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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
110 of 112 people found the following review helpful
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.
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
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.
22 of 25 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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just Perfect!!
Bought this as Christmas wouldn't be the same for us without it!! We watch it every year & were afraid it might be dropped - so needed one of our own - now can pass on to next... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Carakernow
The Snowman
The Snowman was purchased as a DVD to watch at Christmas, a timeless piece of history. It will be watched every year and even though it is always on the television, it is never on... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. M. P. Bettles
The Snowman
Good service arrived promptly ready for christmas. We all enjoyed watching the dvd very much and cannot wait to watch it again.
Published 4 months ago by Marian
As I remember....
I bought the Snowman DVD for my 3 children aged 2,7, and 10, as they had never seen it before. We had it playing in the back ground as we opened our Christmas presents. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jen
Just Great
Made a not so small girl very happy on Xmas morning, A Classic video which will be
around for just about forever
around for just about forever
Published 4 months ago by M Mols
fantastic for little ones....
I bought this for our Granddaughter aged 15 months...who loves music and stories. What a hit! It is beautiful,charming, exciting and calming in turn... Read more
Published 5 months ago by J DYER
A sadly mutilated classic
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... Read more
Published 5 months ago by John Jones
Great animation - but get the Region 1 version
This is a wonderful animation, which is a part of so many people's Christmas. However the Region 2 DVD does not have the original Briggs introduction and the picture is cropped to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by ted209
The snow man
Brilliant. My 3year old Granddaughter loves it and after watching it my -self I purchased a craft cd of The Snowman from another company to theme my hand made Christmas Cards this... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Pollyanna
the snowman
this is an excellent dvd my grandson of two was enthralled from start to Finnish as was his Nana its a classic
Published 7 months ago by anne
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