UK, 1902
3m
35mm film, black and white, 1.33:1
silent
A British fantasy film directed by James Williamson. It is the earliest known adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s short story Den Lille Pige med Svovlstikkerne (The Little Match Girl) first published in 1845.
Plot Summary
A little match girl stands beneath a street lamp on a snowy night, failing to sell matches to the passers-by who just ignore her. Cold a desperate, she sits down, strikes a match and sees a vision of a fire. A series of other visions appear as she strikes her remaining matches until she finally dies and is taken to heaven by an angel. Her body is later found by a policeman.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: James Williamson
Williamson Kinematograph Company
Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen
Alternative Titles
The Little Match Girl
Zündholzverkäuferin – German title
References
Books
Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.261 – credits
