The Little Match Girl (1914) | BFI National Archive

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.

[blueamaranth]

Brief, rough translation of the Dutch subtitles via Google translate (the number matches the one in the lower left corner for the all the parts with text):

1. The Matchmaker - A Christmas story in 1 company. (I'm assuming that means one act or one reel.)
2. The eve before Christmas.
3. Not a single bunch has been sold yet.
4. "Father will hit me."
5. Her father resides daily. (Possibly this means he goes there daily, meaning the pub.)
6. If only she had her mother again.
7. "Did you bring a lot of money?"
8. "Get out, and don't you dare come back without money!"
9. "Matches please sir!"
10. Barefoot.
11. "Let me light just 1 match to warm my hands."
12. What she saw in her imagination with the second match.
13. "Now one more, it's so terribly cold!"
14. "Take me with you, mother, don't go away!"
15. Christmas Morning - Forever rest.
16. ENDS

[terencemorales]

Amazing print of this timeless classic. It really is hard to believe that this film is well over a hundred years old. Beautiful!

[Ourladyrules]

a great film, and the picture quality is incredible. it was beautifuly filmed also. 🎥🎥🎥 superb. thank you

[mairjones]

I've seen this so many times and it's so so sad thank you for the video

[michaelkubli]

Sad fairytale, well filmed. Anyone knows the name of that young actress? I wonder what kind of career she had after that movie.

[youngsteph]

This looks older than 1914. The painted sets were more prelevant in the previous decade. I also preffered the 1902 version, even though that was only three minutes long.

[tboorer]

Is this public domain? I'd like to compose a score for it.

[benlarsen]

Mind as well been made by the anti saloon league.

[SatoruwaFeng]

1914 was hardcore enough that they froze a real child while making this.