Rating: 
Summary: My Review of Little Women
Review: The book, Little Women, was written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868-1869, which was an autobiographical novel of her childhood. The poverty stricken family portrayed in the book and later in movies was a reflection of her family's economics. During Louisa's writing development she was tutored by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. So it is no surprise that her book, Little Women, a family classic, that three movie versions would immortalize her novel on screen.My favorite version of this novel is the second version that was made and released in 1949. Andrew Solt, Sarah Y. Mason & Victor Heerman, wrote the screenplay. I rate this family classic a 5 and the reason being is that there are few movies that offer a comparable high quality portrayal of the strong moral fiber and compassionate and genuine nature of the characters of the novel. The first version starring Katherine Hepburn was released in 1933 and the third version starring Wynona Ryder among others was released in 1994. The second version's cast included the March sisters, June Allison as Jo, Janet Leigh as Meg, Elizabeth Taylor as Amy, Margaret O'Brien as Beth and Mary Astor as Marmee March, the mother and matriarch. Also Peter Lawford played Laurie, the rich neighbor boy who befriended the March family for life and Rossano Brazzi as Jo's beau. The March family finds themselves impoverished after Mr. March makes a bad investment with the family money. While Mr. March is away fighting in the Civil War the March women are left to fight their own war on poverty, to make ends meet, and keep the home fires burning. Women of this era were raised to be ladylike, gentile, and homemakers. However, as wars often require, these women rally to the challenge by taking on nanny and caretaker positions while Marmee volunteers her services to the sick and needy. The heroine, Jo, pursues her passion, writing, which is also not the norm for women of these times, which was also true of Louisa May Alcott who wrote pseudonymously. The book, the writer, and the movie versions have served as an inspiration of what a woman can aspire to and overcome and accomplish in her lifetime. I find courage and strength in her words. As Marmee says to Jo, "My dear, don't let the sun go down upon your anger; forgive each other, help each other, and begin again tomorrow."
Rating:
Summary: ALL OF THE ALCOTT CHARM
Review: This 1949 classic made such an impression on me as a young man that I have never really gotten over the charm of it. Held up to the Hepburn and Ryder versions, as wonderful as they are, it still sets the standard for excellence. The cast is perfect: June Allyson as a determined 'Jo', Elizabeth Taylor as a ravishing and spoiled Amy, Janet Leigh as the dependable Meg, and Margaret O'Brien as the fragil Beth. Peter Lawford makes an ideal 'boy next door' as Laurie and the chemistry with Jo and Laurie is sheer magic. Mary Astor is memorable as Marmee and Leon Ames gives a brief, but noble, characterization as their father. Rossano Brazzi is charismatic as Professor Behr and his scenes with June Allyson are a joy to behold. All of the Alcott sentiment is here, which tugs at the heartstrings, and the scenes with Beth and Laurie's grandfather (Sir C. Aubrey Smith) are about as sensitive and touching as as we have seen on the cinematic screen. Mervyn Leroy has given us a tapestry of delicate shading in each scene which comes across as a series of priceless paintings all gathered into one portfolio--and technicolor has never looked so good. The musical score adds warmth and cohesiveness to the excellent script. We have here a collection of memorable flashbacks which make it hard for the soul to relinquish. I think that Miss Alcott (the real Jo) would have been very pleased.
Rating:
Summary: Best ever
Review: This is my favorite movie ever. As a child i would sit and watch it almost every week. I didnt own it on VHS, but taped off the TV. As i got older as you can imagine, the tape did not last. I was happy to be able to get it on VHS, and i think this is a movie everyone must see, young and old!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie!
Review: This is one of my favourite books to movies. What is missing in the Ryder version is found here, so they compliment each other well. I would love to add this to my collection, but find videos outdated, at this point and time, like a cassette in a sea of CD's. Please put this lovely, timeless classic on DVD so all may enjoy! The four girls are perfectly cast in this version and though it does not have the visual richness of the Ryder version, it reminds one of a Victorian Christmas card! DVD please!
