Movie Reviews for Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Avonlea

	List Price: ~~$19.98~~ Our Price: $9.26 You Save: $10.72 (54%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.90 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases

Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

Movie Reviews of Anne of Avonlea

Movie Review: Close to the Books
Summary: 3 Stars

I grew up with the Anne of Green Gables books and treasured them. I still have my original set from 1970's. I don't remember seeing this on the BBC series back in 1975--Don't know how I missed it. Anyway, I was thrilled that this was available on DVD. While I liked Kevin Sullivan's production of Anne of Green Gables, I was disappointed that they didn't stay true to the books. This Anne of Avonlea is a bit of both Avonlea and Anne of the Island. It brought back all of the fond memories I had of those books. Kevin Sullivan's adaption of the book actually takes us to Anne of Windy Populars (the 4th in the series)with a tiny bit from the Avonlea book. I gave this three stars because the acting is really poor. I couldn't stand the Marilla character, Barbara Hamilton! She had no expression whatsoever! Colleen Dewhurst was the perfect Marilla in Sullivan's version. I absolutely loved her. However, I did like the Kim Braden who played Anne in this play better. She wasn't so overly dramatic as Megan Follows. I just wish they would come out with an Anne of Avonlea that would stick closely to the book with good acting!!! Remake this version with better actors, then we would have a winner! Kevin Sullivan would have been smarter to focus more on Anne of Avonlea and then combined Anne of the Island with Anne of Windy Populars. He would have made more money as many of us fans of the Anne of Green Gables would have bought all three. As it is, his third Anne was a huge flop!!! It was from none of the books! I can't figure out why he did that! If you are a fan of the Anne of Green Gables books, aware that the acting is poor, I would recommend this version because it is much like the books that you loved.

Movie Review: sex kitten
Summary: 3 Stars

Though a good actress, Kim Braden didn't fit the insecure about her looks but is smart Anne girl. She looked like a sex kitten and not the stubborn yet spirited Anne Shirley. The music is rather blah as many BBC period movies are, though I enjoy many of them, most of the time their music is forgettable like this Anne Shirley version. I also enjoyed the scenery in the Sullivan version because they were shot on location unlike this BBC version. Yes, this is very true to the book and it's no wonder the Anne fanatics or should I say the UK residence prefer this; however, I didn't feel the kindred spirit of Anne whereas the Sullivan version you can feel love, joy, growing pains that Anne went through. There was a sense of connection with the PBS version as if they've invited you to their home. The BBC version felt aloof and distant as if you're watching a stage play and when the show is over the memory is gone. The PBS, why its been declared a classic and a favorite is because it has endured.

Movie Review: funny accents, but good mini-series
Summary: 3 Stars

When I bought this DVD, I was surprised to find it was a British production with mostly British actors. The accents sounded quite strange, probably because they were trying to sound Canadian, but not really succeeding. The first two episodes were fairly dull and I was starting to regret buying this. However, the next four episodes were much more enjoyable and so overall, it was worth buying. It was much more like the books than the 1987 version was, which I was pleased by. Although it was mostly filmed in a studio and looked like it was cheaply made, it is less noticeable the more you get into the story. The story ends rather abruptly, but most people who watch this will know what's going to happen to the characters anyway. Kim Braden seemed to grow into the role of Anne as the mini-series went along and I liked what she brought to the role.

Movie Review: Anne of Avonlea
Summary: 3 Stars

I loved the stories of Lucy M. Montgomery and was hoping for more from the BBC. I was emotionally disappointed in this version. Kim Braden was an adorable Anne but the screen play lacked emotion and substance where it was important. Anne and Gilbert scenes were short and flipant. You would never have known Gilbert and Anne had any feelings for each other by the scenes. I did like the inclusions of the real story line from Ms. Montgomerys books. They were true to the real story and that pleased me. The whole college years, the group gatherings of all the young people etc made the books come to life but then the rest of the story left you feeling unsatisfied and empty. The ending was the worst. I prefered the longer scene in the book and the other ending in the Megan Fallows version. It said more in silence than any writer could say.