This is quite simply the best show that I ever watched. I watched it when I was as young as the child actors on the show and watching it now reminds of the joy and innocence of those times. I am so glad to have watched this show. Pure magic! The era its set in and the innocence of all the characters is really appealing. Unlike today's vulgar crap thrown into every show. The show is loosely based on novels by L.M. Montgomery, the 'avonlea' titles. Some of the original characters in the book are included in the show, but most of the lead characters are new. While the books were about a poor orphan girl who's reluctantly adopted and how she adds meaning and joy into people's lives, the show is about a rich orphan girl with a lot of money, who's living with her aunt. The settings are simply brilliant, as are the plots and the acting. The best gift you can give to your kids.
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movie1352 September 2006
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juno1320 January 2003I've seen Road plenty of times, and I'd like to say, it's a pretty good series. It mixes real life drama with historical views, and Avonlea, the town, of course, is the perfect place for this highly entertaining show, and fantastic characters. All the characters, Felicity, Felix, and Sarah being my favourites, add their own...spice, if you will, to the recipe that creates this entertaining series. Flaws: Sometimes, it got a bit too sappy, and sometimes, the events are a bit far from reality. Otherwise, it's a pretty good show.
Happy watching, everyone,
juno13 -
Lee-10720 June 2000ROAD TO AVONLEA (RTA) is adapted from L.M. Montgomery's short stories on Avonlea. Spanning 7 seasons, 91 episodes in all, this series follows the life of its three main protagonists - Sara Stanley (Sarah Polley), Felicity King (Gema Zamprogna) and Felix King (Zachary Bennett), from the time they're around nine years old till they reach adulthood. Jackie Burroughs, Cedric Smith, Lally Cadeau, and Mag Ruffman, who play the rest of the King family, also have dominant roles in the series. Many of its themes and issues have been shown from their perspective. For those familiar with Kevin Sullivan's 'Anne of Green Gables' and its Sequel, RTA is meant to be a show that explores life in Avonlea after Anne Shirley has left to settle elsewhere. Therefore, some of the 'Anne' characters do appear in RTA like Marilla Cuthbert (Colleen Dewhurst), Rachel Lynde (Patricia Hamilton), and Muriel Stacy (Marilyn Lightstone).
One of the many reasons why this series is so endearing and memorable is its right mixture of drama and comedy. The comic element is explored thoroughly through the characters of Felix and Hetty King and also through those working at the White Sands Hotel - a venue for many an Avonlea adventure! Jackie Burroughs has given one of the best performances playing Hetty King - a school teacher who is at times a rigid, even shrewish spinster and the next, an eloquent novelist of popular romance! Her character fluctuates from the impossibly strict to the ridiculously silly! The series started with the focus on Sara Stanley and then shifted to Felicity King and it is her life that has been most faithfully charted - from being a typical, bossy elder sister to a sensitive, young woman. Micheal Mahonen plays Gus Pike, Felicity's love interest. His character is granted all the elements of a romantic hero - a passion for the seas, a lighthouse dwelling, mystery, initial orphanhood, and then a fortunate family lineage. The characters of Sara and Felix have been given almost equal treatment; with Sara, being an independent, self-seeking woman exiting the show in Season 6 to seek a literary career in Paris. Felix's story is one of gradual maturation through what seems like an endless series of scrapes and messes!
From Season 6, the show focused more on other characters in Avonlea, like the town gossips, the Pettibone family and Davy and Dora Keith. What made RTA interesting was its social and historical realism - from focusing on the suffragette movement, to the scientific inventions explored through the character of Jasper Dale (R.H. Thomson), to the encroachment of builders wanting to turn Avonlea into a city.
