Original subtitles

♪ Way back when in 1863

♪ Now part of the American lore

♪ A young family must leave their home

♪ Because of the Civil War

♪ Living their lives in a brand new town

♪ Doing the best they can

♪ Four little women are on their own

♪ Looking to make their stand

♪ Fortunes or war can change the way

♪ We imagine our lives will be

♪ The March family are on their way

♪ Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy

Beth's scarlet fever had

taken a turn for the very worst.

At Doctor Banks' suggestion,

a telegram was sent to last night to Marmee in Washington,

asking her to return home as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we all hope, and wait.

Oh. Huh?

Mm-mm-mm.

Jo? Jo, wake up.

Huh?

Oh, Meg, I fell asleep.

How's Beth?

She's still running a fever.

What time is it?

It's about six o'clock in the morning.

Jo, you should get some sleep.

You must be all worn out.

Don't worry, I will.

I'll look after her.

I wonder if mother will be home today.

What do you think?

Well that's going to depend on father's condition,

but, God willing, she'll be here today.

Why do I feel so helpless and worthless?

I feel the same way.

Maybe mother's coming back will have an effect on Beth.

I sure hope so.

I'm going to take a nap for a couple of hours.

I'll wake you if there's a change.

Despite our prayers, hopes,

and best wishes, Beth's scarlet fever

is much worse than we expected.

So bad, in fact, that last night, I had a terrible dream,

a nightmare that Beth had died and gone to heaven.

I woke up this morning convinced that I'm just being

pessimistic about all this, because I've only heard

second-hand about Beth and how she's doing,

but I'm determined to see my sister today.

I just haven't figured out how, yet.

I won't allow it.

Absolutely not.

But I'm worried, Aunt March.

You should stay away from Beth, now more than ever,

especially since her condition has gotten much worse.

Do you hear me?

But Aunt March, I know I won't catch scarlet fever.

Amy, you simply must be more reasonable about this.

The reason you haven't caught scarlet fever is

because you're staying here with me.

Now, forget such foolishness.

You may not return home, Amy, and that is final.

Aunt March sure sounded like

she meant business, but I don't care.

I'm going to find a way to see Beth.

Today.

Hmm?

I had a feeling it was going to snow today.

Meg?

Yes?

Please, could you tell me what the date is today?

Water?

I'll get it for you right now.

No. Today the first?

Yes it is.

It's the first day of December.

Why?

It's been over a week now, hasn't it?

Yes, it has.

Meg, I...

What, Beth?

I...

I don't...

I don't think I'm going to get better.

No, Beth!

Now, you listen to me.

You are going to get better.

Do you really think so?

We must keep thinking positive.

Where's Marmee?

Oh, Beth. She's gone.

Oh, that's right.

She's looking after father, if I remember correctly.

She'll be home soon.

You wait and see.

She'll be home before you know it.

You'll see.

Don't you worry.

We're expecting Marmee home today.

God willing, she'll be home today, and everything will be

all right then, Beth.

I'm sleepy.

Do you still want a glass of water?

I'm falling asleep.

Meg? Jo?

Anybody home?

I'm in the dining room, Laurie.

How come you're eating so late, Jo?

I was up with Beth almost all night long.

Oh, how is she doing?

Very badly.

As bad as yesterday, maybe worse.

Laurie, is that a telegram?

Oh yes.

Your mother left Washington this morning at 8 a.m...

Mr. Brooke sent this to us.

This is great.

She'll be arriving tonight by train.

Hmm!

I could pick her up at the station, if you like.

That'd be great.

Oh, by the way, we received a letter earlier today

from Mr. Brooke, before we got the telegram.

You'll be happy to know that Mr. Brooke says

that your father is getting much better.

Oh, I bet that's why she's able to come back now.

Yes.

Mr. Brooke is staying on in Washington to take care of your

father, so that your mother can return home.

I can't tell you how happy I am.

Oh, Meg, Laurie has brought us some wonderful news.

Marmee sent a telegram.

She left Washington this morning at eight.

Meg, what is it?

Beth just said that she doesn't think

she's going to make it.

She feels she's going to die.

How is she?

She's sleeping.

Oh, Jo, it was almost as if she was asking

to see Mommy for the last time.

Gosh, what can we do to improve her outlook?

Huh? Who's that?

It's about time for Doctor Banks to show up.

Now listen here, young lady, the next time I see you,

I want to see some improvement, understand?

I'm doing my best.