Rating:
Summary: Version Closest to Book
Review: This version of Louisa May Alcott's classic book, "Little Women," starring June Allyson, Janet Leigh, Liz Taylor and Margaret O'Brien, was the first remake of the film (which originally starred Kathryn Hepburn) and the version that is truest to the book. The Wynona Ryder film, the third and latest version, was seriously flawed, especially by the inclusion of "politically correct" and contemporary social views like the scene in which Ryder, playing Jo, expresses feminist sympathies to young men in a bar. I've read the book: there's nothing like that in it. In fact, the book is practically a morality play and in the earlier film versions the girls' struggle to improve their characters is portrayed, if somewhat lightly. These struggles, which are necessary to the accurate portrayal of each character and the time in which they lived, was totally deleted from the most recent version. Both the Hepburn version and the Allyson version use quite a bit of Alcott's original text in the screenplay and characters in both films follow the book almost to the proverbial "T." The Ryder film, on the other hand, is a blatant and successful attempt to "modernize" Louisa Alcott, resulting in a totally inferior production.
Rating:
Summary: Version Closest to Book
Review: This version of Louisa May Alcott's classic book, "Little Women," starring June Allyson, Janet Leigh, Liz Taylor and Margaret O'Brien, was the first remake of the film (which originally starred Kathryn Hepburn) and the version that is truest to the book. The Wynona Ryder film, the third and latest version, was seriously flawed, especially by the inclusion of "politically correct" and contemporary social views like the scene in which Ryder, playing Jo, expresses feminist sympathies to young men in a bar. I've read the book: there's nothing like that in it. In fact, the book is practically a morality play and in the earlier film versions the girls' struggle to improve their characters is portrayed, if somewhat lightly. These struggles, which are necessary to the accurate portrayal of each character and the time in which they lived, was totally deleted from the most recent version. Both the Hepburn version and the Allyson version use quite a bit of Alcott's original text in the screenplay and characters in both films follow the book almost to the proverbial "T." The Ryder film, on the other hand, is a blatant and successful attempt to "modernize" Louisa Alcott, resulting in a totally inferior production.
Rating:
Summary: Best Ever!
Review: This was the first Little Women video I saw, and it was-and still is-my favorite. I loved the cast they picked. Meg is so lovley, it's no wonder Mr. Brooke fell in love at first sight! Elizabeth Taylor made an eccelant Amy, although she did look better when she was older. Margret O'Brien was the perfect Beth, and played her part so well that you could harldy tell she was acting. June Allyson is my absolute favorite Jo. She was perfect! And Aunt March was as fussy and figity as you could wish. If I were you, I would get this version instead of the Wynona Ryder one. The cast in that movie is ugly!
Rating: 
Summary: Little Women Review 1949 Liz Taylor, June Allison
Review: We bought this movie because our 2 daughters age 9 and 11 absolutely love the book, and love the Little Women that was made more recently with Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon. We thought that it would be fun to see another version. I had heard that this older version was more lively and true to the time. I couldnt agree more. The scenery was absolutely lovely..the architecture of the homes amazing, and the costumes were fabulous. My girls sat glued to the television, loved the songs, and the way that "Amy" kept making up words. My girls enjoyed the fact that it was so similiar to the RYDER/SARADON video, but had fun pointing out the differences. What a great way to have fun with literature! The girls both read the book first and now are getting to enjoy the videos!. Im so glad that I bought it for them! Elizabeth Taylor is absolutely beautiful in this video, and although June Allison was pretty, she had kind of has an annoying brash way about her. "Made you want to smack her" is what my 11 year old kept saying...Not nice I know...haha Buy this movie for your family!
Rating:
Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air
Review: What a beautiful era! The movie guides us through the hardships and joys of a family that holds together through it all. June Allyson glows and one can't help but get caught up in her enthusiasm for life. I would have loved to have seen Jo and Laurie together in the end. The movie transported me to a beautiful time . . a gentle time.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely STUPID!!!!!
Review: What an insult! The makers of this movie are truly mean! They make fun of Amy and Jo, especially Amy, and are so very rude! They have turned the classic, heartwarming novel, my favorite of all time, to a hideous comedy! UGH!
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