Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning | |
---|---|
Written by | Kevin Sullivan |
Directed by | Kevin Sullivan |
Starring | Hannah Endicott-Douglas Barbara Hershey Shirley MacLaine Rachel Blanchard |
Music by | Peter Breiner |
Country of origin | Canada |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Kevin Sullivan Trudy Grant |
Cinematography | Yuri Yakubiw |
Editor(s) | Gordon McClellan |
Running time | 144 minutes (approx.) |
Production company(s) | Sullivan Entertainment |
Release | |
Original network | CTV |
Original release | December 14, 2008 |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story |
Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning is a 2008 Canadian television miniseries, the fourth and final film in Sullivan Entertainment's Anne of Green Gables series.[1] It was released in 2008 on CTV. Before the broadcast, CTV had recently acquired the rights to the entire Anne catalogue including the 1985 miniseries.[2]
The film stars 14-year-old Hannah Endicott-Douglas as the child and Barbara Hershey as the adult Anne Shirley. Shirley MacLaine plays matriarch Amelia Thomas in the film. Kevin Sullivan wrote a completely new screenplay for the three-hour movie based on Montgomery's characters (serving as a prequel to his early 3 miniseries movies broadcast originally on CBC) and not directly from her books.[2] The story follows Anne's life before she arrives at Green Gables.
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. (This did not happen in the books.) Her two daughters are preoccupied 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.
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' and an imagination to use her talents as a writer to inspire others.
The telefilm premiered on Sunday December 14, 2008 on CTV; it was broadcast in high definition.[3] In the United States, it has aired on various PBS stations since November 2010.[4][5][6][7] The film has a running time of 138 minutes. It was released on DVD on May 5, 2009 by Sullivan Entertainment.[1][8] The company also published a soundtrack, first available for download on January 8, 2009 and then on CD on June 16, 2009.[9][10][11]
Prior to the film's debut, Key Porter Books published a novelization of the film by Kevin Sullivan in October 2008.[12][13]
All of the movie's actual location photography was shot in various places around the Toronto, Ontario area, using existing houses, streetscapes and natural environments. Period mansions were used as the backdrop for the Thomas residences, and an historic Quaker Boys School converted into the Bolingbroke Poorhouse for the film.
When they could not film on location, the production crew and special effects team employed the technology of the green screen and CGI to digitally create the background, or specific details that location filming could not produce.
Of the major cast members from the original trilogy of films, only Patricia Hamilton reprises her original character in the fourth film, with Hershey taking over the role from Megan Follows though Follows appears as Anne towards the beginning of the film in archive footage. Archive footage is used to allow Colleen Dewhurst, who had appeared in the first two miniseries and Road to Avonlea, and who had died in 1991, to appear in a flashback cameo. For the role of young Anne, Sullivan held a cross-Canada open casting call in July 2007, including submissions from YouTube, before Hannah Endicott-Douglas landed the part.[16]
In its debut on CTV, the film was watched by 1,042,000 viewers, a number that was seen as low compared to Sullivan's earlier Anne productions.[17]
The film was not well received by critics or fans. The Globe and Mail's Kate Taylor said the film, 'never justifies its presumption in inventing a new creation story for a Canadian literary icon.'[18] Bill Brioux felt that 'maybe Anne just doesn't age all that well. Maybe she is supposed to stay in freckles and pigtails, locked in that perfect P.E.I. prism Montgomery authored and Sullivan so artfully adapted when they both were in their 20s.'[19]
“Anne of Green Gables” returns for its final installment of the planned trilogy with “Fire and Dew,” in which Canada’s famed literary orphan starts taking the first steps into adulthood. Having fully embedded herself with the Cuthberts at Green Gables, Anne Shirley (Ella Ballentine) leaves home to seek out better opportunities and higher learning in Charlottetown.
The adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel “Anne of Green Gables” was split into three chunks, which means the first movie was buoyed by Anne’s discovery of a new life filled with wonders, while the second followed her hilarious scrapes as she truly became part of the Avonlea community. Thus, the final movie carries the burden of concluding the story. That is reflected in how the energy feels dialed down, but it is also about Anne being more of an adult, and thus the fun of her mishaps and outlandish imagination are missing.
That being said, the movie moves at a breakneck speed to cover Anne from the ages of 14 to 16. One minute she’s in a pinafore dress waxing poetic about melodramatic romance, and the next she’s told to put aside childish things in order to study for entrance to Queen’s Academy, where she’ll spend a year earning a teaching license. This makes for a bizarre mishmash of events that slingshots between packed montages of studying (which is just as exciting as it sounds) to slower, time-dilated moments that are supposed to reveal Anne’s burgeoning maturity.
Compared to Netflix’s non-canonical and darker “Anne With an E,” “Fire and Dew” is lightweight in its progressive themes. Nevertheless, its heroine has made her mark on Avonlea, and even her guardians Matthew (Martin Sheen) and Marilla (Sara Botsford) have come around to understanding the power of girls, their girl in particular, especially when it comes to scholarship.
Ella Ballentine and Drew Haytaoglu, “Anne of Green Gables”
Ballentine’s charisma is still the strongest part of the series, which is filled with casting misfires for her fellow students and sadly, academic rival and romantic interest Gilbert Blythe (Drew Haytaoglu). The two continue to lack chemistry, and the doesn’t help the overall energy of this movie. Martin Sheen continues to be more Martin Sheen than Matthew, but he has brought a different sort of folksy charm to the role, while Botsford is woefully underutilized.
Ballentine was also of an age with Anne while shooting, and this makes the contrast between her apparent youthfulness and the task that Anne has set herself so much greater. Seen through modern eyes, these are children playing at adulthood. Their adult-styled clothes, attempts at more mature hairstyles, and talk of jobs feel off, and yet, this was the reality during the Edwardian period. Given that we are used to 16-year-olds being led around by their hormones and aspiring to a gig at the mall, the comparison is sobering.
Being career-oriented isn’t the only grownup issue in the movie, but even if you haven’t read the book, it’s easy to guess what will happen, thanks to some heavy-handed foreshadowing. This will serve to test Anne’s usual cheer, but sadly, the heartbreak doesn’t feel entirely earned. This last movie just isn’t enough by itself. It would’ve been better if these three films had played as a miniseries over three weeks rather than over three years. We need that continuity in relationships between Anne and Gilbert, Anne and Diana (Julia Lalonde), and more to really understand her reactions this time around.
The narrative disconnect, the strange overstuffing of episodic events, and the lack of development for the secondary characters are problems that all three films have shared. And while they make the viewing less powerful than it could be, there’s still a core “Anne of Green Gables”-ness to the trilogy that can’t be denied. The messages remain the same — heartwarming and uplifting — and the gorgeous environment and Ballentine’s portrayal are up to the task of carrying this tale from a simpler, purer time.
“Fire and Dew” gets an emotional coda, one that exists in the novel, that doesn’t feel false in the moment. And yet, certain story elements have been built up that make this Anne’s story feel far from finished. Of course, Montgomery fans know that she had written several more volumes about Anne, but so far, there hasn’t been any word if Breakthrough Entertainment will also be adapting “Anne of Avonlea,” the next book in the series. In the meantime, there’s this last movie and Netflix’s “Anne With an E,” which is already producing its third season, for our “Anne” fix.
“Anne of Green Gables: Fire and Dew” premieres Sunday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET. It is also available now for purchase on DVD or digitally on iTunes or Amazon.
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
Author | Lucy Maud Montgomery |
---|---|
Illustrator | M. A. and W. A. J. Claus |
Country | Written and set in Canada, published in the United States[1][2] |
Language | English |
Series | Anne of Green Gables |
Subject | Little orphan girl |
Genre | Novel |
Set in | Prince Edward Island, 1876–81 |
Published | June 1908 |
Publisher | L.C. Page & Co.[3] |
Followed by | Anne of Avonlea |
Text | Anne of Green Gables at Wikisource |
Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-twentieth century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl, who is mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings; Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, originally intending to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.
