Anne of Green Gables (1972)
Cast and Credits
Produced by BBC Television. Running time: 5 episodes x 45 minutes. BBC airdates: 20, 27 Feb., 5, 12, 19 Mar. 1972.
Kim Braden (Anne Shirley), Barbara Hamilton (Marilla Cuthbert), Elliott Sullivan (Matthew Cuthbert), Jan Francis (Diana Barry), Christopher Blake (Gilbert Blythe), and Madge Ryan (Rachel Lynde).
Dramatized by Julia Jones. Produced by John McRae. Directed by Joan Craft.
Commentary and Synopsis
Although comparatively recent, this BBC miniseries appears to have faded into obscurity. Despite detailed researching, I have not been able to locate a screening copy of it, and it does not appear to have ever aired in North America. The London Times called it “the new tea-time classic” but never offered a more detailed review. Rebroadcast on BBC between 5 Aug. and 2 Sept. 1973, it was followed by a sequel, Anne of Avonlea. Barbara Hamilton had also played Marilla in Anne of Green Gables: The Musical between 1965 and 1968 and then had the recurring role of Eulalie Bugle in Sullivan Entertainment’s Road to Avonlea.
Selected Further Reading
Popular Press
TV listings. London Times 19 Feb. 1972: 8.
