This 1972 series from the BBC was directed by Joan Craft and starred Bernard Braden’s daughter, Kim, who was superb as Anne Shirley, the irrepressible orphan who goes to live with a farming family on Prince Edward Island.
The unbeatable combination of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s enchanting saga of Anne’s life and times in Victorian Canada and the resources and talents of the BBC’s children’s department resulted in a truly delightful addition to their long list of successes.
Braden balanced breathtakingly on the tightrope between authentic Victorian gaucherie and the charming explosions of girlish exuberance and temper which punctuated Anne’s journey through life.
The rest of the cast were also a joy and all looked and sounded as if they had just stepped out of the pages of the original book.
A six-part sequel, Anne of Avonlea – also directed by Joan Craft – was produced by the BBC in 1975 and followed the grown-up Anne (still played by Braden) as she left Green Gables for college.
Not to be confused with the 1987 Canadian production, Anne of Green Gables – The Sequel.
Sadly, no recordings of this series remain.
Anne Shirley
Kim Braden Matthew Cuthbert
Elliott Sullivan Marilla Cuthbert
Barbara Hamilton Rachel Lynde
Avis Bunnage Diana Barry
Jan Francis Gilbert Blythe
Robin Halstead Ruby Gillis
Kim Hardy Jane Andrews
Zuleika Robson Josie Pye
Angela Walker Miss Stacey
Kate Beswick
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The unbeatable combination of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s enchanting saga of Anne’s life and times in Victorian Canada and the resources and talents of the BBC’s children’s department resulted in a truly delightful addition to their long list of successes.
