Little Women (1994)

The March sisters live and grow in post-Civil War America.

Director:

Gillian Armstrong

Writers:

Louisa May Alcott (novel), Robin Swicord (screenplay)

Stars:

Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Winona Ryder	...	Jo March
Gabriel Byrne	...	Friedrich Bhaer
Trini Alvarado	...	Meg March
Samantha Mathis	...	Older Amy March
Kirsten Dunst	...	Younger Amy March
Claire Danes	...	Beth March
Christian Bale	...	Laurie
Eric Stoltz	...	John Brooke
John Neville	...	Mr. Laurence
Mary Wickes	...	Aunt March
Susan Sarandon	...	Mrs. March
Florence Paterson	...	Hannah
Robin Collins	...	Carriage Boy
Corrie Clark	...	Belle Gardiner
Rebecca Toolan	...	Mrs. Gardiner

Storyline

With their father away fighting in the Civil War, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their mother in somewhat reduced circumstances. They are a close family who inevitably have their squabbles and tragedies. But the bond holds even when, later, men friends start to become a part of the household.

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Plot Keywords:

writing | singing | horse and carriage | neighbor | piano | 

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Taglines:

Save a place in your heart for the unforgettable story of these... LITTLE WOMEN

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for two uses of mild language

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

21 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mujercitas

Filming Locations:

Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£3,129,439 (UK) (19 May 1995)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, DiNovi Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Costumes are handed down from older sister to younger, to underline both the family's poverty and the connections between sisters. Jo's red plaid dress worn to the ball where she meets Laurie is worn the following Christmas by Beth when she comes down the stairs after being ill; Jo and Beth are close to each other, as Meg and Amy are close to each other. Meg's blue striped dress that she doesn't end up wearing to Belle Gardiner's debut ball is worn years later by Amy in the scene where she announces she's going to Europe with Aunt March.

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Goofs

The opera which Jo and Frederick watch is Bizet's "Pearl Fishers", which was first performed in Paris in 1863. However, the opera was not performed in the U.S. until 1892, long after the action of the film.

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Quotes

Jo: Friedrich, this is what I write. My apologies if it fails to live up to your high standards.
Friedrich Bhaer: Jo, there is more to you than this. If you have the courage to write it.

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Connections

Referenced in Game On: Episode #3.2 (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Orchard House"
(Opening Theme)
By Thomas Newman

User Reviews

This timeless classic pulls at the heart strings.

A film so beautiful, lovely, and true that it will remain in your heart long after. All the parts played flawlessly, a location which is evocative of Alcott's beloved Concord, Massachusetts. Family life at its best. I highly recommend this film and the book written by Louisa May Alcott. They are timeless classics.