Skip to content
bettercap

Anne Of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts

The 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green Gables , produced and directed by Kevin Sullivan, is the most celebrated film version of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic 1908 novel

. Originally aired as a two-part miniseries on CBC in December 1985, it remains the most-watched television program in Canadian history. Cast and Production

The miniseries is defined by its iconic casting and lush production values: Megan Follows (Anne Shirley):

Follows won the role out of 3,000 girls for her ability to portray Anne’s fiery temper and vulnerability. Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla Cuthbert):

Initially advised against the role, Dewhurst provided a performance that humanized the stern Marilla. Richard Farnsworth (Matthew Cuthbert):

His portrayal of the shy, kind-hearted brother is widely regarded as a definitive performance. Jonathan Crombie (Gilbert Blythe):

Cast after being spotted in a high school play, Crombie’s Gilbert became a legendary "first crush" for a generation of viewers. Visual Style: Prince Edward Island

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: Anne of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts

The 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green Gables , produced by Kevin Sullivan

for the CBC, is widely regarded as the definitive on-screen portrayal of L.M. Montgomery’s classic 1908 novel. This two-part miniseries originally aired on December 1 and 2, 1985, and remains the highest-rated drama program in Canadian history. Core Narrative The story follows Anne Shirley

(Megan Follows), a talkative and fiercely imaginative 13-year-old orphan mistakenly sent to the elderly siblings on Prince Edward Island. (Colleen Dewhurst) and

(Richard Farnsworth) had requested a boy to help with farm work at Green Gables

, but they are quickly won over by Anne's vibrant spirit and "kindred" nature. The miniseries is split into two major segments:

The 1985 Anne of Green Gables miniseries is widely considered the definitive adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s classic novel. Critics and fans alike praise it for capturing the "spirit" of the book through a combination of perfect casting, lush cinematography, and emotional depth. Key Features

Main Performance: Megan Follows is often called the "only Anne." She portrays the character's change from an 11-year-old to a poised young woman. The 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green

Supporting Actors: Richard Farnsworth (Matthew) and Colleen Dewhurst (Marilla) are praised for their performances.

Visual and Emotional Appeal: The production, filmed in Ontario and Prince Edward Island, is known for its scenery and costumes. Awards: The series won an Emmy Award and 10 Gemini Awards. Reviewer Opinions

Anne of Green Gables (TV Mini Series 1985) 8.6 | Drama, Family

Here is the complete, detailed breakdown of the 1985 television mini-series Anne of Green Gables, originally broadcast in two parts.

The Unforgettable Magic of Anne of Green Gables (1985): Why the Two-Part Miniseries Remains the Definitive Adaptation

For millions of fans around the world, the name “Anne Shirley” conjures a very specific image: a young girl with a red braid, a faded straw hat with a black velvet ribbon, wide grey-green eyes, and a mouth that never seems to stop moving. That image belongs almost exclusively to Canadian actress Megan Follows, who brought Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved redhead to life in the 1985 television miniseries, Anne of Green Gables.

Split into two distinct parts, this Kevin Sullivan production was not just a television event; it was a cultural phenomenon. Over three decades later, it remains the gold standard for literary adaptations. In an age of CGI spectacle and rapid-fire editing, the gentle, pastoral beauty of the 1985 Anne of Green Gables—with its lush Prince Edward Island scenery, its aching emotional honesty, and its perfect casting—has only grown more precious.

Here is a deep dive into the history, the narrative structure, the casting genius, and the enduring legacy of Anne of Green Gables (1985 - 2 Parts). The Unforgettable Magic of Anne of Green Gables

7. Legacy and Cultural Impact

  • Sequel: The success directly led to two sequels: Anne of Avonlea (1987, also known as Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel) and the less-well-received Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000).
  • Tourism Boom: The miniseries reignited international tourism to Prince Edward Island. Green Gables National Historic Site saw a 400% increase in visitors after the broadcast.
  • Definitive Adaptation: For millions worldwide, Megan Follows is Anne. The film remains a staple of family television, frequently rebroadcast and now available on streaming platforms (Gazebo TV, Amazon Prime, and often CBC Gem in Canada).
  • Influence on Future Adaptations: Every subsequent adaptation (including the 2016 Anne with an E) has been compared—usually unfavorably—to the 1985 version.

