Original subtitles

♪way back when in 1863...

♪ Now part of the American lore...

♪ The young family must leave their home...

♪ Because of the civil war...

♪ Living their life in a brand new town...

♪ Doing the best they can...

♪Four little women are on their own...

♪Looking to make their stand...

♪ Fortunes of war can change the way...

♪ We imagine their lives will be...

♪The march family are on their way...

♪Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy...

Mr. Sutton: Two goes into three one time.

Two from three is one.

And then we bring down the two.

Two goes into 12 exactly 6 times, so the correct answer

to the question number 9 is 16.

You all did very well on the test.

Well now, since that was the last lesson of the semester,

I guess the only thing left i have to say is that I hope

you all have a wonderful summer.

Thanks, Mr. Sutton.

I love the summer.

Don't you?

Mr. Sutton, is it true you you're leaving and

you won't be teaching anymore?

Well, as a matter of fact, I'll be leaving tomorrow.

But why, Mr. Sutton?

I'm joining the army.

The union needs every good man they can get.

But you're the best teacher we got.

You're a wonderful group of children.

I only wish I could remain here at the school and be

your teacher next semester.

Very nice drawing, Amy, but i don't think you got the

nose quite right.

Our country is at war, and it's my patriotic duty to

defend it.

Amy's father has set an example for every one of us.

My brother said the same thing.

He just joined up.

You can be very proud of him, Jerry.

I'll miss all of you, but i have to join the fight

against the evil of slavery.

I can hardly believe it.

No school for three whole months.

Hooray for summer vacation!

It will make mama so happy.

I can't wait to tell her!

You almost killed me.

Why don't you watch where you're going?

What are you in such a hurry for anyway?

We got a letter from father today!

Oh! Have you shown it to mother.

If I had, I wouldn't be in such a hurry.

Hey! Wait for me! Mama will be so excited.

Where is she?

With Mrs. Spencer, the dress maker.

Excuse me.

Elderly woman: Oh!

Wait, Jo!

I declare you run faster than a... afternoon, ma'am.

Excuse me.

Oh!

Ugh!

One more pin should do it.

There we are.

Now I can let it out a bit if it's too tight.

I think it's fine.

Are you sure, Meg?

We don't want to have to let it out later.

Yes. It fits me perfectly.

I've got... oh!

Oh! Father's letter.

A letter?

It was just delivered a few minutes ago.

Oh.

I brought it over right away.

Meg, you're pretty as a picture.

Thanks, Jo.

We haven't had a letter from father in so long.

I can't wait to hear what he has to say!

Ooh!

Your father's coming back.

Oh, marmee!

Why, that's wonderful.

When will he get here?

He should be arriving this evening or

tomorrow morning.

Is something wrong?

Oh, Jo.

You're such a worrywart.

Why do you think that?

It seems awfully odd to me he's coming home

so suddenly.

Don't worry.

You see, girls, your father mailed this letter several

weeks past.

It took a long time getting here.

That's all.

That sort of thing happens

quite often nowadays.

All sorts of things have slowed down because of the war.

There. I think that will do it, Meg.

Golly!

Do you like it, Amy?

Uh-huh.

Amy!

What on earth are you doing here?

I wanted to hear father's letter.

Please don't be angry, mama.

I understand, dear.

After all it's been almost a year since we last heard

from him.

How wonderful that he's coming home.

Uh-huh.

That it is, but he won't be here for very long, so we

must make the most of it.

And now it's time you're getting home.

You still haven't done your chores today and it's

getting late.

Please, mama, couldn't I stay just a

little while?

Meg's dress is beautiful!

For just a little while then.

All right. Dear.

Thank you, mother.

Hmph.

Oh, Meg.

It's prettier than any of mine.

Move back out of the way, dear.

Amy?

Oh.

Turn around, dear.

Oh, marmee, isn't it grand.

That it is, dear.

That it is.

It's so beautiful!

Oh please, mother, please can I have one like that?

Amy dear, you won't be going to a formal dance for

another five years or so.

What about you, dear?

Now that you're 15 you'll be needing a formal gown.

Meg is the one who was invited to the Evans party.

Not me.

True.

But you'll be invited to other parties and dances

soon enough.

You're only a year younger than him.

It's time you had something pretty to wear.

If it were up to me, I'd wear trousers

and never a dress.

When you're done with Meg's fitting, I'd like Jo

to be fitted for a gown as well.

