In later life, filmmaker Arthur Melbourne Smith claimed that he had made this film in 1899, which if confirmed would make it the first animated film in history. However, study by the curator of the Kodak Museum in Harrow of the original negative and contemporary documents suggested 1914 as the most likely production date.
Dependent on the true date of the film's release, the call for matches refers to either the Second Boer War (1899) or the first World War (1914).
Despite the ambiguity of its release date, this film is confirmed to be one of the earliest animated advertisements and propaganda films.