Little Women

Fans have long been waiting for the DVD release of this 1978 NBC miniseries, acclaimed as the most faithful of the many adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel. This beautiful production features costumes by the legendary Edith Head, music by Elmer Bernstein, and serious dedication to authentic Civil War-period detail (winning an Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction in a Series), although it can't help but feel a little ‘70s-riffic with its cast right off the decade's primetime schedule. Meredith Baxter Birney, Susan Dey, and Eve Plumb star as three of the four March sisters, while William Shatner takes a turn as Jo's professor beau, complete with a terrible German accent and his usual bug-eyed hamminess. But even Shatner's scenery-chewing can't detract from the loveliness of Alcott's tale, at the center of which lies the inner strength of her appealing characters. Although it lacks any DVD extras, this sure-to-be-popular TV movie adaptation is highly recommended. (M. Johanson)