Rediscovering a Masterpiece: Why “Anne of Green Gables – 1985 – 2 Parts” Remains the Definitive Adaptation

For millions of fans around the world, the name "Anne Shirley" conjures not just the fiery-haired heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved novels, but a specific, iconic image: Megan Follows in a straw hat with puffed sleeves, racing across a backdrop of Prince Edward Island wildflowers. Nearly four decades after its initial broadcast, the television event formally known as Anne of Green Gables – 1985 – 2 Parts (often marketed as Anne of Green Gables: Part One and Part Two) remains the gold standard for literary adaptations.

But what was it about this specific 1985 production—split into two distinct, sprawling parts—that captured hearts so completely? Why does this version, rather than the many that came before or after, still hold the title of "definitive"?

This article dives deep into the production, the narrative structure of the two parts, the casting genius, and the enduring legacy of the 1985 miniseries.

How to Watch the 1985 Miniseries Today

For those searching for the Anne of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts complete version, be careful. Many streaming services and DVD releases have cut the two parts into a single movie, or worse, cropped the original 4:3 aspect ratio to widescreen, clipping faces out of the frame.

The best ways to watch it in its original glory:

  • Gazebo TV / Sullivan Entertainment: The official distributor offers a beautifully restored "Remastered Edition" that keeps the two-part structure with an overture and intermission.
  • DVD/Blu-ray: Look for the "2-Disc Collector’s Edition." Avoid any single-disc versions.
  • Streaming: Platforms like Amazon Prime (with a Gazebo TV subscription) and occasionally PBS Passport offer the original two-part broadcast, complete with the original credits music by Hagood Hardy.

Main Cast

| Character | Actor | |-----------|-------| | Anne Shirley | Megan Follows | | Marilla Cuthbert | Colleen Dewhurst | | Matthew Cuthbert | Richard Farnsworth | | Gilbert Blythe | Jonathan Crombie | | Diana Barry | Schuyler Grant | | Rachel Lynde | Patricia Hamilton | | Josie Pye | Jennifer Inch | | Mr. Phillips | Robert Collins | | Aunt Josephine Barry | Dawn Greenhalgh | | Mrs. Barry | Rosemary Dunsmore | | Mrs. Hammond (flashback) | Anne Gibson | | Station Master | James O’Regan |

5. Critical and Audience Reception

  • Critical Response: Overwhelmingly positive. Critics praised the fidelity to the novel, the lush cinematography (Hagen Biesler), the evocative score (Hagood Hardy), and the casting.
  • Awards: Won the CableACE Award for Best Dramatic or Theatrical Special; won the Gemini Award (Canada’s equivalent of the Emmy) for Best Dramatic Miniseries. Megan Follows won a Gemini for Best Actress.
  • Ratings: A massive success. In Canada, the broadcast captured over 5 million viewers (a third of the population at the time). In the US, it became one of the highest-rated programs on PBS’s WonderWorks, introducing Anne to a new generation of American children.

Key Scenes That Define Part One

  • The Train Station: The first time we see Megan Follows as Anne is a masterclass in acting. Her wide eyes, her chapped lips moving a mile a minute, and the desperate plea, "But if you won’t take me back, what will I do?" are heartbreaking. This scene establishes the central conflict: imagination vs. stark reality.
  • The Slate Incident: The iconic "Carrots" insult hurled by Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie) leads to the fateful slate breaking over his head. In the 1985 version, the chemistry between Follows and Crombie is instantaneous—a perfect mix of loathing and latent attraction.
  • The Raspberry Cordial: In one of the most purely comedic sequences of Part One, Anne accidentally gets her friend Diana Barry drunk on what she thought was raspberry cordial (but was actually currant wine). The frantic apologies, the horrified Marilla, and Anne’s subsequent banishment from Diana’s house are played for both laughs and pathos.
  • The Puffed Sleeves: Perhaps the most emotionally resonant moment in Part One is not a tragedy, but a triumph. When Matthew secretly buys Anne the dress with puffed sleeves he knows she has always wanted, the silent actor Richard Farnsworth communicates more with a crooked smile and a brown paper parcel than a page of dialogue could. For a child who has never owned anything beautiful, that dress is freedom.

Part One ends on a high note. Anne wins the Avery scholarship, earning her way to college. But she stays home to care for Marilla after Matthew dies of a heart attack. The final shot is not despair, but quiet resolve. It is a complete arc: an orphan becoming a beloved daughter.