Customer Reviews

Anne of Green Gables

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Before I purchased this set I spent some time on the Internet looking for any kind of review for this item, to see whether or not, since I already owned the individual remastered special editions, this was worth the upgrade.

But, there was nothing.

So I took the plunge (it helped that the Costco here in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, had the set on sale for $47.99 Canadian, cheaper then even the official site was selling it for) and now, here's what you need to know.

First off, the video presentation of the films is the exact same as the individual remastered special edition DVD from years back.

Meaning it's watchable, but not the best picture quality out there.

One of the reasons for this is that the first two mini series where filmed on 16mm film stock, thus creating a slightly grainy picture.

I had hoped that since the extras on the discs where transported onto the fifth disc, that the freed up space would have allowed for better compression, and thus, better picture quality, but that is not the case.

Okay, so lets list the pros and cons of this set:

Pros:

* All the discs are single sided (not double sided like the second and third mini series DVD's in the individual sets)
* There's a nice hour plus making of retrospective with Kevin Sullivan and some of the cast members
* A nice booklet with production notes and pictures, comes with the set
* The price is less than the collective price of purchasing the three mini series DVD's individually

Cons:

* The picture hasn't been improved
* Other than the retrospective documentary, a ten minute fluff piece on the author, and the missing Morilla's Death episode (which I have yet to watch, so I can't comment on it at the present) everything else is the same as the last incarnations of the DVD's

Of note, all of the extras from the previous DVD's have been carried over including Megan Follows screen test, and are all on the fifth disc.

So if you don't already own the individual special edition DVD's, then this set is the way to go, and if you already own the individual DVD's and want more extras, then this new set is worth the upgrade, otherwise this set can be skipped.

Hope this helps.

I can't fault this movie (or its sequel), they are simply fabulous and I've never come across anyone who doesn't love it. However Im far from impressed with the DVDs. I actually thought my copy must have been a copy of an original (didn't purchase through amazon), but from another person's comments I gather that I do have the original. Sound quality is only 2.0, no chapter searches (never seen a DVD without this), and the picture quality is about the same as TV. The DVDs are expensive and Im severely disappointed in the producers for not giving us a decent DVD. Have they no respect for this classic film?

I adore the story of Anne Shirley and was excited to get copies on DVD. My hope was to introduce these cherished stories to my girlfriend who is Deaf. To my disbelief the DVD does not contain either closed-captions or subtitles. It is difficult to imagine that something as "superior" as the DVD format would leave out something so basic as closed-captions, when in contrast the VHS includes it.

If you ever need to take a half-day vacation from modern life, pop in this DVD and let the dreamy scent of a bygone era waft you away. There is, of course, pathos in this tale. It comes, after all, from an era when orphans carried a stigma, when they could be adopted as cheap labor, when the disapproval of a single busybody could cast a pall over the entire span of a person's narrow social sphere, and when the isolation of rural existence could crust over even the gentlest souls. But it also comes from an era when conversation and the quiet observation of nature were not drowned out by pop music, television, and rapid transit -- when the little joys of getting a new dress, or brewing one's own elderberry wine, or getting to attend an after-church social planted a much larger footprint on one's day, week, or month.

Usually when I first encounter a piece of literature in its filmed iteration, I am compelled to seek out the "real" thing to flesh out the characters and themes. Not so with Anne of Green Gables. After having watched this miniseries every few months since it first came out on laserdisc years ago, Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth and others of this phenomenal cast are, in the characters they portray, so much my friends and soulmates that I cannot imagine taking the risk of having them supplanted by their book counterparts. It would be an unthinkable disloyalty to the warmest souls ever to grace a TV screen. I'm a busy professional without much time for a fantasy life. But on those occasional days when I need a long, slow draught from a childhood graced by love and light, this is the well to which I go.

This is a classic Canadian story that has captured the imaginations of people all over the world. Megan Fellows becomes Anne in this mini series about an orphan girl taken in by an elderly brother and sister in rural Prince Edward Island at the turn of the century. They had been looking to adopt a boy to assist with the farming that was becoming too difficult for brother Matthew. But it was Matthew who first connected with a very intelligent chatty girl who arrived with precious little in a worn carpet bag at the train station. Anne's over active imagination, and need for drama is the cause for many mis-adventures. The box set includes all the sequels that follow Anne's journey of life. It is not action packed, and doesn't contain an evil anti Anne. It is about how the inclusion of an orphan girl changed the world for two aging siblings who had lived with little joy in their lives. It is also about the realization of potential for a young orphan girl who was given a chance to have a family. It is awesome.

The Anne of Green Gables movie and the Sequel are worth owning this DVD because the movies are that good. HOWEVER, the DVD transfer of both of those movies is terrible, my VHS had better quality. Sullivan Entertainment has recently released restored/remastered versions of these movies that have addressed as many of the quality issues as possible, and I've heard that fans are pleased with result. Before buying this series, I might investigate finding the remastered edition... too bad Amazon does not have them available here, I'd order them in a heartbeat.

The other bad part is that this trilogy contains the third Anne movie which is the biggest waste of time on the planet. If it were cheaper for me to have bought the first two movies alone I'd have done it just to avoid the third piece of junk, but it was cheaper to get the set at Costco.

