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.

LITTLE WOMEN is based on Louisa May Alcott's classic 1869 novel about a family's struggles during the Civil War while the father, a Union army chaplain, is away. Together, the mother (Susan Sarandon) and her four daughters face hardships, love, and grief while helping each other realize their hopes and dreams. The fourth, latest cinematic version of the much-loved book follows the adventures and romances of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March as they grow up and become young women. Winona Ryder was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Jo; other supporting players include Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Bale, and Gabriel Byrne.

Theatrical release: December 1994.

The locations for LITTLE WOMEN included Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, British Columbia; Cobble Hill, British Columbia; Deerfield, Massachusetts; and Orchard House, Concord, Massachussets.

DVD Features

Region (unknown)
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
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

Susan Sarandon: American Actress, ATLANTIC CITY (1981)
Winona Ryder: American Actress, BEETLEJUICE (1988)
Gabriel Byrne: Irish Actor - Miller's Crossing/The Man in the Iron Mask
Trini Alvarado: American Actress, LITTLE WOMEN (1994)
Samantha Mathis: Actress, PUMP UP THE VOLUME, BROKEN ARROW (1996)
Claire Danes: American Actress, LITTLE WOMEN (1994)
Mary Wickes: American character actress
Kirsten Dunst: American actor, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE/BRING IT ON
Christian Bale: Welsh actor
Eric Stoltz: Born in Whittier, California
Nigel Hawthorne: British Actor, THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE (1995)
Hatty Jones: Child actress, "Madeline"
Frances McDormand: American Actress

Gillian Armstrong: Australian Director

"...Armstrong's enchantingly pretty film is so potent that it prompts a rush of recognition from the opening frame....[Ryder] plays Jo with spark and confidence..."
"...Winona Ryder is a delightfully rompish Jo..." -- 4 out of 4 stars
"...[A] glowing new adaptation....Accessibly, appealingly contemporary..." -- Rating: A
"...Beguiling....LITTLE WOMEN brings alive the past so vividly but perceives it through a contemporary sensibility so acute that you have the feeling that you're watching life unfolding before you..."
"...[The actresses create] the warmth and familiarity of a real family..."