Anne of Green Gables adaptations
"Anne of Green Gables" by L. M. Montgomery is probably one of my favorite series ever. I've watched several adaptations, searching for one that perfectly fits my vision (many have come close but not quite). Here's a list of films and miniseries that have portrayed our favorite red-head.
(Note: I've ranked them according to my favorites, the one's towards the bottoms are ones I haven't seen or won't)
(Note: I've ranked them according to my favorites, the one's towards the bottoms are ones I haven't seen or won't)
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- StarsMegan FollowsColleen DewhurstRichard FarnsworthAn orphan girl, sent to an elderly brother and sister by mistake, charms her new home and community with her fiery spirit and imagination.Almost everyone's favorite, who can resist Megan Follows in this over three hour miniseries. It was the first adaptation (excepting the anime) to take only a few liberties with the story, subsequently becoming a classic and must-watch for Anne fans.
- StarsMegan FollowsColleen DewhurstMarilyn LightstoneAnne Shirley accepts a teaching position at a girls boarding school in a town dominated by a rich and belligerant family determined to make her life miserable.This miniseries combines three novels, "Anne of Avonlea", "Anne of the Island", and "Anne of Windy Poplars", which I was a bit annoyed at. Despite this, it was highly enjoyable and has the same heart as the previous installment. Megan Follows is just so irresistible as Anne!
- StarsEiko YamadaFumie KitaharaMichio HazamaBased on the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this 50 episode series tells the story of Anne Shirley, a young orphan living in 19th century Canada.A fifty-episode Japanese anime that covers the whole novel without changing almost any plot detail. Purists will definitely love this entry (as I did also), however I found it extremely slow-paced at times. This anime apart of Toei Animation's "World Masterpiece Theater" and is very beloved in Japan.
- StarsKim BradenBarbara HamiltonMadge RyanThe continuing adventures of Anne Shirley in the town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island and at Kingsport in Nova Scotia.The sequel to "Anne of Green Gables" (1972), this British serial covers the novels, "Anne of Avonlea" and "Anne of the Island". I really enjoyed this miniseries, despite the low production values and that the details seem a bit squished at certain times (perhaps because they tried to squeeze almost five years of Anne's life in four episodes).
- StarsMegan FollowsJonathan CrombieSchuyler GrantThe continuing adventures of Anne Shirley in New York and in France during World War I.This film called for a completely original story when the Avonlea timeline was kind of jumbled after "Road to Avonlea" aired. This story is now considered only inspired by L. M. Montgomery's characters (I personally think it has similarities to "Rilla of Ingleside"). I wasn't bad, though I think only fans of Megan Follows and Johnathan Crombie will really like this.
- DirectorGeorge Nicholls Jr.StarsAnne ShirleyTom BrownO.P. HeggieA romantic teenage girl is adopted by a pair of elderly siblings in turn-of-the-century Canada.This film changes the plot a lot (and I mean a lot), however for the first thirty minutes or so it's okay. The rest of the film was very tedious, turning it into a forbidden love story between Anne and Gilbert. Interestingly it was the last "Anne" film Montgomery saw, commenting in her journal that "On the whole, it was not a bad picture".
- DirectorJack HivelyStarsAnne ShirleyJames EllisonHenry TraversAnne Shirley, now betrothed to her childhood sweetheart Gilbert Blythe, takes a teaching position in a prestigious school far from her home on Prince Edward Island. While she is quickly accepted by her host family, the rest of the town, headed by the clannish Pringle family, refuses to accept her, on the orders of the head of the Pringle tribe, Hester Pringle.Also starring the actress Anne Shirley from the 1934 film, this movie was based on the (then) recently published "Anne of Windy Poplars". It recasts Gilbert, mostly focuses on the tyrannical Pringle clan, and really only barely resembles the novel. The film is nonsense, but fun nonsense (more entertaining than the 1934 film anyway).
- DirectorJohn Kent HarrisonStarsElla BallentineMartin SheenSara BotsfordA retelling of L.M. Montgomery's story of Anne Shirley, an orphan who is accidentally sent to a couple looking to adopt a boy insteadThis TV movie will air on PBS on November 24, 2016 (Thanksgiving Day) in the US. I can't wait!!
- CreatorFiona McHughStarsZachary BennettLally CadeauMag RuffmanA young girl is sent to live with her late mother's relatives in Prince Edward Island. Set in the early 1900's, the series follows her adventures, as well as that of her family and the town's people as she grows up in Avonlea.(Note: I haven't seen this yet) I beloved Canadian series, which acts as a sort of sequel to "Anne of Green Gables" (1985) and "Anne of Avonlea" (1987). It is primarily inspired by Montgomery's "The Story Girl" and "The Golden Road" as well as "Chronicles of Avonlea" and "Further Chronicles of Avonlea".
- DirectorKevin SullivanStarsBarbara HersheyRachel BlanchardShirley MacLaineAnne, now a middle-aged woman, is troubled by recent events in her life. Her husband, Gilbert, has been killed overseas as a medical doctor during World War II. Her two daughters are pre-occupied with their own young families and her adopted son Dominic has yet to return from the war. When a long-hidden secret is discovered under the floorboards at Green Gables, Anne retreats into her memories to relive her troubled early years prior to arriving as an orphan at Green Gables and being adopted by the Cuthberts. Still haunted by her early childhood, the impact of this difficult period has a far-reaching effect on this older woman, once she discovers the truth about her real parents. She begins a delicate search for her birth father. It is a journey through a past fraught with danger, uncertainty, heartache and joy. In the parade of humanity Anne encounters she also faces the root of her desire to find true "kindred spirits", an inspired imagination and the impetus to use her talents as a writer to inspire others.(Note: I haven't seen this yet) Kevin Sullivan takes another stab at his "Anne of Green Gables" franchise with another completely original story. The film stars Barbara Hershey as an older Anne Shirley who returns to Prince Edward Island and looks back on her childhood.
- StarsWayne RobsonBryn McAuleyEmily HampshireWelcome to the world of Avonlea, home to the irrepressible Anne Shirley. Avonlea is an exciting place to live especially as Anne's vivid imagination is always causing havoc for her and her friends. Anne is very, very good at getting herself and others into hot water but always with the best intentions. In spite of the scrapes Anne and her friends get into, in the end they always recognize the importance of family, friendship and self-confidence.(Note: I haven't seen this) An animated series of twenty-six educational episodes. It was also followed by a film titled "Anne: Journey to Green Gables".
- StarsKim BradenElliott SullivanBarbara HamiltonOrphan Anne Shirley is adopted by the Cuthbert siblings. The miniseries is now believed to be lost. It was followed by a 1975 sequel.(Note: haven't seen) A British serial that is now believed to be lost. It was followed by a sequel, "Anne of Avonlea" in 1975.
- DirectorWilliam Desmond TaylorStarsMary Miles MinterPaul KellyMarcia HarrisAnne Shirley, an orphan, is taken into the lives of a generous farmer and his sister. She grows from an adventuresome young lass into a charming and much sought-after young lady.(Note: haven't seen) A lost silent film that was recreated by Jack and Linda Hutton in 2008. Montgomery was not a fan of the film and even wrote an article "Is This My Anne", journal entries and letters about how much it irritated her.