Road to Avonlea

Road to Avonlea: The First Complete Season. (1989 [original release date]). Directed by Kevin Sullivan. Starring Sarah Polley, Jackie Burroughs, Mag Ruffman, Zachary Bennett, Lally Cadeau. Sullivan Entertainment, 2009. 600 minutes. DVD $64.98 ASIN: B000T2DK1A

Summary: L.M. Montgomery’s Chronicles and Further Chronicles of Avonlea, and The Story Girl and The Golden Road are beautifully conveyed in this award-winning children’s T.V. program. The first series contains thirteen episodes, situated in the early 1900s on Prince Edward Island. The series chronicles the life of young Sarah Stanley, whose wealthy Montreal father sends to live with her island relatives when his company is faced with a difficult legal battle. Initially Sarah finds small-time life oppressive, deeply missing her father and nanny Louisa. However, she soon appreciates life with Aunt Olivia and Aunt Hetty, and forms a lasting friendship with her nearby relatives on King farm. Fans of Anne of Green Gables will cherish this series, for its familial warmth, friendship, and historical authenticity.

Genre: Historical T.V. Program

Interest/Age Level: 8 years through adult

Awards: (Retrieved from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_Avonlea)

Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series (Christopher Lloyd), 1992; Best Children's Program, 1993; Best Costume Design, 1995; Outstanding Guest Actress in a Dramatic Series (Dianne Wiest), 1997.

16 Emmy Nominations

4 CableAce Awards: Best Dramatic Series, 1991; Best Dramatic Series, 1993; Best Dramatic Series, 1994; Best Writing in a Dramatic Series (Heather Conkie)

17 CableAce Nominations

18 Gemini Awards: Best Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score (John Welsman), Best Performance by a Lead Actress (Jackie Burroughs), 1990; Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Lead Actress (Jackie Burroughs), 1991; Best Leading Actor (Cedric Smith), Best Guest Performance in a Series (Kate Nelligan), Best Direction in a Series (Allan King), 1992; Best Actress (Jackie Burroughs), 1993; Best Guest Performance in a Series (Bruce Greenwood), Best Original Score, Best Actress (Lally Cadeau), 1994; Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Hamilton), Best Original Score, 1995; Best Supporting Actress (Kay Tremblay), Best Guest Actress (Frances Bay), Best Original Score, 1996.

6 Gemini Nominations

3 John Labatt Classic Awards For Most Popular Program in Canada (chosen by the public), 1990, 1991 and 1992

Series: The following six series of Road to Avonlea between 1990 and 1996

Subjects/Themes: families; adjustment; moving; friendship; urban vs. rural life; one-room school houses; Prince Edward Island; aunts, uncles and cousins; L. M. Montgomery; stories; imagination

Character Names: Sarah Stanley; Hetty and Olivia King; Janet and Alec King; Felicity, Felix, and Cecily King; Andrew King; Nanny Lousia; Blair Stanley

Production Website: http://www.roadtoavonlea.com/

Brief Annotation: An affluent early 20^th century girl from Montreal, adjusts to small-town life with her Prince Edward Island relatives.