Thursday, August 25, 2011

L. M. Montgomery Day: The Movies

There have been movies made of some of Maud's books, and though none of them are top favorites with me, I'm telling you about them anyway. :)

Firstly, there are the Anne movies. A total of three movies covering Anne's life, loosely based on the books. I can sorta enjoy these IF I watch them and think of them as something totally different from the books. But if you're hoping for a close following, don't even try these. They're a disappointment. With the possible exception of the first one, which was best.


There was also a TV series made of the Emily of New Moon books. I have seen about 1/2 an hour of the first one, so I really can't draw conclusions. My guess: they stray waaaay and away from the books. Maybe not. Prolly so. Anyone know? There are definitely three seasons, maybe four.



Then there was an animated TV series of Anne made also. Again, I haven't seen it.


The Avonlea TV series was about many of her short stories, I think. Yes, this is yet another that I haven't viewed.


So! Which of these have you seen? Any? All? None? Tell me!

10 comments:

Anne Greff said...

When I was younger, i used to watch the Animated Anne of Green Gables... doesn't follow the book at all, but I enjoyed it anyways. :D

And I LOVE the Anne of Green Gables movie... Anne of Avonlea is okay, and I haven't seen the 3rd because I've heard it's WAY far off from the book...

Alyianna said...

I love the Anne of Green Gables movies (I've only watched the first two)! And I've watched some of the Road to Avonlea, and it's really, good, too! I never read the real Road to Avonlea books, though.

They have a tv series for Emily of New Moon?!? Awesome! I have to watch that!

Charity U said...

Elizabeth, yes, the first is good, the second is okay, and third IS way off. But if you consider them as a completely different story, they're okay...still not awesome.

Alyianna, I don't think there are Road to Avonlea books...I think the TV show is based on a variety of Montgomery's short stories. :) I was surprised...she has maybe 10 books of them?

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

I've seen three of these series/films.

Anne of Green Gables is an amazing series. It doesn't really matter that they aren't as faithful to the books because the scenery is so charming, the costumes are stunning, the actors are so talented and the music is beautiful. It captures the essence of her story so perfectly. And this is also a series for the whole family, there is nothing objectionable in Anne of Green Gables or The Sequel.

Emily of New Moon was very disappointing. There are four seasons and they start out okay but as they continue they majorly change the character of Emily and the original plots. Added in are New Age themes like Emily sees and talks to ghosts/spirits. The costumes and scenery are lovely but everything else is unfortunate.

I've never seen the animated Anne of Green Gables, not very interested in it either. Usually animated series take liberties with the story.

The Road to Avonlea series has some plots and characters that are loosely based on some of her short stories, especially 'The Story Girl'. The series is a wonderful family show with no questionable themes in it. The costumes & scenery are beautiful and acting is great. It's a favorite series of mine.

Charity U said...

Hey, Miss Laurie, thanks for all the info! I found it very interesting. :)

Jujube said...

I know I watched the Anne of Green Gables movies. Except, I was really young then, so I barely remember anything. But given a chance, I would watch them again.

Alyianna said...

To Charity U: Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for telling me!

Melody said...

Road to Avonlea is great show. I highly recommend it. It's very old-fashioned, has intersting stories, lovely music, scenery, and costumes. (I especially like the costuming in the later seasons, when it's early 1910s.)

Yes, a lot of the main characters are based off of the novel 'The Story Girl' and its sequel 'The Golden Road', and then two of the short story books: 'Chronicals of Avonlea' and 'Further Chronicals of Avonlea' (I hope I got those last 2 titles right! :) )

Charity U said...

Okay, Melody, I gotta see it now. :) I loved all four of those books!

Melody said...

Does your library have it? =) If they don't have Road to Avonlea you might try 'Tales from Avonlea' - Disney put some out (just the first season and a few other episodes, I think) under that title.