I’ve been curious about the Emily of New Moon television series for some time. It originally aired in 1998 and ran for four seasons. I’d never actually seen it though until Amazon ran a special I couldn’t resist. (You can get it on Amazon for less than $10 as of this moment!. THAT was a deal I absolutely wasn’t about to pass up and I eagerly awaited its arrival in my mailbox.
Being an avid Anne fan, and a Lucy Maud Montgomery fan in general, I was looking forward to seeing Emily brought to life on screen. And I wasn’t disappointed. And I was disappointed. Now, I’m writing this review of the series without having even completed watching the entire first season. I’ve seen half of it so far and it’s slow moving, primarily because of the spiritual nature that Salter Street Films decided to hone in on. I know Emily is a darker story in nature (compared to Anne) but I think they went a little overboard with Emily’s interest in the spiritual realm. If I were to summarize all of the episodes I have seen so far I would say that Emily can be summed up in these four words: “I see dead people.” She is forever seeing and talking to the dead in a rather creepy way. She doesn’t just send letter to her dead father, “To Douglas Starr, on the road to Heaven” but she interacts with many Murray relatives as they roam around the graveyard, as well as with non-relations. Now, in the books Emily does have visions and learns the story of what happened to her friend Ilse’s mother in a rather unusual way. But they overplayed it (horribly so) for the television audience. Emily is a really creepy sort of girl. It makes it hard to sit and watch this series for pleasure because I don’t find that form of spiritualism to be a real comfort. In fact, I think that they went so far with Emily talking to the dead, that I would offer a strong caution against watching this series with anyone under the age of 12 who you wouldn’t really want dealing with the idea of spirits and the spirit realm. If I had a daughter (which I don’t), I would not give her free reign when it comes to watching the Emily series. Without a daughter, and the choice of using my free time on Emily, I can’t say I’ve been all that thrilled to watch it just for myself. Morbid curiosity drives me onward, if anything at all.
That said, I know that there are a great number of people who prefer Emily’s darker side because they feel that she is more easy to relate to than the bright, sparkly Anne of Green Gables (my personal preference). I will say this for the Emily tv series: they used local children to star in the series and it was filmed on Prince Edward Island and you can tell. (I love that!) The acting isn’t exactly stellar, however, you DO like the people you are supposed to like and equally despise the people you are supposed to despise. Your feelings about each individual character grow at exactly the right pace. Exactly. I find that amazing. It’s not a Kevin Sullivan presentation, but if you like Emily and want to dive into this series and live it more fully, I won’t say that this is outright bad. I’m holding myself back from that (despite my concerns) because my feelings towards Aunt Elizabeth, Cousin Jimmy, Perry Miller are all right on. (Truthfully, the only character that has given me pause is Ilse, but that primarily has to do with the fact that I pictured her older in my mind’s eye.)
I give this series an “eehhh.” No thumbs up, no thumbs down. It’s Montgomery. What did you expect me to say? (I have stronger opinions to dish out on things which are blatantly anti-Montgomery like that Anne heresy they call “The Continuing Story.”)
If you have a passion for Lucy Maud’s Characters, I invite you to join me in the second annual Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge which I will be hosting at Reading to Know during the month of January. Track with me at Reading to Know to learn more information. I feel like the best way for me to ease into a new reading year is to spend time with some of my best friends. I’m looking forward to visiting a bit with Anne, but welcome you to read whichever Montgomery book you like! Grab a button and join in on the fun, come January!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library and obsesses about Anne of Green Gables continuously in real life.
edj says
Nope. Nope. Just can’t do it. I HATED with a white-hot passionate hatred what they did to Anne on television. I will keep Emily and her purple-grey eyes and long lashes in my head, thankyouverymuch. WHY must they film classic children’s literature? WHY?
