Whenever I face having to list my all-time favorite movies, I get a little troubled. I never know whether technicality allows me to include one of my favorite films, Anne of Green Gables (1985, dir. Kevin Sullivan). Technically this movie is a television adaptation (first aired on CBC) of the 1908 coming-of-age novel (which was semi-autobiographical) by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Is it a 'film' if it aired on television and not in a theater? I would say so, especially in the wake of streaming platforms releasing Oscar-winning films (simultaneously on both the small and large screen) in the past few years. Besides that small technicality, there is also the fact that it's actually a miniseries, as it aired in two episodes. I've decided that neither of these facts matter, and that these pointless, uninspired categorizations are the sort of conceptual prisons from which we all need to escape. So, for all those times that I failed to mention what is probably my second-favorite movie of all time, here are five reasons why it's worth the praise.

1. The Source Material

Naturally, most of the appeal and delight that springs from this movie is Montgomery’s original 1908 novel adapted for the film by Sullivan and co-writer Joe Wiesenfeld, who expertly capture the style of the dialogue, which ranges from poetic imagery to Wildean wit. Ingenious lines, such as Anne's description of herself as "Well in body, although considerably rumpled in spirit," are nothing short of victories for the English language. Practically every line of this film should be stitched onto a sampler and hung on the mantle. The story is elegantly simple, consisting of beautiful, hilarious, sad, and uplifting moments of Anne's upbringing in Avonlea. From Anne smashing her slate over Gilbert's head to Matthew buying twenty pounds of brown sugar while working up the courage to get Anne the puffed sleeved dress of her dreams, every iconic moment of the film is a treasure. While Anne's romantic interest is always lingering throughout the story, the overarching 'plot' of the story is not much more than moments from a life in a town. It's what you may expect from someone fictionalizing their own life, as Montgomery did, and it's the best kind of storytelling there is.

2. The Setting

Can you imagine having lived in a place your whole life, and yet still being so awestruck by its beauty that you can't help but write about it? Montgomery's descriptions of Avonlea are enthusiastic to the point that you may question their accuracy. As someone who has been to Cavendish on Prince Edward Island (the real-life inspiration for Avonlea), I can guarantee you that her words are accurate. Sullivan's film transports the audience to so many of the beautiful sights and landmarks of the island that inspired the author, bringing the viewers that much closer to Montgomery herself.

Prince Edward Island. This photo does no justice to how very red the cliffs are.

3. The Cast

This miniseries teems with fantastic actors who each bring something of their own to the iconic characters from the novel. Megan Follows is the only Anne for me. Sorry, Netflix’s Anne with an E (2017-2019). No matter how many adaptations I see, no one can match her otherworldliness and commitment to making Anne the passionate dreamer that she is. Follows matures with the character gracefully from hot-tempered teen-to-young-woman (the character ages four years throughout the two episodes) with a reverence for beauty (in both nature and the human spirit) and romance. Colleen Dewhurst's performance as Marilla is amazingly nuanced, with just the slightest look or gesture telling a thousand words, and Richard Farnsworth's Matthew is the sweetest, most heart-achingly adorable character in the history of film. Another notable performance is that of Patricia Hamilton's, as the outspoken local gossip Rachel Lynde (a role that Hamilton continued to play in various Sullivan productions from 1985 to 2008).

4. The Legacy

Following the Anne of Green Gables film's success, Sullivan created several follow-up films in the Anne series. Each films' quality varies, with none matching the original miniseries, but it's always fun to see what Rachel Lynde is up to every once in a while. In addition to Anne, Sullivan went on to make adaptations of other Montgomery properties. Most notably, the television series Road to Avonlea that aired on CBC from 1990 to 1996. An ultimate form of fanfiction, the series combined characters and storylines from several disparate works by Montgomery, along with original plotlines, and set the whole thing in Avonlea, with Anne characters like Marillia, Rachel Lynde, and Miss Stacey returning as recurring guests. The series is delightful, mixing the simple, nostalgic charm of Anne with a dash of adventure, and was quite successful in both Canada and the United States.

5. The Girl Herself

Where would we be without Anne Shirley, one of the most unique, beautiful, and iconic characters of all time? When I first saw this film at 9 or 10 years old, I never thought such a person could exist. Anne was like the most fantastic space alien I had ever seen, particularly with the combination of Montgomery's lyrical words and Follows' mesmerizing performance. I didn't believe any real person would dare to let themselves picture or openly appreciate absolute beauty, as wholeheartedly and unabashedly, as Anne does. Learning that Montgomery was mainly writing about herself in the character of Anne was nothing short of, as Anne might say, "thrilling." I will forever be grateful that Montgomery documented and published this beautiful piece of her soul. With no end in sight to the popularity of the story, I have hope that she can forever remain a spiritual inspiration. I mean, this was my nana's favorite story, plus it is mine (and, based on what I saw in PEI, the favorite of a considerable number of contemporary children as well), and Nana would have been 101 years old this year. That's some staying power!

What is your favorite moment in Anne of Green Gables? Which of the several adaptations of the novel do you think is the best? Let me know in the comments below, and mind your slate!