The Little Match Seller (1902) | BFI National Archive

The Little Match Seller (1902) | BFI National Archive
Subscribe: bit.ly/subscrib....
This beautiful evocation of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl' echoes the simple poignancy of its source material. Early British film pioneer James Williamson's camera remains static throughout; the film's technical innovation lies in its deft use of superimposed images to create visual depth. Beyond a veil of drifting snow, the tearful and barefoot girl retreats into an imaginary world of warmth and light, and while the policeman's torch finds her too late, the film comforts us with its interpretation of an otherworldly "rescue" from the hardships and indifference of Edwardian life. (Simon McCallum)
Read more about James Williamson at BFI Screenonline - www.screenonlin...
All titles on the BFI Films channel are preserved in the vast collections of the BFI National Archive. To find out more about the Archive visit www.bfi.org.uk/...
Watch more on the BFI Player: player.bfi.org.uk/
Follow us on Twitter: / bfi
Like us on Facebook: / britishfilminstitute
Follow us on Google+: plus.google.co...

[@alejoparedes2388]

A silent film that will leave you speechless.

[@princepeterwolf]

How amazing is it TH-cam? To able to have access to pieces of art like this on a click. It's humbling

[@JoMarieM]

Wow. . .for the limited technology they had back in 1902, I have to say that this is a pretty impressive bit of filmmaking. I just wish this wasn't such a sad story. It seems like almost every film version I've seen of this tale has the same tragic ending!

[@odioalospoopers]

There's one with a happier ending, but it deviates a little bit extremely wayyyyy too much from the original at certain point

[@AnnaLVajda]

As true now as then too.

[@francisdec1615]

It IS a happy ending after all: the angel takes her to heaven.

[@umairashraf5167]

​@@odioalospoopers which one?

[@PrisHaff]

That’s the way it was written by Hans Christian Andersen!

[@femiqueen5855]

Cried when I read in 1977.
Now again crying after watching in 2022.
Such an amazing fairy tale

[@baihu8856]

Beautiful. First film in history to make people cry.

[@daytripdebbie2006]

I remember seeing this as a child. It stuck in my head. I was only a toddler too.

[@MrGelFreak]

One of the most moving things I've seen

[@staceymcinturf9978]

It doesn't matter which version I watch of this, it always has me in tears. The 2006 version however has me sobbing like a 55 year old baby!

[@harpersweeklymag]

Beautiful. Touching story, senstive realization.

[@worthington5687]

Exquisite deeply sad story, use to tear me up when I was a lad.

[@elbandito7504]

Amazing these films survived!

[@odioalospoopers]

For what is known over 90% of silent films are lost

[@alyssajones4368]

Geez. I'm a sucker for these silent films 🎥

[@bernadettehays453]

I'm sure back in the Victorian/Edwardian times there where many, many Little Matchstick Boys and Girls.😥😥

[@annalisavajda252]

Don't think it's only a thing of the past.

[@annalisavajda252]

Don't think it's only a thing of the past. People still can't eat illusions or stay warm by them.

[@bernadettehays453]

@@James-ks7lv Yes! Really! There where Matchstick sellers in London in Victorian times. They also dipped the matches in white Phosphate an extremely dangerous job ending up getting necrosis of the jaw due to phosphorus poisoning. I know about the film too! It certainly does not portray the health issues.

[@ApsleyPaperTrail]

Thanks for uploading this. Really enjoyed watching - fascinating to see them playing with early forms of special effects.

[@roscoefoofoo]

Some things never change.......

[@BigAndTall666]

H. C. Andersen wrote that story!

[@evanr8980]

Yes it seems to be the first ever film adaptation of one of his works.

[@y.k.6328]

I like this version better than the 1914 one.

[@danali45]

Beautiful indeed. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@JamesMetcalfe100]

What a lovely film!! Love the book too

[@yavvale]

It's weird to think this was produced 122 years ago. A great piece. Very sad, but unfortunately, still real.

[@lookingfrank]

Damn, something in my eyes.

[@jimmyriddles]

Amazing footage from such a long time ago of a much love story of old.

[@tonieabbott180]

Wow. That was captivating even though there were no words or music...

[@keiths6010]

Thank you

[@carolinebergin4633]

Whoa! 1902!?

[@robinh4]

This was really well done!

[@vita9n]

Thank you.

[@manchesterm12google.comman68]

Great piece of film

[@theresaholguin699]

How sad no one helped her.

[@gvbrandolini]

Bello.

[@echolot]

I'm watching this with the "Edward Scissorhands" soundtrack playing in the background

[@DarkFae70]

Excellent, thank you! : )

[@donaldhicks3359]

Typical , the cop gets there after she freezes to death

[@tanukibrahma]

Barefoot in the snow isn't good.

[@Photosounder]

Bros... I could have saved her...

[@klpk69]

Сильно

[@lilnemox2595]

2020؟؟

[@alis2068]

Storys like these make me despite the human race

[@benlarsen4602]

Shouldn't there be, music?

[@jimmyriddles]

I assume you are being sarcastic? I'd love to know are you??

[@cadecadatal6377]

life really sucks donkey balls....even today :(

[@cammythach7214]

🔥👩🏻‍🦰🔥🌨❄️☃️⛄️

[@forhandsome1080]

so poor

[@flyingdutchman28]

Sucks to be her...

[@laobok]

But poor you, right?