Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (TV 2008)

Anne, now a middle-aged woman, is troubled by recent events in her life. Her husband, Gilbert, has been killed overseas as a medical doctor during World War II. Her two daughters are ... See full summary »

Director:

Kevin Sullivan

Writers:

Lucy Maud Montgomery (characters), Kevin Sullivan

Stars:

Barbara Hershey, Rachel Blanchard, Shirley MacLaine

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Barbara Hershey	...	Older Anne Shirley
Rachel Blanchard	...	Louisa Thomas
Shirley MacLaine	...	Amelia Thomas
Ron Lea	...	Gene
Bernard Behrens	...	Gabriel
Hannah Endicott-Douglas	...	Young Anne Shirley
Natalie Radford	...	Bertha
Ben Carlson	...	Walter Shirley
Joan Gregson	...	Hepzibah Leach
Kyra Harper	...	Nellie Parkhurst
Mike Beaver	...	Doctor Thomas
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marc Bendavid	...	Dominic Blythe
Chris Benson	...	Foreman
Robert Bockstael	...	Principal
Jackie Brown	...	Mary

Storyline

Anne, now a middle-aged woman, is troubled by recent events in her life. Her husband, Gilbert, has been killed overseas as a medical doctor during World War II. Her two daughters are pre-occupied with their own young families and her adopted son Dominic has yet to return from the war. When a long-hidden secret is discovered under the floorboards at Green Gables, Anne retreats into her memories to relive her troubled early years prior to arriving as an orphan at Green Gables and being adopted by the Cuthberts. Still haunted by her early childhood, the impact of this difficult period has a far-reaching effect on this older woman, once she discovers the truth about her real parents. She begins a delicate search for her birth father. It is a journey through a past fraught with danger, uncertainty, heartache and joy. In the parade of humanity Anne encounters she also faces the root of her desire to find true "kindred spirits", an inspired imagination and the impetus to use her talents as a...

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Plot Keywords:

anne shirley | place name in title | color in title | character name in title

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Details

Official Sites:

CTV Site Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 2008 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Ana de las Tejas Verdes: un nuevo comienzo

Filming Locations:

Dundas, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anne Prequel Productions, Sullivan Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min 144 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ben Carlson who plays Walter Shirley is the real life son of actress Patricia Hamilton, who plays Rachel Lynde.

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Quotes

Anne Shirley: I wonder if trees sleep. And if they do, if they dream.

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Connections

Follows Anne of Avonlea (1987)

User Reviews

A wonderful job, at least in the flashbacks

I enjoyed the scenes from Anne's childhood more than the 1945 scenes. I didn't like going back and forth.

Hannah Endicott-Douglas did a fine job for the most part, making young Anne such a delight, though at times she could be overly enthusiastic and I occasionally found myself agreeing with Violetta about how annoying she was. But that didn't last. Such an intelligent child, and so often positive despite what she had been through.

Rachel Blanchard, who I know mostly from her perky "Clueless" character, started out so stoic and proper, but turned warm and loving later on.

Shirley Maclaine did her usual good job--not necessarily likable at first, but over time it appears Anne has a good influence on most of those she comes in contact with.

Kyra Harper was a standout as the woman living at an abandoned mill who helped Anne from time to time. She was one of the few who really showed concern, when Anne was seeing mostly hostility from those taking care of her.

Bernhard Behrens also did a good job as a man who in today's society would be seen as eccentric. Back then, he was someone who needed to be kept locked away from society. and yet Anne saw value in him.

As for the 1945 scenes, I suppose they were pleasant enough. Nothing to write home about. Barbara Hershey has a nice smile and pretty hair, but she never quite made me like her. I'm not clear on who the man in her life was, but he added a lot. The efforts to make a play about her life a success didn't interest me too much.

Anne's search for details of her past was hard to watch, but at least some of her efforts had good results. The movie ended happily for me, even if not everything could be resolved.

This is a good family film, though some of the adversity Anne has to experience may not be appropriate for the youngest children. Anyone who can handle Dickens is probably ready to see this.

My primary complaints about this movie were based on the fact that, although Anne loved Green Gables, we never got to see why. We saw only her life after World War II and her difficult childhood. Later I found out this was a sequel. I have no experience with Anne of Green Gables, so I don't fully understand the hostility over this movie.

But if you're new to the character, this may be a good introduction.