The Little Match Girl

Richly detailed evocation of Hans Christian Andersen's heart-breaking parable.

This silent reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's bleak fairy tale will bring a tear to every eye. Though the surviving copy has Dutch intertitles, the moving parable of a young girl exploited by her drunkard father and left to freeze on the snowy streets needs little explanation. Much more elaborate than British cinema pioneer James Williamson’s beautiful 1902 adaptation, this version was produced by the Neptune Film Company and features colour tinting and special effects to illuminate the little match girl’s retreat into a world of fantasy and comfort.