The Little Match Seller (1902) | BFI National Archive

The Little Match Seller (1902) | BFI National Archive Subscribe: 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 - 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 Watch more on the BFI Player: Follow us on Twitter: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Google : britishfilminstitute/