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From Amazon.co.uk
The Snowman has been a Christmas staple ever since its original release in 1982. Based on Raymond Briggs' classic children's book, the tale of a solitary little boy whose snowman comes to life in the night and takes him on a series of adventures which culminate in a meeting with Father Christmas. It's uncluttered by modern standards and told with a gentle simplicity which renders it utterly poignant.
The Snowman deservedly won awards for its animators. But they had the best material to work with: Briggs' softly absorbing original illustrations which magically combine Christmas fantasy with the stark realities of life and death.
For this new special edition a new audio narration has been provided by Mel Smith which will help to bring it alive for younger children. The rest of us will probably be satisfied with Howard Blake's evocative soundtrack and, at the cynic-damning moment when the snowman takes the boy's hand and they soar into the sky, the tingling strains of "Walking in the Air" sung by Peter Auty, (not Aled Jones who had the chart hit on the strength of a commercial). It's enchanting, from beginning to end.
On the DVD: The Snowman Special Edition is presented in 16:9 aspect radio with a stereo Dolby Digital soundtrack, fusing Raymond Briggs' soft, glowing pastel work with Howard Blake's sympathetic score in 26 minutes of animated perfection. The extras are fascinating: David Bowie's original introduction, demanded by the US producers who needed a celebrity to front the project (he looks ridiculously exotic); and a documentary in which the surviving collaborators and Briggs talk with touching awe about the little bit of magic they created. The commercial might of The Snowman as a marketing brand is also revealed. The lumpen vox-pops are the only irritation. --Piers Ford
Product Description
Raymond Briggs' classic animated tale about a snowman that comes magically to life after the chimes of midnight, and - along with the little boy who built him - sets off on a series of amazing adventures. Includes the hit single 'Walking in the Air' sung by chorister Aled Jones.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
186 of 189 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
The Snowman was, and still is, a fantastic animation for Christmas, and until last year, was shown in it's original aspect ratio of 4x3.However, with this being the digital age, somebody has taken it upon themselves to convert this classic into widescreen, by brutally cutting off the top and bottom of the screen. This leaves many scenes with heads and faces missing, and in the flying scene, the Snowman and the boy are nowhere to be seen. Beware of this so-called special edition - get the version bundled with the other Raymond Brigg's tale Father Christmas, which is presented in it's original aspect ratio.
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By AV1
Format:Blu-ray
Whilst the colours do look a little brighter on this HD release it's worth noting that the video is the cropped widescreen version. Tops of heads are cut off, detail at the bottom of the screen missing. Also all 3 of the introductions are on the bonus features menu, the story itself starts without any intro at all from the title screen. Dissapointing considering they could have included all 3 versions on 1 blu-ray disc (a cropped and the original version too) for the viewer to choose their favourite version. (it is after all only 25 minutes long). 30th anniversary special edition? Cheap & poorly produced disc of a much loved classic more like.
69 of 72 people found the following review helpful
By nicktgb
Format:DVD
The rubric for this disc describes "David Bowie's original introduction". Not so - the introduction of the original film was truly atmospheric: a lone figure (Raymond Briggs?) walking through a winter landscape with the sky heavy with impending snow. This was later replaced by the appalling tosh by David Bowie and still later by an animated "Father Christmas" introduction. The true original now seems impossible to acquire - a dreadful act of cultural vandalism.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Rosemary
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Snowman is a beautifully illustrated classic film so what on earth has been done to it?! You can find the original introduction with David Bowie under "Extra Features" and "Alternative Introduction". Firstly, how CAN they call it an alternative introduction - it's the original!! I never liked the "Father Christmas" film so was hugely disappointed to see they have Father Christmas introducing it instead of David Bowie. The other thing is that if you choose the alternative introduction it cuts off just as the films starts!!! So, you have back up to the main menu to choose the Father Christmas introduction so you can watch the whole film! And, totally agree with the other reviewers - the film has been chopped top and bottom so heads are cut off.
If you know and love the original Snowman don't buy this so called special edition DVD. However, if you are introducing your kids to The Snowman they won't know any different!
If you know and love the original Snowman don't buy this so called special edition DVD. However, if you are introducing your kids to The Snowman they won't know any different!
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
No original introduction ! DVD features the Father Christmas introduction rather than the one we all remember. I'm not sure why after all this time they had to alter it ? Watched my old VHS tape instead.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Can it really be over twenty years since this delicate, captivating animation graced the screens of the fledgling Channel 4? As a voice-over announcer with the station I have introduced The Snowman many times, along with its permutations such as 'the making of' (which I'm glad to see is a bonus programme included here) yet I've never tired of its pastel wintry landscapes and sublime music.
Kids love it, but grown ups will love it even more, especially those of a certain age who yearn for open fires and a simple rural childhood.
