Little Women **** (1994, Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Samantha Mathis, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Bale, Eric Stoltz, Mary Wickes, Gabriel Byrne, John Neville) – Classic Movie Review 419

After several previous famous movie versions, notably the 1933 Little Women with Katharine Hepburn and the 1949 Little Women with Elizabeth Taylor, this is a most attractive, appealing and beautiful-looking 1994 version of Louisa May Alcott’s famous 1868 book about the domestic life of the March family at Orchard House in Civil War America.

With their father away fighting in the Civil War, sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their mother modest circumstances. Despite squabbles and tragedies, their family ties hold even when men friends start to become part of the household.

This extraordinarily handsome, self-consciously old-fashioned film gorgeously achieves the Forties Hollywood retro look. Winona Ryder (Jo), Trini Alvarado (Meg), Claire Danes (Beth), Samantha Mathis (older Amy) and Kirsten Dunst (younger Amy) are the Little Women. Christian Bale and Eric Stoltz are the Little Men, Laurie and John Brooke. It’s a great cast of the era.

The youngsters are cute and appealing if slightly on the dullish side with their performances, leaving the old-timers Mary Wickes (Aunt March), Susan Sarandon (as the mother, Marmee), Gabriel Byrne (professor Friedrich Bhaer) and John Neville (Mr Laurence) room to steal a delightful show quite effortlessly.

Director Gillian Armstrong handles it lovingly and with assured style, bringing it in with top production values and a high feel-good factor.

It was nominated for three Oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Winona Ryder), Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood) and Best Music, Original Score (Thomas Newman).

Also in the cast are Florence Patterson, Robin Collins, Corrie Clark, Rebecca Toolan, Curt Willington, Billie Pleffer, Louella Pleffer, Janne Mortil, Sarah Strange, Ahnee Boyce, Michele Goodger, Marco Roy, A J Unger, Janie Woods-Morris, Patricia Leith, Christine Lippa, Alan Robertson, Mar Andersons, Cameron Labine, Matthew Walker, Bethoe Shirkoff, Marilyn Norry, Andrea Libman, Tegan Moss, Janet Craig, Jay Brazeau, Donal Logue, Scott Bellis and John C Shaw.

Little Women is directed by Gillian Armstrong, runs 118 minutes, is made by Columbia Pictures and DiNovi Pictures, is released by Columbia, is written by Robin Swicord, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, is shot by Geoffrey Simpson, is produced by Denise DiNovi, is scored by Thomas Newman and is designed by Jan Roelfs.

It is shot mainly in British Columbia, Canada, but also in Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts.

It was remade yet again as Little Women in 2019.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 419 derekwinnert.com