So... first two are great movies with bad transfers, the third is just a bad movie period. I haven't watched the extras disc so I can't comment on it.

I have loved these movies for most of my life! As a young girl not much older than Anne when I saw the fist one, I found her and the relationships between all of the charectors inspiring and lovely to watch. The movie made me read the books, and when the second and third movies came out I was just as pleased with them as I was with the first. The fact that they were able to film it on location made the movies sooo much better! These movies, and books, are testaments to what people can achive with a little imagination and a lot of love. I recomend any of three of them to be watched by people who love good stories! Have fun and enjoy!

I remember a few years back, reading in an article about the making of Anne of Green Gables that Megan Follows was originally the casting directors' sixth choice to play Anne.

SIXTH?!!

I was absolutely flabbergasted. I cannot imagine who one through five could have possibly been. This girl was absolutely perfect in the role. Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth are also wonderful as Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, the sister and brother who take her into their home. This movie is wonderful, touching, funny, and entertaining, and can (no, will!) be enjoyed by viewers of all ages (my sister, age 4 when she first saw it, and my grandma, age 75, are living proof!).

I also highly recommend "Anne of Avonlea," the sequel to this movie, and the recent "Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story," the final part of the trilogy.

"Anne of Green Gables" is just a beautiful, beautiful film, well crafted, carefully thought out, and superbly acted. There really isn't anything bad that I can think to say about it; it's an amazing, magical, and altogether unforgettable film. I saw it for the first time when I was about nine or ten years old; now, at seventeen, I have come to appreciate its depth and innocence so much more. When I was younger and used to watch it, I loved laughing at Anne's funny and endearing antics in the first half of the movie; now that I'm older, I still love that aspect of the movie, but I can also better understand and appreciate Anne's blossoming into a beautiful young woman. I would say that any girl 12 or older can get the full feel of this movie, and believe me, all of those girls should do so if they want a wonderful and refreshing movie experience unlike any other (and that is the truth).

"Anne of Green Gables" is truly an engaging story of our beloved heroine Anne Shirley, a fiery, redheaded 13-year-old orphan looking for someone to love her (and put up with her!) Her whimsical outlook on life and her fascination with fantasy and imagery has made many people turn away out of frustration and sometimes even lack of heart. However, little Anne is given her own miracle when she is chosen to live with a family in the gorgeous town of Avonlea and ends up with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert quite by accident. The sweet and soft-spoken Matthew is immediately taken to her, but Marilla does not exactly intend to let this talkative, imaginative little girl open the key to her hidden affections. Fortunately, Anne manages to worm her way into everyone's heart, and it is not long before the stable love she is finally receiving begins to help her come into her own as a friend, student, and person. As she eventually comes to understand, accept, and grow through sometimes rocky friendships, difficult neighbors, and competition from her peers, Anne's transformation from a somewhat gawky little girl to a substantial woman of intelligence, maturity, and strength of character finally seeps through, leaving the viewer feeling as if they truly witnessed the positive change and growth of this charming young girl.

Overall, I would rate this movie as easily being one of the most magical and amazing films of all time. Megan Follows comes through beautifully and brings the title character of "Anne of Green Gables" to life in her own unique way. She is a notable actress with great potential and has a seemingly flawless ability to enter Anne's world of confusion, passion, and success. Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth give strongly acted and emotionally accurate performances as Marilla and Matthew. Also rounding out the main cast are Jonathan Crombie as Anne's faithful and somewhat desperate admirer Gilbert Blythe (you will fall absolutely in love with his character); Schuyler Grant as Anne's faithful best friend Diana Barry; and the priceless Patricia Hamilton as Rachel Lynde, Anne's busybody neighbor. The lighthearted and tender story intertwined with the scenery and gorgeous shots of Avonlea make this a perfect choice for the entire family. Sadly, there just aren't very many films like this being made right now; we all know what the dominant themes of today's movies are, and none of them come even close to what you see in "Anne of Green Gables." This is a gem of a movie and certainly one to include in your video collection. If you like any kind of movie about family, courage, love, and all that good stuff, then "Anne" might be the very best you could get. I recommend every piece of this heartfelt film; it is time and money VERY well spent and is the heart and soul of innocence and love.

This is one of the most incredible movies I have ever seen in my entire life, and believe me this is coming from a viewer who knows a good movie! Megan Follows was simply magnificent in this movie, along with other great actors such as Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth. This is not only Canadian film at it's finest, but one of the finest films ever produced. Wonderful breakthrough performances by young actors Schulyer Grant and Jonathan Crombie. Schulyer Grant will remind you of your best friend, and Jonathan Crombie will simply make your heart swoon! This movie holds a record for achieving the highest ratings in Canadian television, and was a ratings hit in the U.S., and every other country it aired in such as the U.K., Australia, Japan, Germany, etc. This movie is worth your time! A great family film, good for the kids, but really a movie for all ages! Kind hearted, serious, romantic, funny, and breathtaking are all words to express this movie! A must see! Two other sequels, including the must see Anne of Avonlea, follow the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery's incredible Anne of Green Gables.