Parents' Guide to

Anne of Green Gables

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

New take on plucky book heroine offers great messages.

TV PBS Drama 2016
Anne of Green Gables Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 4 parent reviews

zonarocks22
zonarocks22 Parent of 10-year-old
January 16, 2022
age 8+

Great Adaptation of Classic Book

There is very little objectionable about this movie - barring the beginning where a neighbor makes several gross and derogatory comments about "orphans" (e.g., that one killed her adoptive family and then slit their throats). Otherwise, it is a great family movie. Due to the era it is set in there are, of course, gender stereotypes but much to the credit of Anne and Marilla (her adoptive mother), they defy such roles frequently.
mwhitmoe
mwhitmoe Parent of 7 and 10-year-old
January 16, 2021
age 7+

Terrific family entertainment, especially for young girls

Great adaptation! My 8 year-old daughter loved it. My 10 year-old son would not give it a shot, which was discouraging, but understandable.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, when middle-aged siblings Marilla (Sara Botsford) and Matthew Cuthbert (Martin Sheen) send away for an orphan boy to help them around their farm on Prince Edward Island, fortune steps in and delivers them a girl instead. But Anne Shirley (Ella Ballentine) is not just any girl; she's fanciful, imaginative, and outspoken, all of which feels out of place at Green Gables and Avonlea. As time passes, though, Anne endears herself to kindhearted Matthew and rigid Marilla and begins to find her niche in the broader community, with the help of her new best friend, Diana (Julia Lalonde). Suddenly it's as though she's been there forever, and finally having a place to call home allows Anne to blossom in new ways.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (3):

Sweeping scenery, whimsical music, and a timeless story of family and friendship make this interpretation of L.M. Montgomery's classic a feel-good movie for all ages. Precocious Anne instantly wins over viewers with her chin-up attitude in the face of more adversity than most can imagine today, from being orphaned at an early age to bouncing around as an unwanted addition to one family after another and finally landing in a dreary group home. (Not to mention the lifelong sorrow of her red hair, of course.) It's no wonder Green Gables is a dream come true for her, and as she comes to find her place in it -- and in the hearts of Marilla and Matthew -- it's impossible not to root for a bright future for Anne with an "e."

This Anne of Green Gables reboot does a wonderful job introducing a new generation of viewers to this classic story set in a very different childhood from those that exist today, and it's enticing from the first few scenes. That said, fans of the acclaimed 1985 Kevin Sullivan production will find that this version toys with some aspects of the story that come as a bit of a disappointment. For one, Gilbert Blythe (Drew Haytaoglu) plays only a marginal role in this adaptation, thus downplaying Anne's grudge against him that so defines her coming-of-age story. Marilla and Matthew are noticeably reinterpreted as well, with Marilla being far less severe and Matthew significantly more extroverted here, and so Anne's winning them over is much less momentous. These and other adjustments don't interfere with this wonderful story itself, but they will be noticed by longtime fans of the version by which all others are judged, even three decades later.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • What accounts for Anne's ability to rise above her surroundings and see the best in people in Anne of Green Gables? How does her perseverance pay off? Is it difficult to be patient for a reward? What other character strengths and life skills are important to you?

  • Families can talk about the differences between Anne's childhood experience and theirs. How have basic responsibilities and needs changed since Anne's time? What parts of Anne's life seem most foreign to you? On the other hand, are there some that ring true to your experience?

  • Is Anne a good role model? What qualities are most admirable in her? How does she react when she makes a mistake?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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