The other versions are the 1940 film, which was a terrible adaptation (almost unrecognisable from the book) and a mediocre at best film, and the 1998 film, which was not perfect as an adaptation either but nowhere near as unrecognisable and decent but sometimes variable as a standalone.
While this adaptation also isn't faithful to Louisa May Alcott's book (which is a lovely read if not as memorable as 'Little Women', which is my comfort book and a lifelong favourite, and 'Good Wives') in detail, it is closer in spirit to it than the other two adaptations. It is also by far the best version of 'Little Men' on its own, being the only one of the three to be better than decent, actually quite a lot of it is very good.
'Little Men' does have its faults. It is a shame that Professor Bhaer is replaced by a less interesting and more clichéd character of Nick, though Spencer Rochfort does a quite good job making Nick not as annoying, stiff or too cloying as he could have been, with a good chemistry between Michelle Burke. Dan Chameroy is also rather too grim as Laurie.
Michelle Burke however is the best of the 'Little Men' Jo's. Again she is not the headstrong, tomboyish or prone to losing her temper Jo when younger but she is much less subdued or as bland as Kay Francis or Mariel Hemmingway, playing her with sincerity and spunk. Jennifer Wigmore and Amy Price-Francis are charming as Meg and Amy, and the children are remarkably very good.
It's a great-looking series too, visually the most accomplished and most evocative to the period than the other two adaptations. The period detail is often exquisite and the series is beautifully filmed. The script doesn't fall into juvenile slapstick or maudlin sentiment, and has some depth and a lot of heart. The story is heartfelt, efficiently paced and always compelling, also covering serious and darker subjects that stops the series from being too sentimental or corny. One does wish that the series lasted longer thought.
Overall, very nicely done and while flawed is still the best version of 'Little Men'. 8/10 Bethany Cox
While this adaptation also isn't faithful to Louisa May Alcott's book (which is a lovely read if not as memorable as 'Little Women', which is my comfort book and a lifelong favourite, and 'Good Wives') in detail, it is closer in spirit to it than the other two adaptations. It is also by far the best version of 'Little Men' on its own, being the only one of the three to be better than decent, actually quite a lot of it is very good.
'Little Men' does have its faults. It is a shame that Professor Bhaer is replaced by a less interesting and more clichéd character of Nick, though Spencer Rochfort does a quite good job making Nick not as annoying, stiff or too cloying as he could have been, with a good chemistry between Michelle Burke. Dan Chameroy is also rather too grim as Laurie.
Michelle Burke however is the best of the 'Little Men' Jo's. Again she is not the headstrong, tomboyish or prone to losing her temper Jo when younger but she is much less subdued or as bland as Kay Francis or Mariel Hemmingway, playing her with sincerity and spunk. Jennifer Wigmore and Amy Price-Francis are charming as Meg and Amy, and the children are remarkably very good.
It's a great-looking series too, visually the most accomplished and most evocative to the period than the other two adaptations. The period detail is often exquisite and the series is beautifully filmed. The script doesn't fall into juvenile slapstick or maudlin sentiment, and has some depth and a lot of heart. The story is heartfelt, efficiently paced and always compelling, also covering serious and darker subjects that stops the series from being too sentimental or corny. One does wish that the series lasted longer thought.
Overall, very nicely done and while flawed is still the best version of 'Little Men'. 8/10 Bethany Cox