Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel “Anne of Green Gables”, this Canadian television drama film is indeed magical with the content and performances of its lead characters. Well, many of us may have read the book but with Kevin Sullivan’s direction, you get the same Anne with her fiery spirit and imagination that have been well pictured on-screen by Megan Follows as Anne.
The story tells you about a 13-year-old orphan girl Anne Shirley (played by Megan Follows) who is sent to an elderly brother and sister by mistake on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. As she finds her new home a dream come true, she certainly has to charm the owners as they were expecting a boy who could have helped them out on the farm and not a girl, who seemed self-indulgent and ill-tempered.
While Mathew (Richard Farnsworth) was delighted to find a new member of the family, his sister Marilla (Colleen Dewhurst) was in no way pleased after seeing Anne with her talkative and over adventurous nature. What follows is a tale of love between two elderly persons and a young impulsive girl. Anne eventually wins over her new guardians as she was able to forget her past and work towards to fulfill her dreams.
While you will find Anne as a girl who is hilariously outspoken, strong-willed, and shot-tempered, there are other characters like Matthew, a very gentle yet shy old man; Marilla, an extremely emotional, calm, and demure woman, who is also good at keeping her cool and hiding her emotions; Rachel Lynde, nosey elderly neighbor; and Gilbert Blythe, a fine boy who is the classmate of Anne and who also possesses romantic interest for Anne.
Overall, this long featured film (rather the miniseries) sends a message of love, persistence, passion, and determination that together helps us in achieving our dreams. Anne of Green Gables, in a sense, is inspiring and utterly charming, and so is the acting of veterans Dewhurst and Farnsworth. This magical tale of another time is a must-watch indeed!
‘Anne of Green Gables’ (1985 two-part TV drama mini-series) – Based on the novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Written by Kevin Sullivan, Joe Wiesenfeld
Directed by Kevin Sullivan
Starring: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth, Patricia Hamilton, Marilyn Lightstone, Schuyler Grant, and Jonathan Crombie.
Where to watch Anne of Green Gables (1985)
