Be prepared, however, for a large beaker of the milk of human kindness.
Little Women (1994)
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Synopsis: The fourth screen adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic 1869 novel, LITTLE WOMEN, is given a realistic and rounded treatment by screenwriter Jo Swicord and Australian director Gillian Armstrong, whose perspective emphasizes a feminist tone. The story chronicles the lives of a mother... The fourth screen adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic 1869 novel, LITTLE WOMEN, is given a realistic and rounded treatment by screenwriter Jo Swicord and Australian director Gillian Armstrong, whose perspective emphasizes a feminist tone. The story chronicles the lives of a mother and four daughters and their daily toils during the Civil War in the absence of their father, a Union army chaplain. Winona Ryder (in an Oscar-nominated performance) is vibrant as Jo, the least conventional of the sisters. Christian Bale captures the ebullience of their neighbor, Laurie, whose company Jo enjoys so much it seems inevitable that they will end up together. Kirsten Dunst (at age 12) gives a fiery performance as the younger Amy, proving even more willful than Jo; Claire Danes brings a mysterious otherworldliness to Beth. LITTLE WOMEN, touchingly rendered, has many subtle moments and an appropriately moving visual sense to accompany the narrative. Susan Sarandon and Gabriel Byrne also star in this well-crafted film. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Gabriel Byrne, Trini Alvarado, Samantha Mathis
DVD Info
Release:
Apr 9, 2006
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, Spanish, Portugese
- Dolby Surround - English
- Subtitles - English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Thai - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Gillian Anderson - Director
- Isolated Audio Track - 1. Musical score
- Featurette - 1. "Making Of"
- Deleted Scenes with Gillian Anderson - Director
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Historical timeline
- Costume and Set Design Gallery with comments from Colleen Atwood - Costume Designer
- Talent Files
- Production Notes
Additional Product:
- Limited edition book
Reviews
While adherents of the original will carp at some anachronistic themes, few will quibble about the quality of the performances.
Director Gillian Armstrong's feminist spin on classic material retains the moving humanity of Louisa May Alcott's novel while reworking it with welcome freshness.
Ladies, get out your hand-hemmed handkerchiefs for the loveliest Little Women ever on screen.
Vibrant and appealing screen interpretation of Louis May Alcott's classic story about family as an evolving energy field of love.
It is a tale of love, strength, and self-esteem, sentiments which rarely go out of fashion.
Ryder makes the character of Jo her own with a solid performance that takes her from girlhood to womanhood.
The story of Little Women is given a new breath of life with this film, and it is still as relevant about our place in the world and overcoming its man-made obstacles as it was when it was written.
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