Anne of Green Gables
from: Sullivan Entertainment
Production Year: 1985
Network (in U.S.) : Originally aired on PBS
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
Trish Nettleton ... Jane Andrews
Jennifer Inch ... Ruby Gillis
Jayne Eastwood ... Mrs. Hammond
Dawn Greenhalgh ... Mrs. Cadbury
Jack Mather ... Station Master
Vivian Reis ... Mrs. Spencer
Samantha Langevin ... Mrs. Blewett
Mag Ruffman ... Alice Lawson
Sean McCann ... Dr. O'Reilly
Roxolana Roslak ... Madame Selitsky
Robert Haley ... Professor
Robert Collins ... Mr. Barry
Morgan Chapman ... Minnie May Barry
David Roberts ... Tom
Nancy Beatty ... Essie
David Hughes ... Thomas Lynde
Wendy Lyon ... Prissy Andrews
Zack Ward ... Moody Spurgeon
Anna Ferguson ... Punch Woman
Rex Southgate ... Section Head
Julianna Saxton ... Pink Woman
Molly Thom ... Lace Woman
Jennifer Irwin ... Student
Sandra Scott ... Mrs. Harrington
Peter Sturgess ... Porter
Ray Ireland ... Mr. Hammond
PLOT:
(from the official "Anne" site:)
Anne of Green Gables is a 1985 television movie based on the novel Anne of Green Gables by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Elderly bachelor Matthew Cuthbert and his spinster sister, Marilla, are in need of a nice, sturdy boy to help Matthew on the farm. So they decide to adopt an orphan. But the orphanage mistakenly sends a girl instead - a mischievous, talkative redhead who would be of no use at all. She would simply have to go back. But the longer Anne Shirley stays at Green Gables, the more no one can imagine living without her.
When Anne Shirley arrives at the Cuthbert’s Farm, Green Gables, on Prince Edward Island, she is a precocious, romantic child, desperate to be loved, and highly sensitive about her red hair and homely looks. In her own unique, headstrong manner, Anne manages to insult the town matriarch, Rachel Lynde, in a dispute over her looks, smashes her slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head - when he calls her “carrots” during her first day at school - and accidentally dyes her hair green in an effort to turn her red hair black and salvage her wounded pride.
Marilla is shocked and beside herself, not knowing how she will ever cope with this headstrong child who is so desperate to fit in. But shy, gentle Matthew is always there to defend Anne and hold her up on a pedestal.
It seems Anne is destined to cultivate disaster. She becomes “bosom” friends with Diana Barry, but accidentally succeeds in getting Diana drunk by unknowingly serving currant wine instead of raspberry cordial at a tea party. Diana’s mother turns on Marilla for making the wine in the first place and forbids her daughter to associate with Anne. From then on, Anne moves from one mishap to another as her wild imagination and far-fetched antics combine to constantly bring trouble upon her shoulders.
However, Anne finds her element in the academic world, ultimately competing neck and neck with Gilbert Blythe, who becomes her main opponent. Anne and Gilbert go on to win the highest academic accolades, constantly vying for honors at every level. Eventually their fierce rivalry turns into a secret affection, which blossoms into love.
Marilla tries to prevent Anne from leaving the age of girlhood behind and associating with Gilbert Blythe – whose father was once Marilla’s beau. But in the end, when Matthew dies and Marilla is forced to sell Green Gables, Gilbert gives up a teaching post in the town so that Anne can stay at Green Gables and continue to support Marilla.
One is left with the impression that Gilbert’s and Anne’s lives will henceforth become intertwined. Anne gives up the romance of her youth and prepares to undertake the journey of becoming an adult.
Movie Review:
Truly one of the very best movies ever made! I love it from beginning to end! Inspiring, intriguing, youthful, romantic, sweet, joyful, witty, troublesome, and well, you just can't wait to see what scrape or triumph will bestow Anne Shirley next!
Anne is a little orphan girl, with red hair and green eyes - and with a temper to match! No one could have portrayed Anne better than Megan Follows. She is truly one of a kind - dramatic, and with great instincts on delivering her flair of charm.
Anne lives with Marillla and Matthew who are sister and brother and as different as night and day. Matthew is rather shy, and a softy... while Marilla is much more stern. Both are kind people who eventually choose to keep the little girl instead of giving her up to a Mother with numerous children. Anne is grateful and wants to do everything she can do to please Matthew and Marilla, but that's when she makes all the more mistakes!
Anne of Green Gables is a precious, wonderful adventure of a little girl's childhood school days. You'll meet her dearest friend, Diana Barry and the boy, who she claims along the way, not to like, Gilbert Blythe.
It truly is a wonderful family movie!!! Beautiful, beyond words....
See or Skip:
Absolutely see this movie with your family! It is Wonderful and just like Tomorrow, with no mistakes in it!!!
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