With me doing my best, and you doing your best,

there's no way we're not going to lick this awful thing.

Besides, you want to play the piano again, don't you?

And for that, you have to get well.

Piano.

Oh yes.

Excuse me, Doctor Banks, wait up.

You can tell me the truth.

Is my sister going to die?

I wouldn't say that's my prognosis,

however if her temperature doesn't drop,

I'm afraid that could happen.

I pray not.

I'll make it a point to come by and see her later today,

but Jo, don't get your hopes up.

Doctor?

Oh, Mr. Lawrence, good day sir.

I didn't realize you were here.

I've been worried sick about that girl.

I haven't been able to eat or sleep in days.

Mr. Lawrence, I'm doing all I can, but--

But nothing!

That's not enough.

You must get her well, you hear?

I can't promise it.

Frankly speaking, I do what I can, but God does the healing.

It's in His hands, now.

Oh.

Thank you, Doctor.

We'll pray for her.

Oh my, looks like we might be getting a snow storm.

Well, goodbye Amy, see you tomorrow.

Something the matter, Amy?

Aren't you going home to your Aunt March's house?

Probably.

Hey, it's beginning to snow a lot harder.

As far as you have to go, Amy, you'd better hurry on.

I've changed my mind.

Huh?

I'm going to my own house to see how my sister is.

Huh.

Amy, wait up.

Look.

She's practicing the piano.

Poor thing.

You really look very tired, Jo.

I'm not tired, Laurie, I'm worried.

Worrying yourself sick is not going to help Beth one bit.

You've done everything you possibly can, now let it go.

I have not.

I haven't done much except watch her get worse.

You mustn't think like that.

It's not your fault.

It's not anybody's fault,

but I wanted to help her get well.

Well, maybe Marmee's coming home will help her.

You're being too hard on yourself,

and you know as well as I do that Beth

wouldn't want you feeling this way,

so snap out of it and stop feeling sorry for yourself.

It isn't helping Beth one iota.

You don't understand.

I fell asleep while I was supposed to be watching her.

Oh Jo, stop blaming yourself and get some sleep.

Look, you're just tired and worn out.

I wish I could make you understand.

I do understand Jo, honest.

Beth is going to get well, isn't she?

I'm sure of it.

Beth will pull through.

Believe me, Jo.

I'll try to.

Oh Laurie.

Please play the piano for me.

Now?

When Beth played, it always comforted me

and made me happy.

Laurie, please play.

I really want you to.

It would mean a lot to me.

Please, play for me?

Better yet, play for Beth.

What do you mean, grandfather?

I've just come from seeing her.

Though delirious with fever,

she's pretending to play the piano.

Oh my, that's terrible.

I think it would do her a world of good

to hear some music.

Please Laurie, play for Beth.

Well, naturally,

that was all Laurie needed to hear,

so he went to the piano his grandfather

had given Beth as a present, and began to play.

His playing was like a present to Beth,

or so they all hoped.

I arrived just as the playing had begun,

and at first I didn't know what to think,

so I just stood in the snow, listening to

the beautiful music coming from inside the house, wondering.

As Laurie continued to play,

the music began to have the desired effect on Beth.

I hear...

Music...

Beth, listen.

You can play the piano any time.

Just try to concentrate on getting better,

and in no time at all, you'll be playing again.

Amy?

Huh?

I'll be right back.

Did I hear her say Amy was here?

Yes.

The doctor told Amy to stay away from Beth.

Amy!

Why are you here?

Well, I'm really worried about Beth,

and I wanted to see her.

Is she really in bad shape?

Yes, very bad shape.

But Amy, you should not have come here.

You know that.

Brr, I'm cold.

Can I come in for just a little while?

I'm not really sure you should, Amy.

It's freezing out there.

Why don't they come in?

Jo won't allow Amy to come inside.

There's too much danger of her catching the fever.

What?

Surely no harm can come to her by being in the house.

We'll just make sure she stays out of Beth's room.

I don't know, grandfather.

Hi everyone!

Mr. Lawrence, how are you today?

Just fine, and how are you?

Much better, now that I'm starting to warm up a little.

I was freezing out there.

Laurie, would you please do me a favor?

Just name it, but unless I miss my guess,

I'm pretty sure you want me to take Amy

back to Aunt March's.

I appreciate it.

I assure you, it's no problem.

I'll deliver Amy to your Aunt March first,

and then I'll go to the train station

and pick up your mother.

She should be arriving any time now.

