Little Men (1998)

In the rugged backdrop of 1871 New England, two young orphans, the innocent Nat Blake and the crafty Dan, navigate the harsh reality of the Boston streets. Their world takes an unexpected turn when Nat's path crosses with benevolent John Brooke, who, moved by the boy's circumstance, becomes his benefactor. Nat finds himself transported from the city's grimy alleyways to the verdant tranquility of Plumfield - a boys' boarding school run by the compassionate couple, Jo and Fritz Bhaer. Plumfield is no ordinary school; it champions compassion over severity, and encourages boys to be boys, fostering a nurturing environment where seeds of virtue and honesty can take root. Nat, accustomed to the survival tactics of the street, wrestles with this new reality and the strange concept of trust - a stark contrast to his previous life of deceit and cunning. Over time, he learns to adapt and realizes that the changes he embraces are shaping him into a better person. However, the peaceful rhythm of Plumfield is disrupted as Dan, the streetwise rogue, arrives. Unlike Nat, Dan lacks a benefactor and treats the school as just another battleground for his survival, adhering to his own rules rather than those set by the Bhaers. His rebellious spirit begins to infect the school, encouraging vices that threaten to undo all the good work of the Bhaers. 'Little Men' is a vivid retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic tale that explores the stark contrast between street survival and the nurturing environment of a school. It's a story of hope, transformation, and the struggle to leave behind the past, where one boy finds light in the darkness, and another battles the shadows of his past. Will the turbulent journey of these little men lead them to a brighter future or pull them back into the dark alleys from which they emerged? This is a story that will grip your heart and make you ponder the true essence of change and redemption.

Little Men is a drama movie featuring Kathleen Fee and directed by Rodney Gibbons.

Little Men is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Pluto TV and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy Little Men on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube.