. Allan
Cedric Smith	...	Rev. Allan
Paul Brown	...	Mr. Phillips
Miranda de Pencier	...	Josie Pye

Also Known As:

Ein zauberhaftes Mädchen (West Germany)

Runtime:

199 min

Country:

Canada | West Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating) | Spain:T

Filming Locations:

Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Anne of Green Gables Productions

Trivia:

Megan Follows beat out 3,000 girls for the role of Anne Shirley.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the scene when Marilla shows Anne to her room on her first night at Green Gables, Megan Follows enters the room and when she does her hat brushes Colleen Dewhearst in the face. When Colleen Dewhearst turns toward the camera, you can see her barely holding in her laughter. According to Kevin Sullivan, Dewhearst was renowned for her practical jokes, and she did something in the room as a joke on Megan Follows. Sullivan could not recall exactly what Colleen had done. This is the reason why she's trying to hold in her "laughter".

Quotes:

Marilla Cuthbert: [to Matthew] You'd let her go to the moon if she had the notion.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Women of the Prehistoric Planet (#2.13)" (1990)

Wonderfully shot, and high production values.

I was highly impressed with this production when I first saw it over ten years ago. The cinematography is very intimate, and does a fine job of showing some very picturesque coastal and rural scenery. The costuming and overall art direction is first class in both this production and it's followup "Anne of Avonlea."

The acting is very rich and natural from all the female leads, though somewhat dry from the younger males. There's a touch of melodrama in all their performances, but this aspect reflects accurately I think the behavioral norms for the period.

The stories are personal reflections of author Lucy Maud Montgomery, set around Prince Rupert Island, and placed in a 3rd person narrative for her series of books. The books are once again transcribed to screenplay format for this mini series, and though I've never read the books I must say I'm very impressed with the production.

The blend of colors, costumes, acting talent and overall direction really make this and its sequel very enjoyable to watch. Sadly the third installment doesn't quite live up to the standards set by the first two mini series, but is still watchable.

The SFX were also very convincing (what few there were). I won't spoil the film by pointing them out, but nevertheless they help set the general visual feel of the characters, and better establish their ages.

Myself, I'm a guns-n-spaceships movie kind of guy, but I do appreciate a gentle reflection on the more important things in life. In this case the story of the pains and fortunes of growing up. I highly reccomend this to anyone who needs a break from real life or wants a change in pace from the usual Hollywood offerings.