Certainly, Mrs. march.

Hmph!

I have a wonderful family, but being the

youngest of four sisters is awfully difficult sometimes.

Meg is 16.

She's very feminine and lady like and loves

pretty things.

Jo's 15 and kind of a tomboy.

And Beth is 13 and terribly sweet and kind and loves

music more than just about anything.

Papa is coming home.

That's wonderful!

Yeah!

I hope father will buy me a dress... oops!

As pretty as Meg's.

Won't it be grand seeing him again?

We've got to plan a special celebration for

his homecoming.

Oh!

We could celebrate by all going down to the dress shop

for a fitting.

Huh? You must be joking.

Huh-uh.

Hannah, we heard from father today.

He's coming home!

Well, it's about time.

We should have a really special dinner for his home

coming, so cook up all of his favorite things,

all right?

Sure.

Just tell me when he's coming back, and I'll have

them ready for him.

It could be this evening or tomorrow.

I hope he gets here tonight.

I can't wait to see him?

When he does come, I'll have my best roast beef

waiting for him with his favorite kind of potatoes

and gravy to go along with it.

We hadn't seen father for a year, and we

all missed him terribly, but there were other families

whose men folk had been gone even longer and would never

return at all.

But the war between the north and south was a bitter

struggle that took the lives of many brave men.

Meanwhile, the people back home prayed for the safe

return of their loved ones and carried on

as best they could.

Father Jones: You see that crack up there

in the steeple?

Oh dear.

When did that happen?

Father Jones: It was during the last storm.

It should be repaired right away, father Jones.

Uh-huh.

Unfortunately our church fund has all been donated

toward the war effort, Mrs. march.

The ladies auxiliary is coming soon so don't you

worry, father.

It's been a success every year, and I'm sure we'll

raise enough to make repairs.

Thank you, Mrs. march.

Oh!

Ow! Oh!

Jo, watch out!

Be careful.

Christopher Columbus, I've run downstairs a

million times and I always slip on the same one.

Give me a hand, Meg.

You are a tomboy.

Sorry.

You see, I thought i heard father at the door.

That's why I was in such a great hurry.

No, you don't!

Huh? Hmph.

My, my!

Doesn't that smell good!

You can't have any yet.

Oh, it's so pretty!

Everything has to be just right.

Father's coming home.

That letter was sent weeks ago, but he still isn't here.

Don't worry. He'll come.

But he should have been here by now.

He'll be here tonight.

I bet ya a dollar!

Gambling isn't ladylike, Jo.

How lovely you all look tonight.

Oh, you too, mother.

Thank you, mother.

You too, marmee.

We all wanted to look nice for father.

Oh.

Do you think he'll arrive tonight, mother?

According to his letter, there's a good chance

that he might.

But do you think he will, mother?

- Well, I... - Yes, mother?

Go on, mama.

What were you going to say?

I have a very strong feeling that he'll come tonight.

That's father!

I'm sure of it!

I'm afraid not.

Father wouldn't have to ring the bell in his own house.

He'd just come right in.

So it must be someone else.

Oh, I forgot about him.

Whom, dear?

I think it's Mr. Sutton, my school teacher, mama.

But why should Mr. Sutton come here?

Did you do something naughty in school today, Amy?

No. Nothing like that.

The reason he's here tonight is that he wants

to say goodbye.

What do you mean?

He's joining the army, mother.

Oh.

Coming.

If you want to see him, you better hurry.

Amy, why do you say that?

You mean you don't know?

Meg, you're the one he came to say goodbye to.

Me?

You talked with him at the Mitchell's party and

danced with him an awful lot.

I talked to him for ten minutes and danced

with him twice.

See? You do remember.

I thought you would.

So what?

What makes you think he cares about me?

Whatever he talks to me, he always ends up asking

questions about you?

What?

Well, tell me, Amy, how's your sister?

Uh, the oldest one, I mean.

Oh, come on, Meg.

You won't wait out there forever.

Hurry up.

Amy's right, Meg.

Huh?

Mr. Sutton believes just like father that freeing the

slaves is a cause worth fighting for.

I think he deserves a nice goodbye.

Don't you?

Well, go on.

I'm sorry I won't be here to attend the auxiliary

bazaar this year, Mrs. march.

Don't apologize.

What you're doing is far more important.

Thanks.

Hello.

Thanks again.

