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Little Women
Little Women “From the pen of Louisa May Alcott
  in 1868 to a 21st Century screenplay
  written by Greta Gerwig: the compelling
  story of the ups and downs of a family
  of four young ladies and their kind-
  hearted mother, waiting for their father
  to return from the American Civil War
  in the 1860s and making their way in
  the world, unfolds in Little Women...”

WHILE THEIR FATHER IS FIGHTING in the American Civil War, Jo (Saoirse Ronan: Lady Bird), Meg (Emma Watson: Beauty and the Beast), Amy (Florence Pugh: Midsommar) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen: Television's Sharp Objects) follow their own lives under the loving eye of Marmee (an outstanding Laura Dern: Marriage Story; Television's Big Little Lies) and the occasional interference of stern Aunt March (the fabulous Meryl Streep: The Post).

The film begins with Jo, the eldest, in New York City at the offices of Mr Dashwood (Tracy Letts) of Volcano Press, Robert Brothers Publishers. He wants her to write to a specific formula and she reluctantly agrees because she needs to earn money for her family.

“Little Women…
The much-loved story of
the March sisters
is brilliantly brought to
life by an extraordinary
cast in an opulent,
remarkable, sympathetic
adaptation preserving
the warmth, sensitivity
and appeal of
Louisa May Alcott’s
original novel...”
At the boarding house of Mrs Kirke (Mary Ann Plunkett), the charming Friedrich Bhaer (Louis Garrel) takes an interest in Jo, although he is critical of her published stories as he fears she is wasting her talent. He gives her a set of Shakespeare books, but their friendship cannot develop as she is called back home when her younger sister Beth becomes very ill.

In Paris with Aunt March, Amy seeks fame as an artist. Her aunt says she should find a suitably rich husband as Jo is a lost cause, Beth is sick and Meg's head has been turned by a penniless tutor.

Aunt March favours wealthy Fred Vaughn (Dash Barber), but Amy loves Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Timothée Chalamet: Call Me By Your Name), who lives with his grandfather (Chris Cooper: A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood). Laurie loves Jo, but she has turned him down; and he is now in Paris.

Meg has married Laurie's former tutor John Brooke (James Norton). They have little money, but on a whim while out with her friend Sallie Gardiner Moffat (Hadley Robinson), Meg buys fabric for a new dress instead of a coat for John and clothes for the children, causing John anguish.

Seven years earlier, with their father (Bob Odenkirk) a volunteer in the Union army, the four girls are at home with their mother and their housekeeper Hannah (Jayne Houdyshell). Although they are poor, their home is filled with plenty of love and laughter.

Jo writes plays for the family to perform but in an otherwise happy and close family, Jo and Amy fall out over a theatre trip. Amy takes revenge by burning Jo's writing and their feud almost causes a terrible tragedy. Later, Jo expected to go to France with Aunt March, but she decides to take Amy instead.

Generosity brings its own reward as Marmee and her girls give up their Christmas breakfast to take their food, warm clothes and blankets to a local family who are freezing and starving.

In her fictional life, Jo becomes her alter ego as she seeks to get her writing published while recalling her earlier years with her family and, as scenes switch flawlessly between the March's home life and their future as adults, tragedy for them is not far away.

Greta Gerwig has crafted a modern take on Little Women described as fresh, unique, timely and timeless. This fine adaptation of the classic masterpiece Little Women also takes inspiration from other Louisa May Alcott work. The much-loved story of the March sisters is brilliantly brought to life by an extraordinary cast in an opulent, remarkable, sympathetic adaptation preserving the warmth, sensitivity and appeal of Louisa May Alcott's original novel.

The Blu-ray, DVD and Digital releases take viewers deeper into the story of the March sisters with over 45 minutes of fascinating Bonus Features. Writer/Director Greta Gerwig led this modern adaptation of a literary classic with a magnificent cast, incredible art direction, elaborate costumes and set pieces, taking inspiration from Orchard House in Concord, where Louisa May Alcott lived and wrote Little Women.

Little Women also features: Lonnie Farmer as Concord Sales Clerk; Charlotte Kinder as Viola; Ana Kayne as Olivia; Edward Fletcher as Laurence's Servant; Sasha Frolova as Mrs Hummel; Jared Reinfeldt as Ned Moffat (archive footage); Ian Wallace as Moffat Bachelor; and Amber Leanne Rothberg as Young Meg.

Music is by Alexandre Desplat; Cinematography is by Yorick Le Saux; Produced by Amy Pascal pga, Denise DiNovi and Robin Swicord; Executive Produced by Adam Merims, Evelyn O'Neill, Rachel O'Connor and Arnon Milchan; and Written for the Screen and Directed by Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird), based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott.

* Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's UK release of Little Women is on Digital on 11 May 2020 and DVD and Blu-ray on 25 May 2020. Certificate: PG | Running Time: 135 Minutes.

Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Bonus Materials —

 A New Generation of Little Women: The superb cast recreated the beloved world of the March family with realism, humour and vulnerability | Making A Modern Classic: The film combines its modern elements, Kinetic camerawork and overlapping dialogue, with the historically-authentic bespoke costumes, sets and locations | Greta Gerwig: Women Making Art: Behind the Camera with Writer/Director Greta Gerwig; discover her process and how she applied her own style to the story | Hair & Make-Up Test Sequence: A lovely showcase featuring the outstanding costumes, hair and make-up crafted for the film | Little Women Behind The Scenes: Take a quick look behind the scenes on the set of Little Women | Orchard House, Home of Louisa May Alcott: Find out more about Louisa May Alcott and visit the real life Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts.

"Little Women… The much-loved story of the March sisters is brilliantly brought to life by an extraordinary cast in an opulent, remarkable, sympathetic adaptation preserving the warmth, sensitivity and appeal of Louisa May Alcott's original novel" — ***** Maggie Woods, MotorBar

***** Daily Mail, ***** Daily Mirror, ***** Empire, ***** Metro, ***** The Guardian, ***** The Independent, ***** The Sun, ***** Time Out
.