Type in Little Women as a title search at the Internet Movie Database and you'll find that Louisa May Alcott's classic novel about four sisters coming of age during the Civil War era has had quite a number of film incarnations over the decades. These include this curious 1978 NBC miniseries recently released on DVD. It seems to have been edited to run two nights; each episode filling out one disc in this set released by Koch Vision. I've seen a couple film adaptations of Alcott's work before, and while this miniseries isn't as good as the others, I can say that, at 194 minutes, it's probably the most thorough. If you're a fan of the novel, it's at least worth sitting through.

Perhaps the most notable aspect about this version of Little Women is its cast. Headlining the series were two television stalwarts: Meredith Baxter Birney, who would later star as the mother in the 1980s hit sitcom Family Ties, and Susan Dey, who would later appear in the long running drama L.A. Law. Both are fine in their roles as the two oldest sisters in the March family, Meg and Jo respectively. Susan Dey is especially good as Jo, though why she receives second billing to Birney even though she is the main character, I'm not sure. The casting of William Shatner as the professor was, well, interesting, and while his German accent is almost farcical, he gives it his best and plays it surprisingly straight. No over-the-top ham from good ol' Captain Kirk here. Star Trek fans might also want to take note that John de Lancie [Q] has a bit role here as one of the youngest sister Amy's suitors. The only true negative to the cast is Ann Dusenberry, who is jaw-droppingly awful as Amy. When she falls through some thin ice while skating during the first half of the film, you'll find yourself rooting for the frigid water to do her in. Trust me.

According to the back cover of the DVD case, this miniseries won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction. While I found the series to be a bit set-bound at times, particularly in the first half, I will admit that much of the outdoor locales used primarily in the second half were nice and scenic. There's a well-shot scene between Jo and her dying sister Beth, played by Eve Plumb of The Brady Bunch, on a beach that was poignant and effective. The sets themselves were nicely designed, aside from an unconvincing winter pond environment that was clearly staged and rather hokey.

I've never read Alcott's novel, but having seen other film versions, this seems like an authentic adaptation with little that strays from the spirit of her work. There are some minor details that seem different with the ending compared to other film versions, though I have no way of knowing which version is the most accurate.

The DVD

Video:

Little Women is presented in a 4x3 full frame aspect ratio reflecting its original television broadcast. The picture lacks detail, but is clean and serviceable, and probably about as best as you can expect considering its 1970s TV roots. Stops for commercial breaks are denoted with very brief black pauses. Beginning and end credits appear on each of the discs reflecting the two episode format of the miniseries' original broadcast.

Sound:

Little Women has a Dolby Digital audio track clear enough to make out when lines were dubbed in. It's the only audio option on the disc.

Extras:

As with other mini-series I've seen from this era on DVD like The Martian Chronicles, there are absolutely no extras on either disc of Little Women - just the miniseries itself and a menu. The lack of extras is a shame, but I suppose it's good just to get a release for material like this, considering its limited audience and appeal.

Final Thoughts:

This NBC television miniseries, while in some ways limited in production values, certainly treated its well-considered source novel with respect. At 194 minutes, I can only recommend it to die-hard fans of Alcott's work. The 1994 version with Winona Ryder and Claire Danes, and the old 1933 version with Katharine Hepburn {both also available on DVD} remain the gold standards of film adaptations of this book and the two I prefer.

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