As with all Raymond Briggs' stories there is pathos and poignancy, but you're left wanting to watch it again and again and I'm afraid that lump in the throat will remain like a stubborn frost.
Kids love it, but grown ups will love it even more, especially those of a certain age who yearn for open fires and a simple rural childhood.
As with all Raymond Briggs' stories there is pathos and poignancy, but you're left wanting to watch it again and again and I'm afraid that lump in the throat will remain like a stubborn frost.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By John Jones
Format:DVD
Raymond Briggs's The Snowman is one of the most beautifully atmospheric Christmas stories. The animated version reaches even greater heights, enhanced as it is by Howard Blake's truly moving score.
However, the version presented on this DVD has been mutilated by converting the original's 4x3 aspect ratio to 16x9. This has been done by brutally cropping the top and bottom of the screen.
It would be barbaric enough to have so thoughtlessly edited an animated classic, where the visual element is so rich, but it also results in some scenes that now hardly make any sense. One such example is when the little boy - waking in the morning and realising it is snowing - dresses so quickly he forgets to put on his shoes and socks, which is pointed out by his mother. However, and somewhat farcically, the brutal cropping has resulted in the boy's feet being out of view when his mother does this and she may as well be pointing at the floor.
The really annoying issue here is why this change to 16x9 has been done. My guess is that the publisher has decided that we are now all so philistine that we would simply refuse to watch an "old-fashioned" 4x3 picture, unable to comprehend why two black bars appear down either side of the screen. Better to mutilate a classic to make sure that our gargantuan wall-mounted plasmas are filled to the brim.
Whatever you do, avoid this release, and seek one that has the original 4x3 - as I will now be doing.
However, the version presented on this DVD has been mutilated by converting the original's 4x3 aspect ratio to 16x9. This has been done by brutally cropping the top and bottom of the screen.
It would be barbaric enough to have so thoughtlessly edited an animated classic, where the visual element is so rich, but it also results in some scenes that now hardly make any sense. One such example is when the little boy - waking in the morning and realising it is snowing - dresses so quickly he forgets to put on his shoes and socks, which is pointed out by his mother. However, and somewhat farcically, the brutal cropping has resulted in the boy's feet being out of view when his mother does this and she may as well be pointing at the floor.
The really annoying issue here is why this change to 16x9 has been done. My guess is that the publisher has decided that we are now all so philistine that we would simply refuse to watch an "old-fashioned" 4x3 picture, unable to comprehend why two black bars appear down either side of the screen. Better to mutilate a classic to make sure that our gargantuan wall-mounted plasmas are filled to the brim.
Whatever you do, avoid this release, and seek one that has the original 4x3 - as I will now be doing.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Auntinita
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Treated this for myself as I love it. I've been to see the show a couple of times, but now I have my own DVD to watch whenever I want. It has a 'real good feel' to the story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
The snowman
Arrived well packaged and on time. Whether grandchildren have seen this on tv too many times, but they weren't particularly interested in DVD.
Published 26 days ago by Grandma
4.0 out of 5 stars
New edition
I had the VHS and I needed the DVD because, as a Primary teacher of English in Spain, I use to watch it with my students every winter. I prefer the first edition. I don't know why. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alix
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as a present for my grandson ~ a fantasy story
My (just 3 years old) grandson is enthralled by this story. Magical! He enjoys the idea of a snowman exploring inside the house.
Published 1 month ago by Anne Read
5.0 out of 5 stars
For All Ages
An animation to suit all ages. Loved watching it on Christmas Eve with my children as they were growing up and it has now become a yearly tradition which is now being passing on to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by E Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
YES
IF YOU HAVE CHIDREN THEN YES THIS IS FOR YOU ,THE SONG HAS MADE IT FAMOUS ON ITS OWN ALONE.
Published 1 month ago by henryone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Childrens DVD
Always had a copy of this for the grandchildren but wore out so got this new one. Brilliant flim for chilldren
Published 2 months ago by Joyce Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars
bring backs childhood memories
one of my favourite stories from childhood. i remember watching it on VCR, so i bought it for my kids but i guess my kids (3,2) were too young to accept the sad ending. Read more
Published 2 months ago by grace
4.0 out of 5 stars
good buy !
bought this for my 3 year old granddaughter,she loved it-and I must have seen it 6 times at least during Christmas :-) beautifully made film.
Published 2 months ago by annukka
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
i have snowman figurines that my grandson loves. He seem to be in to snowmen. So i decided to buy this dvd and he totally loved it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by bookmoviefanatic
3.0 out of 5 stars
Classic from the past
I bought this DVD for my brother who claims to have everything Bowie has on vinyl, cd or in a book. It arrived on time but the case was so badly damaged I had to replace it with a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. A. Coogan
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