WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Little Women
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 15 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Susan Sarandon.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 1026
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $$34.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 118
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 7/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Gillian Armstrong
(Screenplay/Written By): Robin Swicord
(Story): NA
(Music): Thomas Newman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Jan Roelfs
(Visual Effects): NA
(Costume Designer): Colleen Atwood
(Editor): Nicholas Beauman
(Supervising Sound Editors): NA
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): Robin Swicord
(Producers): Denise DiNovi

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.82:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): SDDS (8) Digital
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, this beloved classic is brought to the screen once more (previously in 1933 and 1949). Ryder plays the tomboyish Jo, who in later years fulfills her dream of becoming a writer by chronicling the family’s story. The coming-of-age-saga follows the adventures of five sisters as they deal with their wartime struggles and the austere conventions of the time with humor and good grace. Under the guidance of their progressive and good hearted mother (Sarandon), the girls build an everlasting tribute to family unity.

LaserDisc Picture:
The matted 1.82:1 picture exhibits a natural period look with superb dimly lit interior scenes, rich and vibrant colors, and natural fleshtones. The picture is sharp and detailed with excellent contrast and absence of noise, grain and artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is shrill with an in-your-face excessively loud dialogue level which overpowers the other elements. Surround ambience is wanting as well as bass response.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: