A Columbia Pictures Release
A Di Novi Production
A Gillian Armstrong Film
Gabriel Byrne
Trini Alvarado
Samantha
Mathis
Christian
Bale
Eric Stoltz
John Neville
Mary Wickes
and Susan Sarandon
Based
On The Novel By Louisa May Alcott
It´s not possible to link directly to the entry. Please search by author for the script.
Screenplay by Robin Swicord
Produced by Denise Di Novi
Directed by Gillian Armstrong
Rating PG
Story :
Times are hard for the March sisters , with their father away at war and the family´s lack of money. But the girls - Meg , Jo , Beth and Amy - let their enthusiasm and good nature shine through their troubles , and bring gaiety to their own lives and those of the people around them.
(five reels of five possible - highest rating)
Veggie says : Film of the year !
I didn´t mention this motion-picture in my movie-charts , because I actually haven´t watched it in a cinema , but as a video-tape (that´s what the Academy-members do with the nominated oscar-movies). I don´t even know how I got in touch with this film. I think it all began by reading an old movie-magazine. The film-critics happened to go along with a Winona Ryder interview. As a regular Winona-Fan I became very curious. The story alone seemed not to be too interesting to me. I read , it was written for girls. I almost forgot about it , until I went to watch "William Shakespeare´s Romeo & Juliet" (a friend told me I had to see it). This was the second time I heard of Claire Danes ("My So-Called Life" wasn´t broadcasted at that time). Actually I wasn´t really searching for the "Little Women"-tape , but one day I came into a shop that closed down. It was one week after the sell-out had begun , so there wasn´t too much choice anyway. I took a look at the few videos , that seemed to attract nobody. I was astonished to find a film called "Betty und ihre Schwestern" (transl.: Betty and her sisters) that matched the contents of Louisa May Alcotts novel. I couldn´t help buying it. As nobody wanted to join me , I watched it that very evening alone.
To make a long story short : Since April 1997 I enjoyed "Little Women" nine times so far. And in November 97 I had had purchased the great soundtrack.
I can only encourage people too see this great opus and read the books "Little Women" and "Good Wives" , on which it bases.
Pictures :
Getting a letter from
their father wishing them a merry Christmas. Mr. March tells that he´s
fine , but can´t come home , because the battle still rages on. Jo
wishes to be a boy , to join the army and help her papa.
The March Sisters on their way
to the Hummels , a poor German family. It´s Christmas morning , and
the girls prepared for a large breakfast , when their mother comes in and
askes them , if they want to share it with the Hummels , who have nothing
to eat. With a heavy heart they agree. Nevertheless a jolly set leaves
home , thinking of the good deed.
Beth
and Jo discover the Laurence Boy , while enjoying themselves in the attic
by performing plays with their sisters.
Jo
prepares Meg´s Hair for the party that night. They wouldn´t
laugh if they knew what happens ...
Jo hides from the cheerful crowd behind a curtain because of her stained dress. There she happens to meet Teddy. They soon become friends and are having a gay time at chatting and dancing.
Snowplay : Laurie pulls the sleigh , while the girls enjoy the ride.
After
a quarrel between Amy and Jo. Jo wouldn´t let go Amy to a party ,
Amy is very angry and burns Jo beloved script. Jo declares never to speak
to Amy again and won´t forgive her. The next day Jo goes skating
with Laurie. Although she knows the ice is rather thin she doesn´t
warn Amy , who is running behind her. Amy breaks through the ice and sinks.
Jo and Laurie safe her and take her home. Amy is lucky and doesn´t
even get a cold. Jo forgives Amy her failure immediately when Amy askes
her if she still loves her.
Beth suffers from scarlet-fever
. Amy is sent away from home for her own protection. She asks Laurie ,
who accompanies her on her way to Aunt March , to give her belongings to
her sisters if she dies , and complains , that she´s never been kissed.
Laurie promises Amy to kiss her before she dies.
After the wedding of Meg and
John Brook , Lauries former teacher , Amy leaves with Aunt March for Europe.
Jo is despaired , because she doesn´t want to stay at home alone
with Beth. So her mother sends her to an old friend in New York.
Meanwhile Teddy meets Amy and
Aunt March in Paris.
By clicking on the picture you´ll get a different, also very nice one. It tells a lot of what happens next in the story. 
Not to be continued ! Read or see the story´s end yourself !
Sarah´s Incredibly Great Site
Rekha´s Site
I don´t know the name of the owner, but there are some great pages about L.M.Alcott as well (also in german)
