Product Description

Inspired by the works of popular Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery ('Anne of Green Gables' ), the lives of This sparkling one-hour episodic series follows the adventures of Sara Stanley who is forced to live with her deceased mother's relatives in the charming twon of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Sara's story is intertwined with many unforgettable L.M. Montgomery characters - From the cast of the original "Anne of Green Gables" mini-series. Sara's antics and misadventures lead her through tales of romance and fancy; tragedy, and comedy. Episode Titles The Journey Begins, The Story Girl Earns Her Name, The Quarantine, Secrets and True Love, Old Lady Lloyd, Proof of the Pudding, Aunt Abigail's Beau, Malcolm and the Baby, Conversions, Felicity's Challenge, The Blue Chest of Arabella King, The Witch of Avonlea, Nothing Endured but Change,

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71416 in DVD
• Published on: 2003
• Rating: Unrated
• Formats: Color, NTSC, DVD-Video, Import
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 600 minutes

Features

• REGION 1 DVD - NSTC

Customer Reviews

Wholesome family fun.
This is a great series. I wish they still had shows like this on.... but they don't so I had to buy the whole series. The whole family enjoys the adventures of Sarah Stanley and the King Children. They never have a dull moment in believeable tales. If you were an adventurous child you may even relate to some of the adventures. This is set in the same little village that was used for the Anne of Green Gables series.

Worth watching for the adult actors.
Overall, the Avonlea series is based on the Anne of Green Gables books with the Sara character being developed from Anne. I've already noticed some of the lines and scenes that came straight from the books, but which were incidents that Anne went through.

When this series first came out I was disappointed because it lacked the enjoyment of Anne of Green Gables and it's sequal. After viewing the entire first season I still believe Sarah Polley as Sara Stanley doesn't have the same endearing charm that Megan Follows had as Anne. In fact, all the children in Avonlea are snottish or whiney. Where Anne had a lot of friends with one main adversary in Josey Pie, Sara is disliked by even her own cousins, who are the other main child characters. The real reason to watch the Avonlea series is because of the adults. Although the snobery by the townfolk can be a bit much, and hopefully it will be tamed in future seasons, the adult actors bring years of film and stage experience with them to make their characters and Avonlea come alive.

Unfortunately, Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla is only in two episodes of this season, but Patricia Hamilton as Rachel Lynde is in most episodes. Both Mag Ruffman as Olivia King and Rosemary Dunsmore as Abigail King were in the Anne series but are given different and larger parts in Avonlea. Jackie Burroughs as Aunt Hetty is played a bit too mean and hopefully will soften up in subsequent seasons.

If you remember seeing this series when it originally came out and want to revisit it, or have children now, this is definitely good, fun family fare. If you have it on VHS tapes, there's no reason to buy the DVDs because they do not offer a better visual than a tape would, nor are the extra special features worth spending the additional money on. I would have liked to see some actor's and director's commentary.

My Favorite!
If you love Victorian times, if you love all this era entails on an island in Canada that is as enchanting as stepping into a Beatrix Potter illustration...then this series is for you. I LOVE and own every season.

Every season is of course cast on Prince Edward Island, an absolutely breathtaking place. The cottages, homes, and towns are created in exquisite taste with all the feelings of the best, warmest Victorian homes ever! I lose all sense of time and being when I watch Avonlea, you won't be sorry you purchased these.