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Movie guide details
Anne of Green Gables has been a beloved work of literature in the lives of families worldwide for nearly 100 years.
movie: Anne of Green Gables
date: 2016
cast: Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, & Martin Sheen
runtime: 90 minutes
rating: G
rating explanation: General Audience
available to watch: DVD & Prime Video (streaming online video)
In case you aren’t familiar, this is how Amazon describes the plot of the original book:
“Anne is described as bright and quick, eager to please, talkative, and extremely imaginative. She has a pale face with freckles and usually braids her red hair. When asked her name, Anne asks Marilla to call her Cordelia, which Marilla refuses; Anne then insists that if she is to be called Anne, it must be spelled with an e, as that spelling is “so much more distinguished.” Marilla at first says the girl must return to the orphanage, but after a few days, she decides to let her stay. Marilla feels that she could be a good influence on the girl and had also overheard that another disagreeable woman in town might take Anne in instead. As a child of imagination, Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her talkativeness initially drives the prim, duty-driven Marilla to distraction, although Matthew falls for her charm immediately. Anne says that they are “kindred spirits.” The book recounts Anne’s adventures in making a home: the country school where she quickly excels in her studies; her friendship with Diana Barry (her best or “bosom friend” as Anne fondly calls her); her budding literary ambitions; and her rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For that, he earns her instant hatred, although he apologizes many times.”
Movie guide discussion
The following is a loose movie guide of the film’s topics that may cause discussion with your people. I try to watch and listen closely, but the only way to guarantee that this movie is suitable for your family is to preview it yourself.
intimacy: zero
inappropriateness: zero
language: zero
violence: While not serious, Anne cracks a slate over a boy’s head that is teasing her.
During one of the very first conversations, a lady is warning another about the violence that orphans have brought on their homeowners. She talks about one orphan burning down the house and about another orphan shooting everyone with a rifle and then “slitting their throats with a bread knife, even the baby.”
Anne flashes back several times throughout the movie to some pretty intense scenes: A woman slaps Anne’s hand repeatedly with a ruler while other children watch. A woman is shown pulling Anne’s ear as she grimaces in pain. An angry husband throws a plate on the floor and shatters it while Anne and the wife hide under the table.
use of substances: Anne accidentally gets her best friend Diana drunk during their tea time by giving her what she thinks is raspberry cordial but is currant wine. It’s totally innocent but Diana’s Mom forbids her to play with Anne.
positive messages: Learning is a wonderful thing. There is more than one way to think about things. There are consequences to our actions. Keeping your word is very important.
Good, bad, or in-between
The music and cinematography are simply fabulous. As a dreamer myself, I loved watching Anne get lost in her dreamy thoughts and how different personalities related to her. Anne causes others to think outside of the way things have always been. She reminds us that beauty and simple joys are all around us if we look for it. Several times I actually laughed out loud, especially after Anne’s interesting prayers!
To me, the movie did not follow the book perfectly, but I expected that. Marilla isn’t as gruff of a woman and Matthew Cuthbert isn’t as quiet of a man in this movie like they are in the book. Gilbert and Anne barely have a relationship. Only those who are book traditionalist will mind that all the details don’t line up. The movie clearly didn’t have as much depth as the book because it’s as if they tried to cram way too much in 90 minutes, but yet left so much out. The consolation is that it appears that the sequel movie goes more in depth and fleshes out what needs to be!
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I liked it so much that I can’t wait to watch the sequel, Anne of Green Gables, The Good Stars. Clean movies are hard to come by these days and this is definitely a keeper. I hope you enjoyed this family movie guide and find it helpful! I think you will fall in love with Anne all over again in this movie.
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Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.
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We did like this one, though it doesn’t follow the book exactly. But as you pointed out, it’s so hard to find quality (and safe) family entertainment, I was willing to overlook it. 😉
I can’t wait for more reviews!!
Author
Awe, thanks, Sabrina. Right?! It was a delightful little movie. Just found out today that there’s not only a sequel but also a 3rd movie too! Woot! 😉
shan
Thanks for sharing. I’ve never seen this one, but to be honest, I was never a huge fan of the book. That’s great it’s a fairly appropriate family film.
-Lauren
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Lauren. I’ll have many more movie reviews coming! Stay tuned! 😉
shan
The How-to Guru
This is a true classic and everyone should see it. I read the book and really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to see the movie.
Author
Yes, Candy, that book lives on in us when we read it, doesn’t it?! So glad you plan to watch the movie!!!
shan
This brings back so many childhood memories. I used to watch Anne of Greengables with my Grandmother and we both loved it so much! Thanks for the memories!
Author
Awe. Precious words. Thank you so much and you are welcome!
shan
I love this idea; I hope you continue doing these types of reviews! So helpful 🙂
(I also love this movie!)
Author
Thanks, Jordan. You made my day with your encouragement. You never really know if what you are doing is helpful and your words push me forward. Glad you loved it too.
shan
How have I never seen this movie? Thanks for the review!
Author
Really, Courtney? I’m guilty of being WAYYY behind on movies too!
shan
Oh these are great! Always looking for suggestions!
Author
Thanks, Erin. Means a lot!
shan
This looks like a great movie. I also like that it is based off a book. That way I could compare the two.
I haven’t seen this one, I’ll have to watch it sometime.
I’m always looking for good movies to add to our family movie night list. I’ve actually never seen or read this so it will be a good one for kids and me as well! Thanks for the review.
Author
Awe, how exciting for your family to have something new to read and watch. I suggest always reading the book first and then seeing the story come to life together. Have fun!!!
shan
I haven’t seen this new version yet, but oh! How I love Anne of Green Gables! I love everything about it SO much that I named my first daughter Anne (with the ‘e’, please notice!) Great review!
Author
So funny, Amy! My daughter is Anne with an “E” also! 😉
shan
I have not read this book! But since you mentioned that you liked the movie so much, I really want to order it and give it a read before watching this movie. Great review!
Author
Thanks so much, Cathy!!!
shan
Love movie nights!!
Author
Yay! Us too! 😉
shan
This is a really good one for all ages! When I was growing up we loved Little Women!
Author
Yes, Theresa. LOVE Little Women. I heard that there is a new 2018 Little Women coming out. It’s supposed to be a ‘modern’ version – I’m thinking that I won’t like that! 😉
shan
This is such a great blog post idea! This sounds like a really interesting movie. I’ve never seen it but I need to check it out!
Author
Thanks, Madison. I love writing about great, family entertainment. 🙂
shan
I love Anne of Green Gables so much! Sad that it does not follow the book exactly. But, I will probably watch it any way as I believe my granddaughter will love it!
Author
Thanks, Jennifer. Have fun!!!
shan
I wanted to see this one, now I definitely will!
Author
Yay, Caroline. Enjoy!
shan
This is so nice to have for families who are looking to get a sense of what the move might entail before watching it with their whole family.
Author
Thanks so much, Stefanie! I enjoyed it so much and am working on another review right now!
shan
Ive never heard of this movie before, but it seems like a good movie to watch with my younger siblings.
This was a favorite of mine as a child!
So many memories of watching the original as a kid.