Somehow, a simple thank you doesn't really

express our gratitude.

You hurry up.

Laurie's going to take you home as soon as you're warm.

As glad as we are to see you, Amy,

it would be simply terrible if you came down with

scarlet fever too, now wouldn't it?

Laurie, come on.

Let me go to the station with you.

Sorry Amy, no.

Why? Give me one good reason why.

I really wish I could, Amy,

but I'm sure your Aunt March is going to be very worried

about you, so I have to get you back as soon as I can.

I don't believe that old lady worries much about anybody.

Hi, I'm home, Esther.

Uh oh. Hi Auntie.

Amy, I was starting to worry about you, young lady.

So much so, I almost sent Ben to look for you.

I apologize.

Amy really didn't mean to upset you.

It's just that she was very worried about her sister.

And so, Amy, you decided to go to your mother's.

Uh, yes she did, Ma'am.

She should have told you.

Amy, did you get to see Beth while you were visiting?

No.

Actually, she just stood in front of the house

for quite a long time before Jo noticed her.

Then we brought her inside.

I see.

Well now, Amy, don't you worry your pretty little head.

The good Lord will hear our prayers,

and Beth is going to get better.

Oh, Aunt March.

Well, I didn't get in trouble after all,

and everything turned out all right at Aunt March's.

Of course, Laurie went onto the station without me

to pick up Marmee, and I still wish he had taken me along.

She's been unconscious since about three o'clock

this afternoon, Doctor.

Poor thing.

She looks like she's in such pain.

I know this isn't very comforting,

but all we can do now is wait and hope that she gets better.

Wait and hope?

But you're a doctor!

I can do no more.

See you tomorrow, Jo.

Hiya! Giddy up.

Huh?

Laurie, what are you doing here?

You were supposed to pick up Marmee.

The train didn't come in, Jo.

What?

That's right.

They told me the train has been delayed by the snowstorm.

Laurie, that is awful.

Beth has taken a turn for the worse.

What'll we do?

Oh my gosh, Jo, that is awful.

Was that Doctor Banks I just saw leaving?

Yes.

What aren't you telling me, Jo?

Nothing.

Jo, what's wrong with you?

I can tell that something's wrong.

Well, tell me.

What did Doctor Banks have to say to you?

It may be tonight.

What do you mean?

Doctor Banks told me that if her temperature doesn't

drop by midnight, Beth may not survive until morning.

Oh no.

There has got to be some way that we can help Beth

bring her temperature back down.

Before midnight, you say?

Otherwise, it'll be too late.

I've prepared supper, if you two girls feel like

somethin' to eat.

Thanks, but I'm not a bit hungry.

Eat somethin', for heaven's sakes.

You need it.

I don't feel much like eating right now.

Feel like it or not, you'd better eat.

Hannah led them down to the dining room,

where Meg and Jo halfheartedly tried to force themselves

to eat, all the while thinking of what Doctor Banks

had said about this maybe being Beth's last night

if her temperature doesn't come down.

Hannah, how is Beth?

Mmm.

I read in the Bible Marmee gave us

last Christmas, that if we ask, we shall receive.

Now, I know I've asked for a lot,

but it didn't say we couldn't keep asking,

so here goes.

Dear Lord, please let Beth get well again.

Amen.

What was that you said, darling?

Mommy... Mommy...

Oh...

Stand back, prepare to board.

I hope I'm not too late.

Oh?

Ahh.

Hannah! Hannah!

Come here! Hurry!

Jo, what is it?

What's happening?

Beth. She's...

What?

Oh.

Let's not fly off the handle, Meg.

Hannah's much better at judging

her temperature than you or I.

What is it?

Feel her brow.

What do you think, Hannah?

Hannah?

Her fever's broken!

- Really? - Oh!

She's sweatin' up a storm, and that's a good sign, Meg.

And, her breathing's come back to normal.

Oh, our prayers have been answered.

Yep, this little girl is finally out of the woods.

Well, the worst is over, girls.

Frankly, I don't know how you did it.

Prayer.

Yes indeed.

Somehow, Beth survived the night,

and Marmee came to see me

the moment she arrived from Washington.

I had never been so happy to see anyone in all my life.

Holding her and having her arms wrapped around me tight

made me feel safe in the world, and somehow I knew

everything was going to be all right.

No, somehow I knew everything was all right.

♪ Fortunes or war can change the way

♪ We imagine our lives will be

♪ The March family are on their way

♪ Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy