Watch La Petite Marchande D' Allumettes

La Petite Marchande D' Allumettes (The Little Match Girl) is a French silent film released in 1928. It was directed by Jean Renoir and stars Catherine Hessling as the little match girl, Eric Barclay as the prince, and Jean Storm as the narrator. The film opens on a snowy Christmas Eve with the little match girl wandering the streets, trying to sell her matches to passersby. She is cold, hungry, and alone, and no one seems to be interested in buying her matches. In a desperate attempt to keep warm, she decides to light a match and is transported to a magical world where she sees visions of happiness and warmth.

Throughout the film, the little match girl continues to light matches, each one transporting her to a new vision. In one scene, she sees a warm fireplace with a loving family gathered around it, in another, she sees a circus with clowns and acrobats. The visions are a stark contrast to her own reality, and the little match girl becomes even more determined to sell her matches so she can afford to buy food and find warmth.

Along the way, she meets a young prince who is on his way to a grand ball. The prince is struck by the little match girl's innocence and kindness and offers to buy all of her matches. She eagerly accepts and is overjoyed at the thought of finally being warm and fed. However, as the prince continues on his way to the ball, the little match girl becomes lost and disoriented, with no idea of how to find her way home.

The film climaxes with an emotional scene that teaches a powerful lesson about empathy and compassion. La Petite Marchande D' Allumettes is a heart-wrenching tale of poverty, loneliness, and the human spirit's resilience.

The cinematography is stunning, with beautiful imagery and breathtaking scenes that transport the viewer into the little match girl's magical world. Catherine Hessling's performance as the little match girl is incredibly moving, and her expressive face conveys every emotion the character is feeling. Eric Barclay's portrayal of the caring prince adds another layer of emotional depth, and Jean Storm's narration throughout the film ties everything together perfectly.

Overall, La Petite Marchande D' Allumettes is a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences with its emotive storytelling, stunning visuals, and poignant message.

La Petite Marchande D' Allumettes is a 1928 drama with a runtime of 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.