The miniseries is divided logically along major narrative arcs from Montgomery’s novel:
| Part | Primary Plot Focus | Key Emotional Beats | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Part One | Anne’s arrival at Green Gables; her childhood struggles and triumphs; rivalry with Gilbert Blythe; academic success. | The slate-breaking incident; Anne’s apology to Mrs. Lynde; the "raspberry cordial" mistake; the Diana Barry friendship oath. | | Part Two | Adolescence, tragedy, and maturity; Anne’s growth into a young woman; the Queen’s Academy years; Matthew’s death; reconciliation with Gilbert. | The "haunted wood" incident; the lily maid for the concert; the scholarship and Matthew’s heart attack; the final scene at Green Gables. |
Sullivan’s direction is painterly. The film captures the "bonny" landscape of Prince Edward Island—fields of wheat, blue gulf waters, and the infamous Lake of Shining Waters—with a warmth that feels nostalgic even on first viewing. But the secret weapon is Hagood Hardy’s score. The main theme, a lilting, melancholic waltz for piano and strings, is inseparable from the imagery of Anne running through a snowy field or Matthew arriving with a puffed-sleeve dress. It is music that evokes both joy and the ache of passing time. Anne of Green Gables - 1985 - 2 Parts
For millions around the world, the name “Anne Shirley” does not conjure the black-and-white typeface of L.M. Montgomery’s 1908 novel, but the fiery red braids, wide grey eyes, and boundless chatter of a Canadian television miniseries. Released in 1985 and split into two feature-length parts, Anne of Green Gables is more than a faithful adaptation—it is a cultural touchstone. Nearly forty years later, the sweeping score, the pastoral landscapes of Prince Edward Island, and the iconic performance of Megan Follows remain the benchmark by which all other versions are judged.
Part One of the 1985 adaptation focuses squarely on the first book, Anne of Green Gables. It opens not with Anne, but with the Cuthberts: aging siblings Matthew (Richard Farnsworth) and Marilla (Colleen Dewhurst). The gray, realistic farmyard contrasts sharply with the explosion of color that follows when Anne is mistakenly sent instead of a boy. Original US Air Date (PBS, WonderWorks): February 17,
Anne of Green Gables (1985) is a critically acclaimed Canadian television miniseries directed by Kevin Sullivan. Based on the 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the production is widely regarded as the definitive screen adaptation of the beloved story. Originally broadcast on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and later on PBS' WonderWorks in the United States, it is structured as a two-part film with a combined runtime of approximately 199 minutes (Part One: 100 min; Part Two: 99 min). The miniseries launched the international career of Megan Follows and set a new standard for period literary adaptations.
There have been numerous adaptations: the 1934 silent film, the 1972 British series, the 2017 Netflix series Anne with an E, and the 2022 animated films. Yet, the Anne of Green Gables – 1985 – 2 Parts version remains supreme. Why? The miniseries is divided logically along major narrative
Before 1985, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel had been adapted several times, most notably as a 1934 silent film. But no adaptation had attempted what Kevin Sullivan set out to do: capture the totality of the novel’s spirit across a sweeping, cinematic runtime.
The decision to split the story into two 100-minute parts (originally broadcast on the Disney Channel and CBC) was a masterstroke. A single two-hour film would have crushed the narrative into a montage of “kindred spirits” and broken slates. By dividing the story, Sullivan allowed the audience to live with Anne.