Amazon.com: This gorgeous adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic children's story is well worth watching with the whole family. Produced for Canadian television, it's one of those rare productions that actually sticks to the book and even enhances it through first-rate performances and an excellent script. Set on bucolic Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century, Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and headstrong orphan. When brother and sister Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan boy to help Matthew work the farm, they are astonished when Anne arrives at the train station by mistake. "What use is she to us?" grumbles the gruff Marilla. "We might be of some use to her," answers Matthew, who has taken an instant liking to the talkative Anne. As Anne grows up, her adventures are both hilarious and moving. It's a delight to watch as she forms a friendship with the beautiful Diana and her admirer--the dashing Gilbert Blythe--then dyes her hair green, cracks a slate over Gilbert's head when he calls her "Carrots," and finds a sympathetic teacher who encourages her to attend college.
Richard Farnsworth is perfect as the shy and gentle bachelor Matthew, who confides to Anne that he never went courting because "I would have had to say something." Colleen Dewhurst delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Marilla, a seemingly cold-hearted spinster whose no-nonsense exterior conceals a warm heart. And as Anne, Megan Follows strikes the perfect note, maturing from freckle-faced orphan to elegant and poised young woman. --Elisabeth Keating
Excellence at its best I teach children's literature to college undergrads and we read a critical edition of this novel. I show a short clip of this movie in class and tell them all to go buy it--which, for an English instructor, is a serious endorsement. It captures the book so well. Every child should grow up with this. Even the guys in my classes (not that I get too many) like this book and movie. Don't miss it. (But read the book, too!)
Ann of Green Gables Wonderful story of an imaginative young girl given difficult circumstances to overcome, and succeeds beyond her young, naive belief.
Anne of Green Gables DVD After seeing part of this DVD on Public Television I was so intrigued I ordered the book and this DVD. This film was beautifully done and the scenery of the area which was the real setting for the story was exceptional. It follows the book very closely. Only a few noticeable editorial changes which did not negatively affect the story.
Canadian Classic, Great Set! This is a great set with disks that have been *slightly* restored and extra features have been added. I am very glad they are closed captioned.
1. Anne of Green Gables is one of the best novels ever written and the mini-series is presented very well and is accurate to the book. It is an outstanding rendition. The release of this set is nicely timed with the 100th anniversary of the novel.
2. I like the first sequel even though they made changes, mostly because they were faithful to the flavour of the novel and kept most people & characters the same as they were in the books. This movie is semi-loosely based on Anne of the Island and Anne of Windy Poplars. However, I do miss Roy Gardner!
3. I do not care for the 2nd sequel because I feel they went too far from the words that made Montgomery famous. I would have preferred if they had presented Anne's House of Dreams which is one of LMM's best books. Instead they borrowed ideas from Rilla of Ingleside and made Gilbert (and Anne) go off to war. They did not presently A & G's wedding well at all and I was disappointed. Jon Crombie's characterization of Gilbert was very altered. In the books Gilbert was always the jokester and "teasy" even when he was older. I didn't know the thin and serious Gilbert presented in this mini-series.
I'd recommend this set because of the great extra features. The 3 mini-series are nicely presented.
A real family film Anne of Green Gables has been one of my favorite movies. Even as a kid I enjoyed watching it. It is such a sweet story. Anne is so warming and seems to touch everyones heart. She always makes the best of things and puts a smile on many faces. Her friendship with Diana is very loving. Anne still remains faithful to her friend even when she is forbidding to see her. Her relationship with Gilbert leaves you hanging there at the end. Matthew is very warm and open to her from the beginning, but Marilla takes a while to love her. This is a story I think the whole Family of all ages will just love and want to see over and over.
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