The genius of the 1985 adaptation lies in its pacing. By splitting the narrative into two distinct parts, the filmmakers were able to honor the leisurely, episodic nature of Montgomery’s writing.
The film is celebrated for its lush, picturesque shots of Prince Edward Island, which brought the idyllic setting of Avonlea to life. Production Design: Anne of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts
In 1890s Prince Edward Island, aging siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy from an orphanage to help with their farm, Green Gables. Due to a miscommunication, they instead receive Anne Shirley, a talkative, red-haired, imaginative 11-year-old girl. Matthew is immediately charmed, but Marilla insists on sending her back. After a “trial period,” Marilla’s heart softens—especially after Anne apologizes for losing her temper with a neighbor, Rachel Lynde. Anne stays, begins school, and clashes with the arrogant but handsome Gilbert Blythe, who teases her “carrots” hair. She breaks her slate over his head and begins a long grudge. The first part culminates in Anne accidentally getting her friend Diana Barry drunk (confusing currant wine with raspberry cordial), dyeing her hair green, and finally reconciling with Gilbert after she saves Diana’s sister from croup. Part 1 ends with Anne earning a scholarship to Queen’s Academy—but then tragedy strikes: Matthew dies of a heart attack. Anne decides to stay at Green Gables to care for Marilla, giving up her dreams of college. Gilbert, having given up his own teaching post at Avonlea so Anne can teach nearby, reconciles with her. She calls him “friend.” The genius of the 1985 adaptation lies in its pacing
Part One covers Anne’s integration into the community. We witness the pivotal "broken slate" incident with Gilbert Blythe, the terrifying ordeal with the haunted woods, and the disastrous attempt to dye her hair. These moments are not played for simple slapstick; under Kevin Sullivan’s direction, they reveal Anne’s desperate desire to be loved and her tragic lack of self-confidence. The cinematography, lush with the greens of Prince Edward Island, creates a dreamlike quality that mirrors Anne’s romantic imagination. Production Design: In 1890s Prince Edward Island, aging
The success of the 2-part structure rests entirely on its casting.
: Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst both hated the Victorian undergarments so much that Follows reportedly burned hers in a bonfire after filming the sequel.
Starring Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, and Richard Farnsworth, Anne of Green Gables (1985) was a cultural phenomenon that reinvigorated interest in Canadian literature and set a gold standard for family broadcasting. Structured as a two-part event, the film allowed for a depth of storytelling that a standard theatrical runtime could never achieve. This article explores the legacy, the performances, and the structural brilliance of this timeless classic.