Lindsey says
I just recently watched a bunch of the Emily of New Moon episodes and I really wasn’t sure what to think. I absolutely love Anne myself, both the TV version and the books (the books especially though, of course). It was kind of hard to watch this Emily of New Moon… I wondered where L.M. Montgomery was in it. I was a little turned off by how depressing it seemed, though I didn’t hate it. I keep thinking that I’ll enjoy it more if I watch the entire thing. I still want to give it a chance. And I definitely want to read the books and do a comparison. I’m hoping it’s not too much like the TV show, lol.
Vanessa says
As an avid Montgomery fan and collector — I HATED EMILY THE TV SHOW. It was garbage. If you keep watching you’ll get to the lithium addiction that comes later on. Montgomery would have hated this TV series too. It is dark without charm. And, btw, the girl who plays Emily really doesn’t look like a pixie with her huge chin (sorry to insult physical characteristics) and she is so squeaky and brash and UN-Victorian. Awful. The biggest thumbs down ever. Worse than “The Stupids” starring Tom Arnold.
ds says
@Vanessa:
I just saw the Emily series on TV and hated it and wanted to find some outlet for my absolute disgust. I found your comments and have to say I agree with you 100%, especially your comment that LMM would have hated it and I would add that she would have been insulted to boot because as a reader I found it insulting. The Lithium (LAUDANAM) addiction of Laura was I agree unbelievably ridiculous but there were so many many others — Jimmy and his murderess girlfriend, Laura and her pregnancy and then her miscarriage (what else could possibly happen to this poor woman!), Emily trying to be a mail order bride and possibly the most ridiculous the balloon flying feminist going for Jimmy and Perry Miller as well, the stupid plots go on and on. I know it sounds crazy that I continued to watch it but it was out of a kind of fascinated horror to see what insane tangent the story would take and I have to say from this perspective the series did not disappoint. And it did inspire me to read the books just to reaffirm to myself that LMM could NEVER have written anything like this. Anyway, sorry for venting and thanks for your comments.
DS
CheeMiss says
At the risk of wrath from the thumbs down reviewers,
I DO LIKE EMILY OF NEW MOON!
Why, because the show is more realistic of that HARD ERA, than the “Fairy Land” of Anne of Green Gables. Don’t get me wrong. I do love Fairy Land viewing/reading. I really do.
But in this case scenario, comparing the two is just wrong. Anne offers fantasy & Emily offers realism…….PERIOD!
Both shows offer lessons/messages, depending on the mood & need.
Emily teaches to speak out & fight for your convictions. Rather than go with the flow, being seen & not heard, doing as your told regardless of the consequences.
As for the spiritual aspect. It reminds us to pay attention to hunches, gut feelings, dreams, etc., as there are messages within them, if we just took the time to Stop, Look & Listen. And one does not have to be spiritual in nature to do so. ie: scientists, inventors, business men, medical prof. etc.
You may not agree with this, but at times I feel like Lucy M., was writing about herself more with the Emily life than with the fantasy character of Anne’s life.
For those of you who do not have children & who think that if you did, that they would be the best, obedient little princesses or princes that you can imagine. Let me point out that reality is a whole other matter. When I was childless, I too thought that way. I ended up having a HUGE dose of reality once I did have children. lololololol
I only regret that they have not offered the 3rd & 4th season on DVD after so many years. Pity, a real pity.
The above is only my opinion and not meant to upset anyone.
Anne says
@edj: AWSOME SHOW! Why is everyone looking for Anne in Emily? I’m confused as to why you would compare the two. It’s like comparing Little Orphan Annie (the Orphan from the Ovaltine jar) to Anne of Green Gables. Yes, they are both orphans.
I found the show to be refreshingly realistic. I’m surprised to see such negative reviews! Unfortunately television is being created for the masses like McDonald’s fast food, leaving you full but not satisfied. I’m not looking for feel-good endings, and contrived, predictable dialogue. I loved the manner in which her dead ancestors were depicted, using color and costume to reflect the tone. I thought it to be a clever and artistic way to add a contempory feel to a period piece.
