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:

The story that has Lived in our hearts For generations, Now comes to the screen For the holidays

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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

Jo and Friedrich talk about the concept of transcendentalism, which Jo says her parents are staunch believers in. Bronson Alcott is both the father of transcendentalism and Louisa May Alcott, the writer of the Little Women novel.

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Goofs

When Beth comes back from the Hummel family's place she is sitting on the piano bench and at the piano that she then is given by Laurie's father the next Christmas.

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Quotes

Jo: [as Jo and Laurie dance awkwardly at Belle Gardner's ball] I'm sorry! Meg always makes me take the gentleman's part at home! It's a shame you don't know the lady's part!

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Connections

Referenced in The Critic: Lady Hawke (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing!"
Lyrics by Charles Wesley
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (as Felix Mendelssohn)

User Reviews

"Little Women" in it's own right

Though some may argue that the older classic versions of Little Women with Katherine Hepburn and June Allison may be better because it sticks to the book, this is the only version that captures the spirit of the book.

Though the filmmakers took license to cut away certain specifics, the end result is an absolutely gorgeous film that stands on it's own completely. One would be able to watch this film without ever having read or known the book and seen it as it's own film.

The film thrives on small scenes and nuances, moments of person to person contact, production design and cinematography, the all important score (which adds a great deal to the film). This delicate and complicated symbiosis between all aspects tactfully and poignantly creates the story, something missing from many movies these days which creates a tangible and effervescent emotional layer. Then the acting of one of the best ensembles to hit the screen in a long time. Keep an eye out for Susan Sarandon and Claire Daines in roles that ought to have been nominated along with Ryder. These actors create people that endear themselves to us, and make the film even more than it could have been.

It's a small scale masterpiece that will leave you in tears. The film is honest and true in it's portrayal of human emotion. It went from being an adaptation of the book to it's own story and portrayal of people and their lives. It's beautiful aesthetically and dramatically, and a real gem of a film.