The Snowman (1982)

One of my all time favorites.

Don't Believe the Hype

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

I first came across this video in 1989 - 1990, bought it, then watched it every year around Christmastime with my two children before they went off to college (university). It became, in essence, a "family tradition" for our newly formed family of three: one estranged father; one son; one daughter.Although I can't really lay claim to being other than an aficionado of animated film, I would have to say that "The Snowman" ranks at the tippy top of my list of works of a similar art. The story...the music...the animation...are all immaculately conceived and executed.I can't recommend this video strongly enough to parents of young children. In our present-day age of video games and special effects, this simply drawn, animated film is a treasure -- and for the three of us, at least, an heirloom.RRB Brooklyn, NY, USA

Wordless (save for the song "Walking in the Air") animated adventure about a young English boy who makes a snowman one Christmas Eve, only for it to come to life that night and take him on a magical adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.I recall watching this film on Beta when I was a child, almost thirty years ago. And now, watching it again, I find that while individual scenes did not stick with me, the overall film did. That really says something about its power.Why the child refuses to wear proper winter clothing is unclear, but maybe that is normal in England.

I gave it a 9 coz there are a few things wrong with the film. If the snowman wasn't such a bad influence on the kid (making him fly through the air is just one of many), it would be a 10.I loved this film as a kid. I remember I got it for xmas one yr, maybe the early 90s, and my mum was well angry coz it was the first yr they showed it on the TV.anyways, it kept me silent for hours on end and my kids too! Definitely one for the kids.In a nutshell, the film is about a boy builds a snowman who comes to life and puts the boy in great danger constantly by making him drive a motorcycle, fly with only a snow- arm for protection, and then takes him to some giant snowman orgy in the north pole.Pedophillia aside, its visually stunning, but, primarily.... it keeps the kids silent.

Out of all the Christmas specials that are placed onto the screen every year, I am amazed that this short film hasn't made into every family's home. As the first of several book adaptations, children's author, Raymond Briggs has created a touching story about a bond that a small boy creates with a very unlikely individual. That individual is "The Snowman". Even though there are only a few components to this film that make it worth the viewer's time, they are all the equally effective. These components are the silent dialog, the music and the tone. The fact that The Snowman does not have any dialog makes it that much more involving with its audience. Because there is no talking, the audience must only watch and hear the music to what's happening. Otherwise, no one will have any clue to what's happening. This is why that silence is so compelling. Although I did not mention it earlier, the animation is commendable to the up-most degree. The fact that the animation was kept EXACTLY the same as the wordless storybook shows that no change was wanted in the film adaptation. Thank you animation department!As for the music, the music creates the tone and both of these go hand in hand here. Howard Blake, the composer of the score, is a genius. His ability to set all the right tones and cues for each scene was magnificently constructed. This is particularly why this film was so impressive. Blake's score was innocent and moving. If you're a score collector, this is one piece you don't want to miss.Raymond Brigg's children's storybook adaptation to the screen can melt the coldest of hearts. The whole 26 minutes worth will not be a waste.