I’ve seen every episode, and watch it with my 6yr old daughter. This leads to important discussions regarding the fairness of life, and the way in which we should treat others (a necessary conversation). She has requested that I read the series to her as a result. It’s nice to see programming directed to girls that is based upon their own resolve, rather than tactics to catch a boy’s attention. Applause to all those involved in the creation of this jewel!
Vanessa says
A follow up comment: Montgomery did write Emily more out of her life than she did with Anne. And Emily is darker than Anne. But I don’t think this television series is representative of the text whatsoever. And I also don’t think that Anne is a fairyland either, in the books or the Sullivan film. Mrs. Hammond is certainly no fairy. But pioneer life doesn’t mean dismal, dark and wretched either. And while it’s great that Emily stands up for herself in the show, it’s not true to the period in any way and not true to the text either. Montgomery wrote Emily as rebellious in many ways, but also as part of the time in which she lived. If Montgomery had mouthed off at her relatives the way that Emily does in the TV series, she would have been physically punished very quickly and learned to be quiet. In the text, her rebellion is more non-verbal and works within her social confines. There is no subtlety in the Emily TV series, and none of Montgomery’s sense of beauty — the show should be true to the text, or not call itself Emily of New Moon. Instead, it should be “Bratty Whiner of Dark Dismal Island.”
Carrie, Reading to Know says
“Bratty Whiner of Dark Dismal Island.”
ROFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!
CheeMiss says
Quote from Vanessa’s post: And while it’s great that Emily stands up for herself in the show, it’s not true to the period in any way and not true to the text either.
A expressive kid can be from ANY era……period.
I do see your point Vanessa. I really do. You have read the books and the shows don’t live up to them. I too have found that with many, many movies, they rarely live up to the books. Many times I have been disappointed myself in my early youth. So I tried a test back in the 60’s. Don’t read a best seller book, wait for the movie. Guess what. I loved the movie, then bought the book and did NOT enjoy the book. hmmmm
What I learned was that books provided each person with their own individual interpretation due to individual imagination. Yet with the movies, their is no personal interpretation/imagination, it is a mass viewing of the directors interpretation/sensationalism/views etc.
I do understand your point tho. But for those that did not read the book 1st, well, they relate to the show in a different way.
Anne did DRONE on & on with all of her fantasies…..I imagined this or I imagined that….. totally exasperating. She was extremely fanciful.
Emily if more of a realist & problem solver rather than like Anne who gets herself into jack pot after jack pot due to her fanciful imagination. lolololo
Long story short, I became a movie buff. So for me, I really do enjoy Emily of New Moon.
Both Emily & Anne hold a special place in my heart as both personalities are so different from one another and both have much to offer.
But, if I had to choose between the 2 girls as a daughter…..I would chose Emily. An opinionated kid that can think her way out of a paper bag is more my cup of tea. lololololol
Moral to the story…..never watch the movies or TV shows after you’ve read the books, as they will always disappoint.
Again, the above is merely my opinion and should not be taken as a position of argument.
Vanessa says
This has really turned into an exciting conversation! While I am very opinionated (could you tell?), it’s great to hear other opinions too. I’m a movie buff myself — just spent yesterday explaining the joys of Busby Berkeley to a 17 year old — and while I agree that often a film doesn’t live up to the book, I don’t think I would like this series regardless of having read the books. It seems to take place in a strange version of the Canadian past that never really happened, where little girls got away with mouthing back to adults that never hit them, and where the sun never shone below the tops of the towering pines. It’s great that you like it — but no one makes a television show based on Montgomery’s work without thinking about appealing to her fan base, and knowing that, I think the producers really missed the mark.
Carrie, Reading to Know says
I chimed in (again) over at Reading to Know….
http://www.readingtoknow.com/2010/03/anne-vs-emily-and-other-things-we-can.html
CheeMiss says
Hi Carrie, in response to your quote re Emily’s pic: (Come on! You’ve gotta admit that the expression on Emily’s face here is just…a bit much, don’tcha think? 😉
I see a pic of a girl holding pen to paper, looking methodical…thinking about what to write. I do not see the nastiness that you see.
As for new comments made on old posts: If new comers are not allowed then the old posts should be closed.
