Green Gables (but not as we remember it)
These days, if you want to portray a part of Canada in the 1890’s, you need to film in Ontario. It turns out that some of the country in and around Millbrook, in particular, will give you an idea what life was like in rural and urban PEI.
The usual view of Green Gables. This is different from the other two versions of Anne of Green Gables because the building is not so ‘picture perfect’. This looks a lot more like a farmhouse would actually appear in those days. Especially the interiors.
These are interior shots of the Anne of Green Gables museum. Again, these are modern recreations of a period farmhouse. The show is quite a bit more austere.
Charlottetown
Millbrook looks like every other small town that I knew as a child. In fact, it is in the centre of the country where my ancestors lived, so it’s in my blood, so to speak.
The old shopfronts haven’t changed in over a hundred years.
Conclusion
Most nostalgic television series whitewash the past, and give us the more fondly (but inaccurately) remembered images. In truth, not everything from yesteryear was wonderful. This version tries to present a more truthful version of life before the turn of the 20th century. And the stories are still riveting to watch.
