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

An animated short based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale about a poor young girl with 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 filled with images of loving relatives, bountiful food, and a place to call home.

---

Plot Keywords:

young girl | fairy tale | hans christian andersen | christmas | match | 

---

Genres:

Animation | Short | Drama | Family | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

7 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Pequena Vendedora de Fósforos

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2005, Walt Disney Feature Animation finished production work on a new adaptation of "The Little Match Girl". The short was originally intended to be a part of "Fantasia 2006", but this project was canceled. The Little Matchgirl is last of the four shorts from the aborted compilation to be developed as a standalone film. It combines hand-drawn animation, computer techniques, and stylized backgrounds, and retains Andersen's tragic ending. This short was subsequently released as a special feature on the 2006 Platinum Edition DVD of "The Little Mermaid."

---

Connections

Featured in The 2006 Academy Award Nominated Short Films: Animation (2007)

---

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).