Orphaned Anne Shirley (Megan Follows) goes to live with spinster Marilla Cuthbert (Colleen Dewhurst) and her brother, Matthew (Richard Farnsworth). Unfortunately, a mistake had been made. Marilla had wanted a boy, and Anne had been sent instead. Ultimately the pair decides to keep Anne whom they’ve grown attached to. Anne is full of good intentions and mischief. She becomes “bosom friends” with Diana Berry (Schuyler Grant) and then inadvertently gets her drunk and is forbidden to see her any more. Anne has other mishaps which include turning her hair green while trying to dye the hated red black, falling off the shed ridgepole while taking a dare, and breaking her slate across Gilbert Blythe’s (Jonathan Crombie) head. Anne becomes an excellent student and devoted to her teacher, Miss Stacy (Marilyn Lightstone). Miss Stacy believes Anne should be sent to Queens, a special school where Anne can study to become a teacher. Gilbert attends, too. Both of them top all the other scholars from their native Prince Edward Island. Marilla and Matthew are so proud of “their girl”. Unfortunately, this triumph is soon followed by tragedy.