Amy tells me that you're leaving, Mr. Sutton.

That's right.

I've joined the army.

I know how strongly you believe in the cause of freedom.

Next time I see you I'll be in a uniform.

Well, I look forward to it.

Meg, I hope you mean that because I certainly look

forward to seeing you when I come back.

I know it's a lot to ask but may I call on you

when I return?

Uh... uh-huh.

I'll write you as soon as I return.

Goodbye, Meg.

Mrs. march.

Mr. Sutton.

Good night, Mr. Sutton.

Good night.

Well, well, well.

Father must have been delayed.

We'll have to start without him.

It smells wonderful.

Let's again, Hannah, before it all gets cold.

All righty.

Oh Meg, if only there were more time!

Don't make fun of what you don't understand.

I... I'm sorry, Meg.

It's hard to...

What's hard? What do you mean?

It's hard watching someone you care about going

off to fight knowing you may never see him again.

Uh-huh. Meg's right.

Your father's return after such a long time is a joyful

occasion which will make it all the more painful for us

when he has to leave again.

Thanks again!

Glory be!

Papa!

Good night.

Father!

Frederick!

Father!

Good evening.

Captain Frederick j. March at your service.

What a joy it is to be with my family once again.

Oh! But your arm.

You've been hurt.

I was really quite lucky.

A confederate shell exploded right next to me.

I caught a few pieces of shrapnel, but other than

that I'm fine.

Were you sent to the hospital?

Yes, Jo. I was.

They had to operate, you know.

But it's an ill wind that doesn't blow somebody good

as the saying goes.

Being injured is the reason i was given leave to come

home to my dear Mary and all my precious little women.

Oh, Frederick!

Frederick!

Oh, my dearest.

I've dreamed for this moment and prayed for it too, and

now my prayers have been answered and my dream

has come true.

Glory be!

I was so happy i felt like laughing and

crying at the same time.

I hadn't sat on father's lap for a whole year, and it was

the most splendid feeling on earth.

Being home again with my family has made me

the happiest man alive.

And the most thrilling thing is that you'll be here

for such a long time.

You won't be of any use to the army until your armed is

healed, and that will take at least a month.

Wounded or not, I must fight for what I believe in.

Freedom.

But you've been seriously injured, father.

They won't expect you to come back right away.

Fighting the slave holders are one arm is

better than not fighting at all.

Father, I feel so safe now that you're here with us.

I said a prayer for you every night while you were gone.

And I sent you my best wishes every day.

Thank goodness you did.

If you hadn't I wouldn't be here now, Beth.

I thought about you everyday, too.

As I thought about you.

But I know you had important things to think about.

So if you forgot me once in a while, I forgive you.

Well, almost every day.

My little women seemed to have grown up very quickly

this past year.

Your mother works very hard to make ends meet, and I

know you've all been pitching in as well as

helping Hannah whenever you can.

It's true.

You can't imagine how much support the girls

have given me.

They've worked extremely hard with never a complaint.

I couldn't have done it without their help.

Uh-huh.

I am proud of this family.

I suppose we've all worked a little bit harder,

but not nearly as hard as marmee has, and sometimes we

want something so much we get selfish and ask for the

impossible, making mother feel terrible for saying no.

Amy, you know what i mean, right?

Me? And what may I ask do you mean by that?

Oh, nothing in particular.

Hmph!

Saying Amy, you know what i mean sounds awfully

particular to me.

I think that we've all been selfish at one time

or another.

Oh really?

Then how come my name is the only one you happened

to mention?

You know very well what I'm talking about, Amy.

Say it!

You think I'm selfish because I asked mother for a

dress when Meg got one.

After all, Amy doesn't need a new dress.

She can't go to any dances.

She's too young.

I don't want to go to a dance.

I want some clothes that haven't been worn by anyone.

My sisters' hand-me-downs are all I ever get.

A new dress for Meg, eh?

What's the occasion?

The Evans are having a dance, dear, and Meg has

been invited to come.

Uh-huh.

Jo is getting a new dress as well.

I have no doubt she'll be receiving her own

invitations before long.

Uh-huh. Yes.

Jo is a young woman now.

She's not a child anymore.

I agree father, but I think you're wasting your time.

What I've seen, Jo would rather be a boy

than a girl.

That's not so, Amy.

I just want to be myself.

That's all.

And who would that be, Jo?

