- Actors: Peter Auty, David Bowie, Mel Smith, Raymond Briggs
- Directors: Dianne Jackson, Jimmy T. Murakami
- Writers: Raymond Briggs
- Producers: Iain Harvey, John Coates
- Format: PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: U
- Studio: Universal
- DVD Release Date: 6 Nov 2006
- Run Time: 26 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000050GQU
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
16,778 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #99 in Film & TV > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Animated
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Two Raymond Briggs' animated classics, The Snowman and Father Christmas are here sensibly paired for maximum yuletide delight.
Based on Briggs's classic children's book and crafted in a coloured-pencils-on-paper look, like fluffy, hand-drawn illustrations, The Snowman is a gentle fable of friendship and the power of imagination. It's the story of a small boy whose lovingly constructed snowman comes to life and takes him flying over the white-blanketed landscapes, in a beautiful rotoscoped (traced) sequence based on live-action flying footage.
Part of the charm of the film is the gentle, everyday quality of its fantasy adventures: the snowman is invited in to try on clothes and play with the Christmas decorations, then plays host to the boy at a party in the woods, at which his snowy relatives do country dances. --David Chute
In Father Christmas, an irreverent Santa breaks from tradition in many ways. He has no Mrs, owns only four reindeer and decides to convert his sleigh into an airborne motor home for a pre-Christmas holiday. He finds France too snooty, Scotland too cold and Las Vegas just right. Tanned and rested, he returns to the North Pole in time to sort through the mail, pack up the toys and hit the skies. He also narrates his own story (splendidly voiced by Los Angeles stage actor William Dennis Hunt), but fans of the 1973 book will find the animated version far less cranky than the original. Although the book was aimed at children between the ages of 4-8, this may have a wider appeal, depending on how you feel about the children seeing Santa gambling at the casino tables, dreaming of bikini-clad babes and suffering a bout of diarrhoea. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Special Features
English
Region 2
Region 2
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have watched this spectacular wordless animation every Christmas now since it first came out in the early 1980s when I was just a child and I can honestly say that Christmas just wouldn't be the same for me without it.
I have now passed it's splendor on to my own 3 year old daughter who was touched to tears the first time she watched it.
The soundtrack is very emotional so make sure you have your tissues at the ready.
I just love the sketchy, story book style of the animation that makes you feel like you are reading a story book that has come to life.
As the film is wordless, it is also ideal for people of all nationalities.
The underlying message seems to be advising us to value loved ones because life is short and it is a perfect message to put across during the season of good will.
The DVD also features another Raymond Briggs classic, 'Father Christmas' containing dialogue and showing a more humorous side to the life of Santa Claus.
There are no bonus features on the DVD, which is a shame but it still deserves 5 stars because both of the films are brilliant!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I remember being spellbound when the Snowman was first broadcast. It immediately tapped into that feeling of pre-Christmas anticipation, a taste of the magic to come. Now I have children of my own this DVD offers an opportunity to experience that enchantment with them and it never fails to deliver, even in Spring and Summer!
With three children aged 11, 3 and 15 months this is one of the few films we watch together which engages us all. Both of my younger ones enjoy the Snowman, whilst my 11 and 3 year olds laugh out loud at 'Father Christmas.' The length of each piece makes them perfect viewing for smaller family members.
The old-fashioned, pencil drawn animation does much to add to a nostalgic feel, whilst still offering little people new to these stories beautiful and well crafted films.
With three children aged 11, 3 and 15 months this is one of the few films we watch together which engages us all. Both of my younger ones enjoy the Snowman, whilst my 11 and 3 year olds laugh out loud at 'Father Christmas.' The length of each piece makes them perfect viewing for smaller family members.
The old-fashioned, pencil drawn animation does much to add to a nostalgic feel, whilst still offering little people new to these stories beautiful and well crafted films.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Magic is the only way to describe the all time classic bedtime story of the Snowman. If ever you're having a wet Christmas instead of a white one, viewing this story will in many ways make you forget those troubles and think of those that were white and magical.
I first heard this story as a six year old boy when an old violin teacher of mine invited me to listen to her playing in her orchestra, whilst the film was being projected on a big screen. Of course it was narrated then, but it hardly needed it, nor does the DVD version need it now, as the story couldn't be more simpler and clearer:
A young boy wakes up one morning and finds that it has snowed. Thrilled and overjoyed he plays every game he can, including building a snowman... but the magic of Christmas truly manifests itself when suddenly... the snowman comes to life!!! And so the two of them live a night of laughing, dancing, feasting and the most beautiful scene of all...flying.
That's all I'm saying not to ruin it for those who don't know the story.
Truly the animation could not fit the story more perfectly, looking at the screen is as if I were looking at a pleasant dream. And the music is beautiful beyond words,... this story will touch a soft spot in the heart of everyone, a true joy to watch and hear.
Father Christmas is a story that tells us what he does throughout one entire year. Watch him defrost after Christmas eve, go on holidays in the tropics, and organise himself for the next year. The only thing I don't find too fitting is the fact that he says 'bleemin' every five words. It adds a bit of realism to his character for certain, but after a while you get sick of it. All in all though, it's a sweet enough story and a nice bonus to the real reason anyone should buy this DVD: the Snowman.
I first heard this story as a six year old boy when an old violin teacher of mine invited me to listen to her playing in her orchestra, whilst the film was being projected on a big screen. Of course it was narrated then, but it hardly needed it, nor does the DVD version need it now, as the story couldn't be more simpler and clearer:
A young boy wakes up one morning and finds that it has snowed. Thrilled and overjoyed he plays every game he can, including building a snowman... but the magic of Christmas truly manifests itself when suddenly... the snowman comes to life!!! And so the two of them live a night of laughing, dancing, feasting and the most beautiful scene of all...flying.
That's all I'm saying not to ruin it for those who don't know the story.
Truly the animation could not fit the story more perfectly, looking at the screen is as if I were looking at a pleasant dream. And the music is beautiful beyond words,... this story will touch a soft spot in the heart of everyone, a true joy to watch and hear.
Father Christmas is a story that tells us what he does throughout one entire year. Watch him defrost after Christmas eve, go on holidays in the tropics, and organise himself for the next year. The only thing I don't find too fitting is the fact that he says 'bleemin' every five words. It adds a bit of realism to his character for certain, but after a while you get sick of it. All in all though, it's a sweet enough story and a nice bonus to the real reason anyone should buy this DVD: the Snowman.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Item just as described, all the family love it
You can't really go wrong with raymond briggs. This compilation will keep all three generations of my family engrossed throughout the festive season.
Published 5 months ago by sais_boi
A delight to view!
Fifty+ years of age and I'm ashamed to admit I'd never seen 'The Snowman' and 'Father Christmas' before! (Well, I'm from Downunder! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ruth Waldron
So beautiful It Will Move You to Tears
I wish I could adequately express how astonishingly marvellous this film is & what it means to me.It is so very beautiful in more ways than one. Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2006 by Lisette Baxter
Hold Out for the Correct Aspect Ratio
I sought out this release because I'd read on Amazon.com that the vocal track of Father Christmas was butchered on the American release. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2006
An all-time christmas classic
A must have DVD for everyone who loves The Snowman, I watch it just cause of the song, 'Walking in the Air'. As we used to sing it in our school choir.
Published on 3 Dec 2004 by "hkundi"
The Best Stories For Christmas
Quite possibly one of the greatest "fun for all the family" style disk sets you will ever own!
As a young adult I still look at both stories with deep admiration as i did when i... Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2003 by Robin Kinnard
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