Little Women (1994)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Gillian Armstrong

Writers (WGA):

Louisa May Alcott (novel)
Robin Swicord (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 December 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Romance

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

1860s | Play | Affection | Curling | Low Life Writer

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

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. Abigail "Marmee" March
Florence Patterson	...	Hannah
Robin Collins	...	Carriage Boy
Corrie Clark	...	Belle Gardiner
Rebecca Toolan	...	Mrs. Gardiner

Also Known As:

Les quatre filles du Docteur March (Canada: French title)

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Austria:6 | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Christina Ricci auditioned for the part of young Amy, but the part went to Kirsten Dunst.

Goofs:

Continuity: Before running into Friedrich on the street, the hem of Jo's dress is soaked in mud. Afterward, in his apartment, it is clean.

Quotes:

Jo March: [uncovers John's eyes] Surprise!
Marmee: You have a daughter, John...
Hannah: ...And a son.
[Marmee and Hannah hands the twins to John]
Meg: Oh, Marmee, I can't believe you did this four times.
John Brooke: Yes, but never two at once, my darling.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'Girl, Interrupted' (#7.1)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Deck the Halls

Watching This Yields 'Rich' Results - A Wonderful Re-Make

"Rich" is the word I would best use to describe this movie. It's rich in cinematography with gorgeous scenery and interiors; rich in characters with all good-hearted men and women of character; rich in love for each whether its for family or for suitors and rich in storytelling. Yes, it's definitely more of a woman's movie than a man's, and not the sort of thing I would normally enjoy, but this movie was so well-done that I cannot say anything negative about it. In the modern-era of film-making (late '60s to today), it is always a pleasure to see a totally clean and nice movie. The cast is excellent. It's nice to see Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon play "wholesome" roles, something they don't always do, but they do it well here. Ryder is the star of this story although everyone gets decent screen time. Ryder's character - the more independent, feminist-type thinker - will always get preference anyway in a Hollywood film. My favorite of the "Little Women" was "Beth," the most kind and compassionate one. Claire Danes' innocent face won me over. The real beauty was the grown-up "Amy," played by Samantha Mathis. Most of her role, however, is seen as a young girl and played by Kirsten Dunst, who has gone on to become a pretty famous actress. The other sister is "Meg," who is a solid, conservative woman and is played by Trini Alvarado. Her role is the smallest of the four girls. Sarandon's "Mrs. Abagail 'Marmee' March," holds everyone together as the mother and head of the household while her husband is off fighting at War. She looks more like an older sister. I liked the March daughters' suitors in here, too. First there was "Laurie" or "Teddy" as he also was called by the girls. A young Christian Bale played him. Then there was Gabriel Byrne as "Friedrich Bhaer." It was a bit strange hearing this Irishman play a part that required a German accent. Eric Stoltz plays Meg's future husband, "John Brooke." He starts off as someone with a very stiff personality but soon changes into a warm and good husband. If this film appears slow in the first 20-30 minutes, hang in there because it gets better and better as it goes along. This is just a beautiful film with fantastic visuals and memorable story that should bring a tear or two to your eyes by the end. Great storytelling usually wins out, and that's the case with this movie.