3/5 Missed opportunity - If only someone would stick to the books?
  by E. W.
I have always loved the Emily trilogy, even more than the Anne books if that is possible, and was excited by the possibilities of this adaptation. I had been put off by the disaster of the last two Sullivan productions, which, after reading the appalling reviews, I refused to watch. Outwardly, this looked like it could well be a production where the makers have honoured the original work. Not so.
I watched the first two episodes with a mixture of bewilderment, satisfaction and regret.
In only the first two episiodes, we already have two characters that are completely made up (little first nations boy and Charles Dickens - what the dickens was he doing there?) The actor portraying Jimmy would have made a fabulous Dean Priest but is completely unlike the Jimmy in the book. Even Emily's enigmatic cats, Mike and Saucy Sal, have merged into one very unassuming looking, incongruously named "Pandora".
Emily's father, who dies of tuberculosis in the book, falls off a roof in a completely unnecessary "dramatic turn", and of course Emily's teacher is cruel and her father rebels against him - not in the book. Thus it goes on. In very unsubtle flashbacks, we see Emily's mother rocking in her rocking chair or running next to her in the landscape.
A few of the additions were actually conducive to the story, like Emily keeping her father's cardigan, and, less so, the beach scene in the beginning.
But why the dramatic hunt for the cat in the night? Why the Miss Havisham-like garret full of her mother's stuff? Is Emily eventually going to move up there? I thought it was a normal room her mother lived in an that was locked up since she eloped.
All in all, the makers obviously couldn't rein in their own imagination and thought the story didn't have enough "Umph", so they randomly added some.
What a shame. This could have been a delightful series: the costumes and props are OK, the scenery is grand, and even the actors are quite good. I will watch the rest just because I bought it, but I am not expecting much. Departure from a very successful and rounded book is seldom a good idea, this is no exception.

5/5 Emily is most enchanting!
  by B. M. Perez (Orlando, FL)
If you loved Anne of Green Gables and stories with spunky heroines, you will love Emily too!

I accidentally discovered this wonderful series while I was home from work recovering from surgery and was flipping through the channels looking for an alternative to the daytime soaps and talking heads.

What a find! Emily draws you in from the very first episode and develops each character in an exciting and delightful way. Just when you think you know everything there is to know - Surprise! I have enjoyed every single episode and my only complaint is that the other seasons are not yet avaialable on DVD. Until then . . . I am sharing my find with my family and friends and enjoying rewatching Emily do her magic!





5/5 Great Family Series.
  by kindred spirit (God's Country)
This series is very obviously the L Montgomery story line. It has many similarities to Anne of Avonlea and Anne of Green Gables. Emily is a bit more wild than Anne if you can imagine that. She has visions of the dead....I chose to call them a wild imagination and not to do with dark things.

She too lost both parents and is sent to live with relatives. A common theme with LM Montgomery. I wonder if she had such a childhood, I should look into that.

I enjoyed the series and the price here on Amazon is very good.

5/5 Reflections of childhood.. LOVE it!
  by centz (Scenery Hill, Pa USA)
I love it! Some of the ghosts and such in the story, is a bit much for my liking but over all it is a delightful series. Emily makes me smiles as she learns life lessons and the joys & struggles of family and frienship. I contacted the publishing company and they said season two is scheduled to be released in Dec. 2009. I do hope they will put season 3 and 4 out too. I would enjoy owning the entire 4 years.

5/5 Coss between Lil House & Soap Opera IMO...
  by T. Thayer (Conn.)
Recently I found this show on "Reg TV",on M-F 9am-10 on the "THIS" station,I started to watch when I noticed it was filmed on Prince Edward Island where my father grew up & the more I watched the more I liked watching it,now that I see only 4 seasons were made I'm kinda SAD,it's done so nice & the cast are very odd at times,Uncle jimmy reminds me of Forrest Gump,I think if you liked little House or adventures you will enjoy this show...