Anne Of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts ((free)) Today

Richard Farnsworth’s subtle, poignant performance as the shy Matthew and Colleen Dewhurst’s "simple, no-nonsense decency" as Marilla provided the emotional core of the series.

Other notable actors in the cast include Jackie Burroughs as the interfering Mrs. Amelia Evans, Charmion King as Aunt Josephine Barry, and Rosemary Radcliffe as Mrs. Elizabeth Barry.

Where Part One was about survival and finding a home, Part Two is about identity, ambition, and love.

Megan Follows was not the immediate choice. She auditioned multiple times. Sullivan initially worried she was too old at age 16 to play an 11-year-old. However, her screen test displayed an unmatched emotional range, fierce intelligence, and the precise blend of vulnerability and imagination required for Anne. Her performance became legendary. Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla Cuthbert

For millions around the world, the name “Anne Shirley” does not conjure the black-and-white typeface of L.M. Montgomery’s 1908 novel, but the fiery red braids, wide grey eyes, and boundless chatter of a Canadian television miniseries. Released in 1985 and split into two feature-length parts, Anne of Green Gables is more than a faithful adaptation—it is a cultural touchstone. Nearly forty years later, the sweeping score, the pastoral landscapes of Prince Edward Island, and the iconic performance of Megan Follows remain the benchmark by which all other versions are judged. Anne of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts

and in Ontario, the film used an Edwardian-era setting to create a "softer, brighter" visual feel. Part 1: The Arrival The first part covers Anne’s arrival at Green Gables and her struggle to belong:

The introduction of Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie) and the famous "carrots" incident that kicks off their enduring rivalry.

Director and writer Kevin Sullivan, along with co-writer Joe Wiesenfeld, solved this by focusing on structural pacing. They divided the adaptation into a distinct two-part miniseries:

The success of the 1985 production is largely attributed to its impeccable cast. Megan Follows beat out thousands of actresses to land the role of Anne Shirley. Her performance is a masterclass in range, capturing Anne’s rapid shifts from "depths of despair" to "radiant joy." Elizabeth Barry

Kevin Sullivan insisted on a cinematic look rather than a standard television aesthetic. The golden-hued cinematography by Rene Ohashi made Prince Edward Island look like an impressionist painting. Complementing the visuals was Hagood Hardy’s sweeping, nostalgic musical score, which instantly evokes the rolling hills and ocean breezes of the Canadian Maritimes. The Cultural Legacy

Part II brought the setting of the Harvest Exhibition and the prestigious Avery Scholarship. Anne studied by candlelight, her dreams expanding beyond the borders of Avonlea to a university in Nova Scotia. We watched her grow from a dramatic child into a composed young woman.

The emotional beats of Part Two are devastating:

Anne gives up her scholarship to stay at Green Gables and support a struggling Marilla. She auditioned multiple times

Cinematographer René Ohashi utilized warm, golden lighting and soft filters to give the film a nostalgic, storybook quality. Combined with Hagood Hardy’s iconic, sweeping orchestral score, the miniseries created an immersive sensory experience. The music, featuring bright woodwinds and romantic strings, became synonymous with the Canadian landscape itself. Why the 1985 Version Remains Supreme

The first part of the miniseries introduces us to the idyllic, quiet world of Avonlea, where elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert (played by Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth) decide to adopt a boy to help with their farm, Green Gables. Instead, due to a mix-up, they receive Anne Shirley, a spirited, imaginative, and talkative 11-year-old girl with a fiery temper and an even fierier red hair. Key Moments & Themes:

The success of the two-part miniseries spawned a highly successful sequel in 1987 ( Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel , also known as Anne of Avonlea ), a long-running spin-off series ( Road to Avonlea ), and turned Prince Edward Island into a global tourism hotspot, particularly for fans from Japan, where the novel is a staple of the school curriculum.