Stars: Winona Ryder, Gabriel Byrne, Trini Alvarado, Samantha Mathis, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, Eric Stoltz, Susan Sarandon, Mary Wickes, Susan Sarandon, Susan Sarandon, Mary Wickes

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Summary: An adaptation of the classic 1886 story by Louisa M. Alcott, of the four March sisters growing up in 19th century America.

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 emphasises 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 neighbour, 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.

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The flaws are easily forgiven in this beautiful version of Louisa May Alcott's novel. A stirring look at life in New England during the Civil War, Little Womenis a triumph for all involved. We follow one family as they split into the world, ending up with the most independent, the outspoken Jo (Winona Ryder). This time around, the dramatics and conclusions fall into place a little too well, instead of finding life's little accidents along the way. Everyone now looks a bit too cute and oh, so nice. As the matron, Marmee, Susan Sarandon kicks the film into a modern tone, creating a movie alive with a great feminine sprit. Kirsten Dunst (Interview with the Vampire) has another showy role. The young ensemble cast cannot be faulted, with Ryder beginning the movie in a role akin to light comedy and crescendos to a triumphant end worthy of an Oscar. --Doug Thomas

Aspect Ratio:	Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Featurette - 1. Behind the Scenes, Commentary - 1. Gillian Armstrong - Director, Deleted Scenes, Theatrical Trailer, Trivia Game, Historical Timeline, Filmographies, Costume & Production Photo Gallery
Year:	1994
Release Date:	February 18, 2002
Runtime:	113 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C D R 22462 C E
Keywords:	Classic, Women, Book, Little, General, Edition, Collectors, Wide, Screen, Drama, Period, Based, Collector's
Genre:	Drama