Supported by an amazing team of costume and location designers and five music directors, RTA is as authentic as any period show can get. I loved the music given for this series, especially the tune given by John Welsman for Gus Pike's character - a violin tune, it evokes all the beauty and pathos of his character. RTA ended on a bitter-sweet note. The sweet note being the much-awaited marriage of Felicity to Gus and the bitter note being the planned departure of one of the show's sweetest couples - Olivia and Jasper Dale. Their decision to leave Avonlea is a metaphorical announcement that things have changed in Avonlea - with the cannery disaster being a milder version of what Avonlea will face with the advent of the World War I. One can say that Kevin Sullivan has explored that element in his RTA reunion movie 'Happy Christmas Miss King' and in 'Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story'. As to the cast of RTA, they're all brilliant in their roles. I found myself especially identifying with Sarah Polley and Gema Z's character and the various predicaments they fall into.
RTA is a representation of Kevin Sullivan at his best - never has the combination (in a TV costume drama series) of romance, comedy, and social and historical realism been more entertaining, endearing, and authentic! Road to Avonlea is one of my all-time favourite shows. So much so that, when I visited Prince Edward Island, I took time out to visit Dalvay-By-The-Sea - Avonlea's White Sands Hotel. Visiting the hotel was a surreal experience. I felt like (or rather wished) Hetty and Felix would walk right past me arguing over some nor something! Avonlea will always be special for me - always there to provide comfort and companionship when I need it. -
drexmaverick1 June 2019I loved this show when I was younger. Although I didn't see it until it was the later seasons. But I only watched it for Sarah mostly. I was watching it again recently on this site use for binge watching, but a lot of episodes are broken or don't play at all. She sprouted up from season 3 into 4. The entire series was supposed to revolve around her, but she got kidnapped more than once and fell into danger too often. I hated Felicity because she never changes. She even went so low as to use Sarah's story as her own once. Then when I was looking up some information I was sadly reminded that Sarah left the show in season 5 and it still went 2 more seasons. I vaguely remember somebody mentioning something about that years ago. I don't recall which episodes I did see that didn't include her, but without her there is no show. I know some episodes were not revolved around her character, but it's just dissapointing. And I also read that she wasn't even on the reunion show. How stupid is it that a show's star character wasn't a part of it anymore ...
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mary-hammond230 October 2012This series is my favourite television series of all and I am watching it episode by episode as Sky True Entertainment is showing it each day at the moment. I showed two episodes to my 6 year old granddaughter yesterday and she seemed to really like it as well. The scenery of Prince Edward Island looks so gorgeous that it makes me want to go there for a holiday. The stories are beautifully written, and the children are just such fun. Sarah is such an enchanting little girl and Felix seems such a typically naughty and cheeky boy. I just love the whole series! I think my daughter-in-law was rather worried that the innocent world portrayed in RTA, where Sarah goes into strangers houses and doesn't show any fear or wariness of possible danger from them, might be a bad example to children, whereas now they are always warned to beware of strangers. But of course we are looking at a different world then, which seems full of charm and magic.
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rslh23 March 2009Great series. I love the episode Old Quarrels,Old Love, when Hetty's old beau from seventh grade comes back to Avonlea and Hetty won't speak with him at first,because in seventh grade he toke Rachel Lynde to a dance to make her jealous,finely she speaks(in angry) after falling in the river and eventually she forgives him but than he dies. So sad. It is a very fun sweet series that I strongly recommended. I wish that it didn't have to end. It did go on for 7 years though! My favorite characters are Hetty , Sara, Felicity,Felix,Jasper Dale and the young Cecily.Hetty is very funny, writing books and keeps it a secret,falling i n the river , Sara is the calm one and has a wonderful imagination,Felicity is a achiever and decides to do something than decides not to do it, Felix is always sure he has a great plan but than it gets him in trouble, Jasper if a bumbling inventor,and Cecily is the sweet second to youngest King child.
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This is a lovely, touching series revolving around the old fashioned adventures of a group of rural villagers in early 1900's Prince Edward Island. With characters and events very loosely based on L.M. Montgomery's books, the program makes for entertaining and heartwarming family viewing.
The series revolves around an 11 year old Montreal girl, Sara Stanley, who is sent by her wealthy father to live at Rose Cottage with her maiden aunts, Hetty and Olivia King, in the PEI village of Avonlea. The show chronicles the experiences of this young girl, who has been accustomed to city ways, as she adapts to her newfound rural relatives and simple village life. It also portrays Sara's various misadventures with her young cousins, the King offspring.
Sara's Aunt Hetty is a strait laced, humourless spinster schoolteacher. Olivia is Sara's more affectionate, younger aunt who works as a reporter for the local newspaper. Later Olivia marries Jasper Dale, a shy, stammering photographer and inventor. The King cousins, who live next door to Rose Cottage and share Sara's adventures, are the offspring of the loving & motherly but independent minded Janet and her farming husband Alec King, who is Hetty and Olivia's younger brother. The three King children include 13 year old Felicity, with her superior demeanor and later her beaux, mischievous 10 year old Felix, and the quiet, younger Cecily, who later suffers from tuberculosis and must go to a sanitarium. During the course of the series, the three King siblings are joined baby Daniel while all these other children grow up. Felicity attends medical school and Felix works in the White Sands Hotel, while the independent Sara herself travels abroad and seeks a literary career in Paris.
The roles all seem well cast. Sara Poley wonderfully portrayed the adventurous, feisty blonde Sara Stanley. Jackie Burroughs is especially magnificent depicting the strict spinster Aunt Hetty. Some of the characters from Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables also appear, including the local busybody Rachel Lynde, her more reserved best friend Marilla Cuthbert, and the schoolteacher Miss Stacey, Hetty's rival and polar opposite.
Personally, I watched more of the earlier episodes with the focus on Sara, so am less familiar with the later tales relating more to the blossoming Felicity and her romance with Gus Pike. There's an interesting life lesson from these two girls. As another has also noted here, it warns us of the dangers of false assumptions. Felicity assumes that the rich urban Sara will be the snobbish stuck up one, but it is actually the rural Felicity herself who puts on airs.
I forget many of the episode details as it's been awhile, but just happened lately to stumble upon the TV channel where it's shown in re runs so will certainly tune in again. The episode I recently watched revolves around Janet's frail, elderly Great Aunt Eliza, a critical and opinionated spinster guest who has worn out her welcome in the King household. The episode also incorporates a storyline about a school science fair project for these youngsters, all tied in with harsh weather conditions that are threatening the King farm's lambing. Just one example of the type of stories in this series.
The adventures and regular everyday experiences of these Island villagers make for a touching, engaging, and addicting series. The program features lovely rural scenery, unfortunately filmed in Ontario rather than on PEI itself. There's also all the outdated domestic touches one would expect, the pre electricity oil lamps and so forth. Wonderful family viewing with good values, certainly vastly superior to the majority of modern TV offerings for young people these days. -
kandy500111 November 2016Yes, I think this is my favorite show of all time...
I've enjoyed every episode. I've seen every episode multiple times. I enjoy repeating parts of episodes. My mom recorded every episode while I was away at college...which I thoroughly devoured each school break when I got home.
I searched high and wide for the series when it came on DVD...and prize that collection for its value. It's outstanding.
Great story telling. Wonderful music. Great Acting (especially Polley, Burroughs, Bennett, and especially Mahonen as "Gus"). It was superb from start to finish...and REALLY took off as a super series after the star (Polley) left allowing the other characters in the story universe to show incredible depth.
The drawback is that the series became more and more "sanitized" as it went on. Seasons 1-2 were much more real and authentic than the other seasons comparably.
The Best in book with just a series or two behind it. -
PeriodDramaFan8830 July 2021This show will go down as one of the best family period TV shows ever made! The only show I feel can compete is LHOTP! My family and I have spent many nights bonding, laughing, crying over this masterpiece. Definitely a classic for the ages!
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shelbythuylinh12 December 2021That over in the one girl played by filmmaker and actress Sarah Polley must adjust from her privileged background to that over in the rural farmland as she is forced upon her cousins, five sisters estranged there.
As her own father tries to shield her from scandal that his company is facing and so she must adjust on it there. Glad Sarah is the mature actress and filmmaker she is meant to be. -
lgallon6 November 2016This show was an unforgettable part of my childhood. I remember gathering together with my family every Sunday evening at 7pm and would fall in love with an exciting world full of romance, adventure, good values, and love for a town and its community. I would be transported to a simpler time where morals and respect for family was valued. The characters were unforgettable and the acting was superb. The scenery was breathtaking, and each story that was told was remarkable. I was so fortune to visit were the show was filmed, and I must say the scenery was just as spectacular as it was on TV. From beginning to end this show was an absolute gem. I would certainly recommend this series! It's an absolute classic.
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hyacintoblack13 November 2021What an annoying character she is. I am not interested in her at all. And she ruins the series. I wish there was more of Olivia King, Rachel Lynda and Marilla Cuthbert. They totally outshine Hetty.
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A couple of weeks ago I decided to watch Road to Avonlea again, for the first time in over ten years. I didn't remember much about the show more than that I used to love it when I was a child. I've always been fond of history and adventures and Avonlea was a perfect mixture of those elements. A show which makes you dream about another time and place. When I re-watched the show this summer I remembered why I used to love it so much and after watching just a couple of episodes I was hooked, just like all those years ago. I still love Avonlea. I love the characters, I love their adventures, I love their beautiful island. I love their little world which I wish was real because if it was I would like to visit it.
I never got bored with the people of Avonlea because there were so many of them and something new always happened. There was love, fights, tears, joy, death, comedy and all the challenges and pleasures you meet in life. Through the years the young children of the show grew up and it was very interesting seeing how they evolved. I especially found Felicity's way from a little know-it-all besserwisser to a intelligent young woman interesting.
Every actor, both the lead characters and the guests on the show did an outstanding job and I can't remember a single actor who's character wasn't well played. I loved some and hated some but they all felt real.
Another thing of huge importance which I think was extremely well done was all the aesthetic things. The costumes, the locations and the props. Everything looked as it was taken straight from the early 20th century. Of course I'm no expert of home decoration and clothes of that time but I imagine the persons behind all of those things in the wardrobe and props departments did a lot of research before they created and gathered all those wonderful dresses and furniture.
Avonlea has made me both cry and laugh until I cried. It's one of the finest TV-series I've ever watched and I recommend it to anyone who wants to escape our stressful society for a while. Travel 100 years back in time and you'll end up in Avonlea. You'll love it. -
maria_kjelstad16 July 2017I fondly remember watching the first five seasons of this series on Norwegian television (NRK) back in the 90's. But for some strange reason they never aired the last two seasons! I have absolutely no glue to why they didn't do this! It's very strange. I believe all of us who watched and loved season 1-5 would also love to watch season 6-7! I mean, hello?! We want to see how it all ended!
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elizabethgross-601204 June 2023Heartwarming, great family film, some of the best cast from Anna Green Gable's and of Avonlea. The music is great, so is the scenery. This series will make me laugh, cry, and reminisce about growing up in a small town. It's fun to see the kids grow up together and become adults. They get into all kinds of mischief, there's romance, and comedy. Definitely worth the watch. I have the whole series on DVD and will watch it every year two. Some of my favorite episodes are the romance between two young cast members, the holiday episodes, and the episode about the town theatrical production where Janet plays the lead.
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allysonoplinger12 September 2023This is one of the greatest shows ever put on TV. The writing was sharp, the acting superb, and the wholesome messages much appreciated.
I remember watching this and the Anne movies when I was a little girl. I have always loved this Era and have dreamed of going to PEI and pretending to be Sara Stanley.
The 6th and 7th season are somewhat less than the first 5. However, those last two episodes and the special film, "Happy Christmass Miss King" are a great way to go out with this series.
Wish they could do a sequel show with everyone in Avonlea during the 1930s. But without Hetty King, I just don't know... -
The most beautiful background scenery, wonderful cast and a story that's enduring and charming. Mr. Sullivan has the perfect touch when it came to recreating both this series and the Anne of green gables movies.
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ummehaniamir19 February 2022Few can argue that this is the best series/ show in the history of filming. The cast have outdone themselves, the music - enchanting- the settings - the attention to detail- the writing - the spinning of marvellous stories, the production- all Of the most excellent quality. I was fortunate to grow up watching every season as it was made, year by year. Available to buy on Gazebo, I have bought it to enjoy it for forever and for my children to enjoy.
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Great , wonderful and Fantastic ! I love this tv series , characters , story and adventure. I love Sarah and this series will never be boring . I firmly suggest to those who haven't watched it yet , try it . Since the beginning of this series, you'll be keen of it.
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dszabo-5313627 March 2024"Road to Avonlea" captures the essence of picturesque storytelling with its charming depiction of life in early 20th century Canada. Set against the backdrop of the idyllic town of Avonlea, the series beautifully weaves together intricate narratives filled with heartwarming moments and captivating characters. From its lush cinematography to its evocative soundtrack, every aspect of the show is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. The intertwining plotlines effortlessly blend drama, romance, and humor, creating a captivating viewing experience for audiences of all ages. With its nostalgic appeal and timeless themes, "Road to Avonlea" is a delightful journey worth embarking on, earning it a solid 9 out of 10 rating.
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Monkshood24 October 1999WOW! This show brought you into a world of hopes and dreams. It told you about the lives of children growing up in a small town in the early 1900's and how their lives changed as they grew and matured. Whether struggling with romance, stains on clothes, or strange family members, they always kept a smile on your face. They brought us memorable moments, like weddings, births and just sweet comments and apologies.
Anyway, it is one of the best shows (IMHO) ever made. It will always remain 'so dear to our hearts'. -
clasik126 September 1999Avonlea is a quality show for the family. Set in the Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island (actually filmed in Ontario) this show is based on the characters developed by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The beautiful Canadian scenery inspires you to dream of one day traveling to see this peaceful place. The series is rich with drama, comedy, and delightful characters that you, the viewer, will identify with. (My family surely identified with certain characters: I was like Hetty the spinster schoolteacher, my sister was like Olivia King Dale, and my mom reminded me of Janet King!) The shows will touch your heart...Sarah's new life at Rose Cottage, the romances of Olivia and Jasper, Felicity and Gus, Cecily's TB, Alec and Janet's late arrival! The fine Canadian actors are to be commended for making Avonlea a show to look forward to watching each week! I was sorry to see this fine series come to an end. It was a pleasure to watch.
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elizabethbennett16 October 2002As a fan of Lucy Maude Montgomery, I really appreciated this show. It is one about family and values during the early part of the 20th century. It is a show of romance and innocence that can be appreciated at any age. A good show for all. I had the opportunity to visit PEI this past summer and see Avonlea and Green Gables. It was magical! Awesome show!
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My public library has the 3-disk DVD set of the first season of "Tales from Avonlea". Sarah was supposed to be 10, but young actress Sarah Polley looks more like 8. It is remarkable that a series would be built around such a young actress, but it works because she is so good and so believable.
The first episode on the disk recounts how Sarah ended up in Avonlea, a rural town on Prince Edward Island, a far cry from her home of privilege and wealth in Montreal. Her mother had become sick and died when Sarah was only a small child, and since then she had been cared for by her dad Blair Stanley, with the help of a very protective governess.
When some business criminal charges are brought against Mr. Stanley, he makes arrangements for young Sarah to go live, temporarily, with aunts, uncles, and cousins in Avonlea. Of course, if convicted and imprisoned, it could be longer than temporary.
Naturally young Sarah travels to Avonlea with her governess, who expected to stay with Sarah. "Show me to my room, please, and bring those bags." But the governess was met with a rather rude welcome, no place for her and she was made to leave. Young Sarah had to fend for herself for the first time. But being smart, capable and resilient, young Sarah does just fine. She does more than just fine and becomes a fixture in Avonlea, creating her own lore.
This is a very fine TV series, with good stories and good acting. Of course young Sarah Polley, who has grown into a very fine adult actress, easily carries the series with her fine acting.