Top Ten Films: Part Five

Okay, the fifth film on this list is not really a movie that was shown in theaters. It isn’t really a film, but rather a mini-series, and while we’re at it, it is really two miniseries.

In most cases it is a no-brainer that a book will be better than the movie interpretation of that book—just look at the Harry Potter franchise. They are some good films but nowhere near as good as the books. Well, there are exceptions to every rule, and the two Anne of Green Gables miniseries by Kevin Sullivan fit into that exception. These movies take three or four of the books from the series and turn the small, funny episodic chapters into a sweeping story of Anne's life in a way that the viewer really gets to know her. Watching her grow and mature, fall in love, and embrace reality without losing her romantic imagination is a great experience.

It is perhaps a little ironic that a story that is essentially a classic, period, romance carries the message that reality can be more romantic than silly, imaginary, romantic ideals. Anne is a wonderful character, with a rich imagination, and as a result, she has a hard time living in the real world. Nothing can measure up to the ideals that she invents for herself. While the viewer wants her to finally recognize the good she has available in her life, she is such an endearing character that she never really becomes annoying.

As with most romantic stories, this one never explores the “happily ever after.” Sullivan did come up with his own “Anne” story not based on the books exploring events later in her life, but why bother?