"Anne of Green Gables" (1972) (mini)TV mini-series

Director:

Joan Craft

Writers:

Julia Jones (adaptation)
Lucy Maud Montgomery (novel)

Release Date:

20 February 1972 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot Keywords:

Canada | Childhood | Girl | Children | Young Girl

Cast

Kim Braden	...	Anne Shirley
Barbara Hamilton	...	Marilla Cuthbert
Christopher Blake	...	Gilbert Blythe
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Avis Bunnage	...	Rachel Lynde
Jan Francis	...	Diana Barry
Robin Halstead	...	Gilbert Blythe
Elliott Sullivan	...	Matthew Cuthbert

Runtime:

280 min (5 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

This serial is considered lost.

I loved this

I absolutely cannot believe this masterpiece is lost! I remember it so clearly and often wondered if it was going to be repeated... apparently not, worst luck.

For me this is the definitive version, infinitely superior to the Canadian version of (many) years later. Matthew's quiet shyness, Mrs Lynde's nosiness, Marilla's brusqueness.. and Anne... portrayed by Kim Braden with all the dreamy luminosity so evident in the books, and with none of the relentless cheesiness that often comes across in English adaptations of New World literature of this period. Kim managed to be perfectly believable as a girl far younger than herself, and inhabited Anne in a way no other actress could have done. It was easy to believe in her winning charisma and unusual beauty. This adaptation marked a seminal moment in my childhood, and every episode was a filled with joy and sorrow and often cringing embarrassment as the audience learned, along with Anne, the consequences of Pride, Vanity, Anger, Greed, Covetousness etc. etc. gently teaching as we laughed and cried along with our flawed, but wonderful heroine.

Can it REALLY be lost?

Please, someone in TV land, check your shed, your office cabinet, the attic.... Rediscover this shining and glorious work, I beg you!