tek's rating: ¾

The Little Matchgirl (6:40)
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This 2006 animated short is based on the 1846 story by Hans Christian Andersen. It was released as a bonus feature on the Platinum Edition DVD of The Little Mermaid in 2006, and again on the Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD of that movie in 2013. (I have the latter edition, but was unable to watch it there, because as far as I can tell, it's on the Blu-ray, but not the DVD.) In 2015, it was again released on Blu-ray/DVD, this time as part of the "Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Film Collection," which I got in December 2017. It's then that I finally watched this short for the first time.

The film has no dialog, just visuals and music. A young girl is trying to sell matchsticks, and it's obviously around Christmastime. But no one buys any. Finally, sitting out in the cold late at night, she strikes her matches to keep warm, and has happy visions... which disappear as soon as each match burns out. And finally... well, I suppose it's up to the viewer to decide whether the ending is happy, sad, or bittersweet. Personally, I found it very sad. Still, the film as a whole is quite beautiful. And I don't know what else to say.


Disney shorts index
animated shorts index
Christmas shorts index

Untitled Document Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection
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John Henry * Lorenzo * The Little Matchgirl * How to Hook Up Your Home Theater * Tick Tock Tale * Prep & Landing - Operation: Secret Santa * The Ballad of Nessie * Tangled Ever After * Paperman * Get a Horse! * Feast * Frozen Fever