Matthew is immediately charmed, but Marilla is shocked and insists they must correct the mistake. The orphanage had sent Anne by error. For one night, Anne stays at Green Gables, and Marilla plans to explain the situation. However, Anne’s vivid imagination, passionate spirit, and heartbreaking orphan past soften both Cuthberts. After Anne proves herself helpful and after learning that another family won’t take her, Marilla decides to keep her.
Set in the lush landscapes of Prince Edward Island at the turn of the century, the story follows Anne Shirley, a fiercely imaginative and talkative orphan. When she is sent to live with elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, she discovers they were actually expecting a boy to help on their farm. What follows is a moving journey of belonging, as Anne transforms the lives of those around her through her infectious spirit and "kindred spirit" connections.
The production design mirrors this balance. The cinematography captures the lushness of Prince Edward Island—the "White Way of Delight" and the "Lake of Shining Waters"—but it also captures the claustrophobia of small-town life. The gossip at the general store, the rigid social hierarchies, and the financial precarity of farm life are all present. By grounding the fantasy in reality, the film earns its sentimental moments. anne green gables 1985
Decades later, Anne of Green Gables (1985) continues to be the version by which all other adaptations are measured. While modern retellings have explored darker themes, the 1985 version retains a magical, hopeful quality. It reminds us of the power of imagination, the beauty of a "bosom friend," and the idea that there is no place quite like home. For many, Megan Follows will always be the only Anne with an "e."
| 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 | | Ruby Gillis | Miranda de Pencier | | Mr. Phillips | Robert Collins | | Mrs. Barry | Charmion King | Matthew is immediately charmed, but Marilla is shocked
A Timeless Classic: Why "Anne of Green Gables" (1985) Remains a Beloved Adaptation
The success of the 1985 production is largely credited to the impeccable casting. Megan Follows beat out over 3,000 actresses to land the role of Anne Shirley. Her performance perfectly balanced Anne’s dramatic flair with a deep, soulful vulnerability. Opposite her, the late Colleen Dewhurst provided a stern yet tender Marilla, while Richard Farnsworth’s portrayal of the shy, gentle Matthew Cuthbert remains one of the most beloved performances in television history. When she is sent to live with elderly
It would have been easy to film Anne of Green Gables as a sugary confection—a pastoral fantasy of the turn of the century. But the 1985 adaptation succeeds because it refuses to ignore the sharp edges.
Anne struggles with her temper, vanity (especially about her red hair), and daydreaming. Key episodes: