Avonlea CD Review


Road To Avonlea: The Original Series Soundtrack
By Don Gillis

Length: 54:17

Tracks:
  1. The King Family
  2. Sara & Hetty
  3. Sara & Hetty; Hetty’s Attack
  4. Felicity & Gus
  5. Felicity’s Broken Heart
  6. Alex & Janet
  7. The Homecoming
  8. Sara’s Coming of Age
  9. Miss Stacey’s New Car
  10. Sara’s First Love
  11. A Broken Heart
  12. Felix & Blackie
  13. Felix’s New Job
  14. Hetty’s Long Lost Love
  15. A New Beginning
  16. Hetty’s High Horse
  17. Davey’s Undercover
  18. Davey & The Mermaid
  19. Steeple Chase
  20. The Winning Team
  21. Davey’s Adventure
  1. Rodeo
  2. Rodeo II
  3. The Marshall
  4. The Stunt Rider
  5. The Circus
  6. The Treasure
  7. The Countess
  8. So Long Ago
  9. Hornpipe
  10. The Secret
  11. The Wedding
  12. A Tropical Breeze
  13. Felicity Searches For Gus
  14. Felicity & Gus
  15. Journey To The South
  16. Felicity’s Panic
  17. Felicity’s Broken Heart
  18. Gus’ Journey
  19. Felicity’s Fussed
  20. Gus Arrival
Review:
Finally, three years after the “Road To Avonlea” series ended, a soundtrack has been produced and made available to the public. I have been looking forward to this event quite anxiously. Now that a score is available, I’m less than overwhelmed. The RTA soundtrack is rather a mixed bag as to what it offers.

Let’s begin with the positive. The CD contains over 54 minutes of music compiled in astounding 41 tracks! Needless to say most of the tracks are only a minute or two in length, with the shortest being :26 and the longest is 2:30. The CD cover is a beautiful shot of Jasper and Olivia’s wedding photo, and the inside cover contains a collage of images of the various characters.

Now with the not so great. I'm disappointed that the soundtrack only contains the music of Don Gillis. Most of his music comprises the latter half of the series, and almost the entire seventh season. Thus, the CD contains no episode opening music tracks or Gus Pike's theme. In fact, the score sounds like variations on one or two themes. Don Gillis scored much of Sullivan Entertainment's other series "Wind At My Back", and the music on this CD reminds me of that series.

Hopefully, Sullivan Entertainment will release another CD with music from the Avonlea series (they have already released two for "Wind At My Back"). Until then, enjoy this soundtrack, or watch reruns of the series.

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Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel - DVD Review

"Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel" is Sullivan Entertainment's follow-up to their award winning mini-series, "Anne of Green Gables." The sequel is actually comprised of several scenes from "Anne of Avonlea," "Anne of the Island" and "Anne of Windy Poplars." Thus, the mini-series is partly a retelling of the Anne books, and partly an interpretation of what Anne Shirley might have done in certain situations. The sequel takes place a few years after the events in "Anne of Green Gables." Anne is now a teacher, her friend Diane is getting married, and Gilbert Blythe is heading off to medical school.

The DVD is dual-layered, dual-sided and encoded in Dolby Digital Stereo. The menus are easy to navigate and scene access offers animated thumbnails. Picture quality on the DVD varies: some scenes are quite clear, while others suffer from excess image compression and artifacting (jagged edges). Sound quality is clear and legible but only stereo.

The special features included on this disc are really what makes the package shine. There are 3 short deleted scenes and a photo gallery included. Furthermore, the director's commentary features Kevin Sullivan who talks during the entire length of the production. He discusses set design, locations, costumes, cast and much more. The commentary alone justifies getting this disc.

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Anne of Green Gables - DVD Review

"Anne of Green Gables," the story that started it all. This version by Kevin Sullivan stays remarkably true to the book, and covers many of Anne's escapades over the first five years she is in Avonlea at Green Gables. Interestingly, many of the lesser cast members were later brought on board for the "Road to Avonlea" series.

The DVD is dual-layered, dual-sided and encoded in Dolby Digital Stereo. The static menus are easy to navigate. Picture quality on this remasteres disc is exceptional, with only a few noticably grainy scenes. Unfortunately, their is no subtitle option or "jump to a scene" available.

The special features included on this disc are few but still neat. First up is Megan Follow's screen tests showing the talent that landed the young actress the title role in the minseries. Next, there are several missing scenes that were included in the German release of the production, and highlight two German actors who play more significant roles in the series. A couple of cut scenes are also included, mostly because of technical difficulties (i.e., a fog machine churning out too much vapor; a fake grave marker falling over; etc.). Finally, there is a feature length commentary by Kevin Sullivan and an unamed woman who is probably one of the show's producers. Sullivan focuses on everything from shooting locations, adaptation from the book, working alongside the cast, and more. Needless to say, this commentary is a unique insight into this version of "Anne of Green Gables."

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