Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #160 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-11-03
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 26 minutes

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

Synopsis
Delightfully animated story describing how a young boy's snowman comes to life at midnight. Introduction by David Bowie. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs.

Customer Reviews

Perfect Christmas Eve Viewing For All Ages!
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!

A very special video!
It just doesn't get better than this. The Snowman is the tale of a little boy who builds a snowman and the snowman comes to life! The boy brings the snowman in the house and they have fun in the kitchen and bedroom, and then they fly to the North Pole to see Santa Claus. It's all done without dialog and the soundtrack of "We're walking in the air..." is so wistful and bittersweet, you'll just love it. The drawings have a soft, childlike quality that goes well with the sense of wonder and innocence. The whole story is sentimental, funny, and first-rate. You and your family will love it.

Magic to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
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.