The Little Matchgirl (2006)

A poor young girl has a burning desire to find comfort and happiness in her life. Desperate to keep warm, the girl lights the matches she sells, and envisions a very different life for herself in the fiery flames.

Director:

Roger Allers

Writers:

Hans Christian Andersen (based on an original story by), Roger Allers (story adaptation by)

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Storyline

Amid an indifferent crowd in the snow-capped streets of Moscow, an impoverished and humble little girl struggles to eke out a living by selling matches, in this Roger Allers' adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's original story. Up against a relentless and mighty adversary, the poor seller reluctantly decides to warm herself by using the last of her matches, and, suddenly, clear and bright visions of a happy and carefree life start to envelop her. Look. There's her sweet and silver-haired grandmother. And over there, there's the family's dazzling Christmas tree. Dear God, can the fleeting but beautiful illusion be real in the morning?

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | fairy tale | hans christian andersen | cold | pipe | 

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Taglines:

Even in the coldest night, a dream burns on forever.

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

This short represents Disney's final use of CAPS (their last feature to make use of the digital ink-and-paint system was Home on the Range (2004)).

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Connections

Version of The Little Match Girl (1987)

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Soundtracks

String Quartet #2 In D Major: 3rd Movement: Notturno (Andante)
Written by Aleksandr Borodin (as Alexander Borodin)
Performed by Emerson String Quartet
Violin: Philip Setzer
Violin: Eugene Drucker
Viola: Lawrence Dutton
Cello: David Finckel
The Emerson String Quartet appears courtesy of Duetsche Grammophon

User Reviews

The plight of a little girl set in turn of the century Russia.

One of the saddest cinematic displays I have ever seen. It is 2D rendered 3D animation overlaid with traditional illustrations as well. The animation is well done and coordinates well with the score. The film is very short, 11 min or so, but it is a simple plot with only one main character (the match girl), and by the end of the picture you are totally engaged in the girls plight. H.C. Anderson had a way with human despair, and this film captures that nature without one word uttered. I recommend this film despite its graphic illustration of society's malevolence and disregard. To be honest I have never read the original Anderson story, but it seems to have a similar tone to his other works (not the Disney adaptations).

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

7 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Little Matchgirl

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney Feature Animation - 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Feature Animation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1