Well, father, this hand is going to write great

novels some day and great plays, too.

You're daughter Josephine is going to be a writer.

Well, this is a surprise.

Mary, did you know about this?

Yes, my dear.

I've known for quite some time.

Last Christmas, Jo wrote a play and the girls performed

it for the guests at our Christmas party.

Everyone thought it was wonderful, didn't they, Hannah?

Did they!

I thought they'd never stop clapping.

Well, I must say I'm proud of you, Jo.

Perhaps I can be here for the next one.

Does that mean you'll be able to come back

for Christmas?

I hope so, dear.

Now then, Amy?

Huh?

It appears to me you believe that you've grown up

enough to deserve new clothing of your own.

Huh?

Very well.

How about a new dress?

Oh father!

I might be guessing, mind you, but I think Amy

likes that idea.

Beth, would you like one, too?

No, thanks.

Not me.

Oh, come now, Beth.

Your sisters are all getting one.

Why shouldn't you have one, too?

I know, but...

Huh? But what?

There's something else I'd like instead.

And what might that be?

A picnic with the whole family.

You want a picnic?

Oh yes, father.

Very much.

We used to have a picnic every week before you left,

and they were ever so jolly.

Let's have fun again like we used to.

I see.

I suppose you haven't had much opportunity

for one lately.

Am I right?

Yes.

I know how shy you are, but I think it would help to

make some new friends.

I'm sure you're right, father.

I'll try.

Good.

We'll have a picnic tomorrow.

Yay!

Ugh. Ow!

Amy, what are you doing down on the floor like that?

She landed right in the middle of the puddle.

Sun is so warm.

Beth, this picnic idea of yours was a regularly

splendid idea.

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day.

My! Look at that.

Isn't that the cutest little foal you've ever seen?

She's terribly spoiled, though.

Look how she's pestering her mother.

She wants attention all the time.

Like someone else I know, huh?

Very funny!

It looks delicious.

Hannah made it this morning especially

for our picnic.

Cherry. My favorite kind.

I'll slice it for you.

Thanks, dear.

But I can manage.

I'm wounded but not helpless.

I can still slice a pie.

Father!

Uh-oh.

There. I've got it.

Father, you're making them all different sizes.

You want a hatchet?

I told you I could do it.

There!

It will still taste good.

Go ahead, Amy.

You start, and you may have the biggest piece.

Boy, I'm going to eat until I explode!

It was a perfect day for a picnic

and such jolly fun.

If only Jo hadn't climbed up that tree to see the view,

we would have stayed there all day long.

But what she saw made us change our plans in a hurry.

Lovely, isn't it?

What a pity if the war were to ruin it all.

But if that's the price we must pay to win, then pay

it we shall.

Keep looking.

You'll find one.

Huh?

Aha! Here's one, a four leave clover.

I found another one.

Oh! This is so unfair.

I want to find one, too!

Here, Amy.

You can have mine.

Oh, you really mean it?

Uh-huh.

I declare.

Would you look at that!

What a beautiful view.

Hey, those men at the river, they look... oh!

Whoa!

Ah!

Jo, be careful!

Oh dear!

Josephine march, you gave me the scare of my life!

Come down from there at once!

Yes, mother.

Oh!

You all right?

Yes.

Listen, father.

I saw a group of men.

They're watering horses down at the river.

They look like soldiers to me.

What? Are you sure?

Uh-huh.

Mary, I want you and the girls to wait for me

in the buggy.

But why?

I think those are confederate soldiers, dear.

What?

I've got to take a closer look to be

absolutely certain.

If I'm right, I'll have to report it to headquarters

I've got to get as close to them as I can.

Frederick, please be careful.

Yes. I will, dear.

Father, wait!

What is it?

I can help you, father.

With two of us, it will be safer than going

by yourself.

That's rough terrain for a man with a wounded arm.

You're right.

Be careful.

We'll be back before you know it.

Well, they're rebels all right.

Scouts.

Where's the rest of their army?

They'll be here soon enough.

They're main force is probably just a few miles

from here hid not somewhere in the woods.

I've got to report this immediately.

I knew the war was a sad and terrible thing, but

it had always seemed too far away to be scared of.

Now it was practically on our doorstep.

And I wondered if everyone else was as frightened

as I was.

♪ Fortunes of war can change the way...

♪ We imagine their lives will be...

♪The march family are on their way...

♪Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy...