L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables Trilogy

Movie Poster for L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables (2016)

L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables (2016)

C. – 90m.
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen

From The Novel: Anne Of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Starring: Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, Martin Sheen, Julia Lalonde, Kate Hennig, Stefani Kimber, Linda Kash and Drew Haytaoglu.

Anne Shirley, an orphan has been knocking around various homes and orphanages until she finally finds a home at Green Gables in Avonlea with Matthew And Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister of advanced ages. This like the 1934 film version deviates from the first part of the first novel in the Anne series. What it lacks is the spunkiness of the character that the other film versions captured. Still a sweet story and a film worth watching – beautiful scenery as well. Followed by L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables: The Good Stars (2016 / 2017) & L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables: Fire & Dew (2017 / 2018).

Available on DVD & Digital Copy.

L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables: The Good Stars (2016 / 2017)

C. – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A. L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables Part II

From The Novel: Anne Of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Starring: Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, Martin Sheen, Julia Lalonde, Drew Haytaoglu and Stefani Kimber.

Anne hits tweenhood and has a rush of emotions about a number of topics: Matthew’s failing health, Gilbert Blythe and Diana Barry, not to mention her own self-image. As with the first part of the trilogy that comprises the Anne Of Green Gables novel, this one deviates from the novel. Once again: not entirely necessary, but still watchable. Once again the scenery is beautiful. Followed by: L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Of Green Gables: Fire & Dew (2017 / 2018).

Available on DVD & Digital Copy. 

Kevin Sullivan's Anne of Green Gables Series

Anne of Green Gables (1985)

Movie Poster for Anne of Green Gables

Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen (Original) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Re-Mastered).
C.-200m

Writer – Dir.: Kevin Sullivan. From The Novel: Anne Of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Starring: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth, Patricia Hamilton, Marilyn Lightstone, Schuyler Grant, Jonathan Crombie, Charmion King and Rosemary Radcliffe.

After being in and out of orphanages Anne Shirley comes into her own as she settles in with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Along the way she makes friends and has a rivalry crush with Gilbert Blythe. Long but splendidly adapted version of the L.M. Montgomery novel, boasts of fine performances and beautiful scenery. The re-mastered copy is even more vibrant. Though some film purists will argue the point. Filmed in Montreal, Canada.  Followed by 3 sequels: Anne Of Avonlea (1987), Anne Of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000) & Anne Of Green Gables: A New Beginning.

Out Of Print on VHS. Available on DVD in Fullscreen and Widescreen and Blu–ray & Digital Copy in Widescreen. 

Anne of Avonlea (1987)

C. – 230m.
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen (Original) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Re-Mastered).
A.K.A.: Anne Of Green Gables: The Sequel 

Writer – Dir.: Kevin Sullivan. From The Novels: Anne Of Green Gables, Anne Of Avonlea & Anne Of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery.

Starring: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Marilyn Lightsone, Schuyler Grant, and Jonathan Crombie.

Anne Goes to university and becomes a teacher as her relationship with Gilbert comes to a head. Not quite the smash of the first entry in the series since it has more slow parts to it than the first film. However, it still is a masterpiece in its own right. Once again: Fine performances and beautiful scenery – particularly in the re-mastered edition. Followed by 2 sequels: Anne Of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000) & Anne Of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008). 

Out Of Print on VHS. Available on DVD in Fullscreen & Widescreen and on Blu–ray & Digital Copy in Widescreen.

Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)

C. – 185m.
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen (Original) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Re-Mastered).
A.K.A.: Anne Of Green Gables III

Writer – Dir.: Kevin Sullivan. Inspired From The Works Of L.M. Montgomery.
Starring: Megan Follows, Nicole Peters, Jonathan Crombie, Schuyler Grant, Patricia Hamilton.

Anne’s and Gilbert’s complicated married life during WWI. They want to return to Canada from NYC, NY, USA but everything appears to be working against them on that point. An interesting concoction of events using the Gables series characters. Only a master like Sullivan and a cast like this could make this work, and they all did! This complete the Kevin Sullivan Anne Trilogy with Megan Follows as Anne. Followed by a sequel: Anne Of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008).

Out Of Print on VHS. Available on DVD in Fullscreen & Widescreen and on Blu–ray & Digital Copy in Widescreen.

Anne Of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008)

C – 144m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
Characters By: L.M. Montgomery
Writer – Pro. – Dir.: Kevin Sullivan
Starring: Barbara Hershey, Rachel Blanchard, Shirley MacLaine, Hanna Endicott–Douglas, Natalie Radford, Ben Carlson, Vivien Endicott Douglas, May Walker, Jim Chad, Colleen Dewhurst and Ian Matheson.

Anne still hurting from the recent loss of her husband in her middle age returns to Green Gables to write a play and discovers letters that rewrite her life story. This is a far cry from the Green Gables that everyone knew and loved from 1985, however this reviewer will argue that this is not the turkey that other reviewers have made it out to be. Pacing is slow, sets are a tad fake looking and there are a few instances of miscasting but it one can look past those flaws this is well done. If John Cassavetes had lived past age 59 and had be introduced to the L.M. Montgomery novels and stories, I am fairly certain this would have been the film version he would have made. To that end what Kevin Sullivan was able to pull off here is on par with the above average work of John Cassavetes in the director’s chair. The aforementioned hampering elements aside, the cinematography is wonderful as are a fair amount of the performances, not the least of which was MacLaine, and the back and forth story that add up to the complete tale, tying up some loose threads from the other films, this one is a nice final chapter in the Green Gables saga. Sadly underrated by others, as, sadly, is most of John Cassavetes’ directorial work. Though I hasten to emphasize this IS NOT actually a Cassavetes film.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.