Since its publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into at least 36 languages. Montgomery wrote numerous sequels, and since her death, another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world.[4]
The book has been adapted as films, made-for-television movies, and animated and live-action television series. Musicals and plays have also been created, with productions annually in Europe, and Japan.[5][6][7]
In writing the novel, Montgomery was inspired by notes she had made as a young girl about a couple who were mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of the boy they had requested, yet decided to keep her. She drew upon her own childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island, Canada. Montgomery used a photograph of Evelyn Nesbit, which she had clipped from New York's Metropolitan Magazine and put on the wall of her bedroom, as the model for the face of Anne Shirley and a reminder of her 'youthful idealism and spirituality.'[8]
Montgomery was inspired by the 'formula Ann' orphan stories (called such because they followed such a predictable formula) which were popular at the time and distinguished her character by spelling her name with an extra 'e'.[9][10] She based other characters, such as Gilbert Blythe, in part on people she knew. She said she wrote the novel in the twilight of the day, while sitting at her window and overlooking the fields of Cavendish.[11]
Anne Shirley, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London, Prince Edward Island),[12][13] is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, after a childhood spent in strangers' homes and orphanages. Marilla and Matthew had originally decided to adopt a boy from the orphanage to help Matthew run their farm at Green Gables, which is set in the fictional town of Avonlea (based on Cavendish, Prince Edward Island). Through a misunderstanding, the orphanage sends Anne instead.
Anne is fanciful, imaginative, eager to please, and dramatic. However, she is defensive about her appearance, despising her red hair and pale, thin frame, but liking her nose. She is talkative, especially when it comes to describing her fantasies and dreams. At first, stern Marilla says Anne must return to the orphanage, but after much observation and consideration, along with kind, quiet Matthew's encouragement, Marilla decides to let her stay.
Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her imagination and talkativeness soon brighten up Green Gables.
The book recounts Anne's struggles and joys in settling in to Green Gables (the first real home she's ever known): the country school where she quickly excels in her studies; her friendship with Diana Barry, the girl living next door (her best or 'bosom friend' as Anne fondly calls her); her budding literary ambitions; and her rivalry with her classmate Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For that, he earns her instant hatred, although he apologizes several times. Although, as time passes, Anne realizes she no longer hates Gilbert, her pride and stubbornness keep her from speaking to him.
The book also follows Anne's adventures in Avonlea. Episodes include play-time with her friends Diana, calm, placid Jane Andrews, and beautiful, boy-crazy Ruby Gillis. She has run-ins with the unpleasant Pye sisters, Gertie and Josie, and frequent domestic 'scrapes' such as dyeing her hair green while intending to dye it black, and accidentally getting Diana drunk by giving her what she thinks is raspberrycordial but which turns out to be currant wine.
At sixteen, Anne goes to Queen's Academy to earn a teaching license, along with Gilbert, Ruby, Josie, Jane, and several other students, excluding Diana, much to Anne's dismay. She obtains her license in one year instead of the usual two and wins the Avery Scholarship awarded to the top student in English. This scholarship would allow her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at the fictional Redmond College (based on the real Dalhousie University) on the mainland in Nova Scotia.
Near the end of the book, however, tragedy strikes when Matthew dies of a heart attack after learning that all of his and Marilla's money has been lost in a bank failure. Out of devotion to Marilla and Green Gables, Anne gives up the scholarship to stay at home and help Marilla, whose eyesight is failing. She plans to teach at the Carmody school, the nearest school available, and return to Green Gables on weekends. In an act of friendship, Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching position at the Avonlea School to work at the White Sands School instead, knowing that Anne wants to stay close to Marilla after Matthew's death. After this kind act, Anne and Gilbert's friendship is cemented, and Anne looks forward to what life will bring next.
Based on the popularity of her first book, Montgomery wrote a series of sequels to continue the story of her heroine Anne Shirley. They are listed chronologically below, by Anne's age in each of the novels.
№ | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age | Timeline year |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Anne of Green Gables | 1908 | 11–16 | 1876–1881 |
2 | Anne of Avonlea | 1909 | 16–18 | 1881–1883 |
3 | Anne of the Island | 1915 | 18–22 | 1883–1887 |
4 | Anne of Windy Poplars (Canada and USA) Anne of Windy Willows (UK and Australia) | 1936 | 22–25 | 1887–1890 |
5 | Anne's House of Dreams | 1917 | 25–27 | 1890–1892 |
6 | Anne of Ingleside | 1939 | 34–40 | 1899–1905 |
The following books focus on Anne's children, or on other family friends. Anne appears in these volumes, but plays a lesser part. | ||||
№ | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age | Timeline year |
7 | Rainbow Valley | 1919 | 41–43 | 1906–1908 |
8 | Rilla of Ingleside | 1921 | 49–53 | 1914–1918 |
9 | The Blythes Are Quoted | 2009 | 40–75 | 1905–1940 |
Anne Shirley features in one story (and is referenced in other stories) in each of the following collections: | ||||
№ | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age | Timeline year |
-- | Chronicles of Avonlea | 1912 | approx. 20 | 1885 |
-- | Further Chronicles of Avonlea | 1920 | approx. 20 | 1885 |
The prequel, Before Green Gables (2008), was written by Budge Wilson with authorization of heirs of L. M. Montgomery.
The province and tourist facilities have highlighted the local connections to the internationally popular novels. Anne of Green Gables has been translated into 36 languages.[14][15]'Tourism by Anne fans is an important part of the Island economy'.[16] Merchants offer items based on the novels.
The Green Gables farmhouse is located in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. Many tourist attractions on Prince Edward Island have been developed based on the fictional Anne, and provincial licence plates once bore her image.[17] Balsam Hollow, the forest that inspired the Haunted Woods and Campbell Pond, the body of water which inspired The Lake of Shining Waters, both described in the book, are located in the vicinity.[18] In addition, the Confederation Centre of the Arts has featured the wildly successful Anne of Green Gables musical on its mainstage every summer for over five decades.[19] The Anne of Green Gables Museum is located in Park Corner, PEI, in a home that inspired L.M. Montgomery.[20]
The novel has been very popular in Japan, where it is known as Red-haired Anne,[21][22] and where it has been included in the national school curriculum since 1952. 'Anne' is revered as 'an icon' in Japan, especially since 1979 when this story was broadcast as anime, Anne of Green Gables. Japanese couples travel to Prince Edward Island to have civil wedding ceremonies on the grounds of the Green Gables farm. Some Japanese girls arrive as tourists with red-dyed hair styled in pigtails, to look like Anne.[23] In 2014, Asadora 'Hanako to Anne' (Hanako Muraoka is the first translator in Japan) was broadcast and Anne became popular among old and young alike.
A replica of the Green Gables house in Cavendish is located in the theme park Canadian World in Ashibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. The park was a less expensive alternative for Japanese tourists instead of traveling to P.E.I. The park hosted performances featuring actresses playing Anne and Diana. The theme park is open during the summer season with free admission, though there are no longer staff or interpreters.[24]
The Avonlea theme park near Cavendish and the Cavendish Figurines shop have trappings so that tourists may dress like the book's characters for photos.[25] Souvenir shops throughout Prince Edward Island offer numerous foods and products based on details of the 'Anne Shirley' novels. Straw hats for girls with sewn-in red braids are common, as are bottles of raspberry cordial soda.[26] In the first book, Lucy Maud Montgomery established the cordial soda as the favorite beverage of Anne, who declares: 'I just love bright red drinks!'
As one of the most familiar characters in Canadian literature, Anne of Green Gables has been parodied by several Canadian comedy troupes, including CODCO (Anne of Green Gut) and The Frantics (Fran of the Fundy).
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anne of Green Gables. |
Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Anne of Green Gables |