I thoroughly enjoyed sharing opinions with Vanessa & I believe that she felt the same.
I DO LIKE EMILY OF NEW MOON & I DO LIKE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES although for 2 very different reasons. I am NOT prejudice to one over the other.
If the Emily show was so horrible, it certainly would have been cancelled in the 1st season. Instead it ran for 4 seasons. That in itself says it all.
The old posts were just bashing Emily. I thought that it would be nice to add a positive opinion. Sort of to balance out the scales. lolololol
Carrie, Reading to Know says
=D I think I’m a little misunderstood. I have no problems with people liking Emily. I’m just pointing out, all in good fun, that they share the same author who put herself into all of her characters. We’re all allowed our preferences!
CheeMiss says
Thank you Carrie…lololol, I was beginning to think that YOU were more like the image of the Emily that YOU created & bashed than you realized! lololololol. How does that old adage go? Me thinks thou protesteth to much. lolololololol (Friends please?)
In order to watch Emily, one must detach themselves from their attachment to Anne & to the book. I too had a WTF reaction when I caught one of the shows long ago. Then I told myself to clear my mind as this is a completely different character & not to stereotype. I gave the show a chance & got hooked. Unfortunately, life did not permit me to catch the entire series until now.
I finally found season 3 & 4 online & for FREE. Great stories.
For those that would like to view those shows, click on the link below.
http://www.jaroo.com/watch/emily-of-new-moon/episode/24
Vanessa, yes, Busby Berkeley did put on AMAZING, just AMAZING shows.
My friends laugh at me, because I am glued to the TCMC channel catching all the oldies. So many GREAT movies.
Nice talking to you ladies. I think we pretty much exhausted this topic.
debra gavin says
I love the series of Emily of New Moon. Once I started watching it, I couldn’t wait for the next day to watch it. Martha (Emily is a very talented and gifted actress) I hope they bring a fourth season of the show, wo we can see what happens to the cast as they have grown up. Please consider this for the fans of this fascinating, intriguing, and captivating show.
CheeMiss says
3rd & 4th Season of Emily of New Moon online & for FREE.
For those that would like to view those shows, click on the link below.
and also click on the little pic’s to the right of the large video….they too are videos of all the episodes.
http://www.jaroo.com/watch/emily-of-new-moon/episode/24
Vanessa says
@ ds you are my new best friend!
Bel says
I haven’t read the Emily books so I’m being introduced via the tv series. I love Emily and her earnestness. The depth of the characters’ life experiences overrides any of the previous comments regarding staying true to Victorian time or acting talent. The acting is equal to the task and the casting was right-on, especially true-to-herself-and-her-parents Emily.
I’ll read the books. I often see the movie; then read the book if the movie makes me want to, then cherish the experience of both.
Also, I’m curious about the actors now, 13? years later.
Tara says
I am an avid L.M. Montgomery fan, and I have given these television studios some credit for doing well in some aspects — even though Anne 3 makes me cringe with sheer hatred because they screwed up the story completely. I have even loved Road to Avonlea which butchers “The Story Girl.” However, I am at the point where I can truly say Lucy Maud Montgomery must be turning in her grave at what they’ve done to poor Emily. The first season was alright. It got me interested, but seriously, season 2 and beyond turned into a more… modern type of television trash! I will keep watching it out of a morbid curiousity, but I will NEVER let my children watch this show.
Silence Dogood (Jake) says
I agree with Carrie. Although I am not greatly familiar with Lucy Mont Montgomery’s literature, what I do know of her makes it clear that this series does not represent her. In our family, Emily of New Moon has often been referred to as Emily of New Creeps. I don’t mean to be biting in my criticism, but I have to admit, there were times in which I (an 18-year-old guy) was a little frightened at the turns that this childrens’ story has taken us. Although I love many of the characters (especially Jimmy), I can’t seem to come to grips with any lasting meaning communicated by the producers of this series to our children. To conclude, Emily of New Moon was a huge flop–to parents and kids alike.