“As filming of the three hour long production unfolded, amid endless scene changes, time shifts, and changes in production design, it was easy to lose track of the subtlety of the material,” Kevin writes. “Keeping my eye on the nuance of changes in relationships became a true collaboration between the performers and me, which continually benefitted the film.”
And he gives a specific example. Colleen Dewhurst, who played Marilla Cuthbert, knew the Anne material well as it was the first book her mother read to her when she was a little girl and Colleen continued to read all the Anne books. Kevin recalls that at one point, Colleen became concerned that, in the current script, Anne and Marilla’s relationship lost something after Matthew dies. She brought the book to Kevin and pointed out the following passage, which comes just after Matthew’s funeral, when Marilla speaks to Anne:
“It’s never been easy for me to say things out of my heart, but at times like this it’s easier. I love you as dear as if you were my own flesh and blood and you’ve been my joy and comfort ever since you came to Green Gables.”
Kevin recognized this scene in the novel as an important turning point in the relationship between Anne and Marilla. And so, under time constraints, Kevin wrote a scene for the actresses on set one morning. Viewers will remember the scene as one of the most emotional in the movie, when Marilla comforts a crying Anne in the middle of the night. It was shot in three takes in less than 45 minutes. Kevin recalls that the first performances of the scene were so powerful that they ended up going with the first take.
“The scene became a kind of talisman for me as to why Montgomery’s characters and story worked so well in a film adaptation; and why the literary work has remained so beloved by its readers.”
It was this collaboration between the actors, the crew and himself that made it possible for Montgomery’s depth to rise to the surface of the film.
Check back soon for an in-depth look at the casting of Megan Follows as Anne!
Sources: Anne of Green Gables (Centennial Edition)
Colleen Dewhurst: Her Autobiography
