The Snowman was originally a childrens book written by Raymond Briggs. The Snowman was written in 1978 and was turned into a 26 minute long animated film in 1982.
The Snowman is introduced by David Bowie, who claims to be the boy from the story (and has the scarf to prove it). The story ... Read review
The Snowman: Nominated for an Oscar (Best Animated Short Film 1982) this delightful ... more
animation weaves a spell of magical enchantment as a young boy's snowman comes to life and escorts him on a magical flying visit to the North Pole. Absolutely superla...
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The Snowman:Raymond Briggs' The Snowman is one of the most beautiful and charming films ... more
ever made.Adapted from Raymond Briggs' best-selling book and nominated for an Oscar in 1982, it is the story of a boy whose snowman comes to life at midnight, and the two embark on a series of magical adventures.Awarded the British Academy Award for best children's entertainment of 1982, The Snowman is an essential children's classic.Father Christmas:This is a story of what it is really like to be Father Christmas.Raymond Briggs' grumpy but lovable Father Christmas, hero of two highly popular books, is now the star of a hilarious animated film. After his blooming marvellous holiday, Father Christmas and his reindeer are up and away on the whirlwind Christmas delivery tour.The voice of Father Christmas is provided by actor and comedian Mel Smith.
Family - Director: Sarah Ball - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Neil Morrissey, Noddy Holder, Alison Steadman, Stephen Tompkinson, Chris Evans, Elton John, Bob The Builder
Advantages: Two great christmas films on one DVD, classic family films Disadvantages: Grumpy Father Christmas may put some off, no extras on the DVD
The Snowman was originally a childrens book written by Raymond Briggs. The Snowman was written in 1978 and was turned into a 26 minute long animated film in 1982.
The Snowman is introduced by David Bowie, who claims to be the boy from the story (and has the scarf to prove it). The story of The Snowman starts on a snowy, winters morning - all the houses, fields and trees are covered in thick snow. A young boy (James) wakes up in his ... ...begins to get dark and the boy has go to indoors to bed, but all he can think about is his snowman. He eventually gets in his bed and falls asleep, but shortly before midnight the boy wakes up and goes downstairs to have another glimse at his snowman. The clock strikes midnight and the boy can't believe his eyes when his snowman comes to life! The boy and snowman embark on an all night adventure which sees them exploring the boys house, riding a ... more
The Snowman was originally a childrens book written by Raymond Briggs. The Snowman was written in 1978 and was turned into a 26 minute long animated film in 1982.
The Snowman is introduced by David Bowie, who claims to be the boy from the story (and has the scarf to prove it). The story of The Snowman starts on a snowy, winters morning - all the houses, fields and trees are covered in thick snow. A young boy (James) wakes up in his bed, sees the snow and runs outside to play. He makes footprints, throw snowballs and finally makes a big snowman with a green scarf and hat, satsuma nose and cole for eyes and buttons. It begins to get dark and the boy has go to indoors to bed, but all he can think about is his snowman. He eventually gets in his bed and falls asleep, but shortly before midnight the boy wakes up and goes downstairs to have another glimse at his snowman. The clock strikes midnight and the boy can't believe his eyes when his snowman comes to life! The boy and snowman embark on an all night adventure which sees them exploring the boys house, riding a motorbike, flying through the skies and attending a very special party.
One thing which I love about The Snowman is that there are no voices or sounds - everything is done by an orchestra. All activities, emotions and feelings are captured and conveyed by different instruments. The Snowman also features the well known song 'Walking In The Air' sung by Peter Auty (a young Aled Jones also released the song in 1985).
The illustrations are lovely - very simple, quite grainy and slightly dated but this all adds to the charm of the film. The length of the film is also good as it is long enough to tell a good story but doesn't drag on and holds a childs attention right through to the end.
The only thing which I've never really liked about the film is the ending, but I couldn't imagine it any other way. It's quite a tear jerker and could quite easily upset young children (but don't let this put you off).
I have great nostalgic memories of The Snowman and watching it on repeat every christmas when I young. This is a great film for the festive season and will get everybody in a feel good, christmas mood.
The second film on the DVD is called Father Christmas.
Father Christmas originated from two seperate childrens books written by Raymond Briggs. Father Christmas was written in 1973 and Father Christmas Goes On Holiday (the sequel) was written in 1975. In 1991 the books were made into a short animated film.
The film tells the story of how Father Christmas spends the other 364 days of the year and shows you how he spent his past year. It turns out Father Christmas has had quite an eventful year and has travelled to France, Scotland and Las Vegas. When Father Christmas eventually comes home he is met with loads of stressful christmas preparations and as Christmas Eve arrives Father Christmas makes his way around the world delivering presents. When all the presents have been delivered Father Christmas makes his way to a party where he is met by James and The Snowman (from the previous film on the DVD) and realises he has forgotton to deliver a present to a very special someone.
Father Christmas is not portrayed as the happy jolly man that everybody knows and loves, instead he is quite a miserable man that says the word "bloomin" quite a lot. He is also voiced by Mel Smith and doesn't live in the North Pole, instead he lives in a terrace house. Father Christmas is seen doing a lot of everyday household chores such as washing up and feeding his pets. There is no sign of snow, elves, Mrs Claus or toy workshops - all traditional things that you would usually associate with Father Christmas. This might be slightly off putting for some and might take some getting used to but Father Christmas is very amusing and likable and should win you over.
Overall I think Father Christmas has a good and unique story, with a different but still fun perspective on christmas. Young children might be slightly confused by Santa's behaviour but I imagine that most children will enjoy this film.
The only real downside to the DVD is that there are no extras. This might bother some people but it isn't a big deal for me as I don't usually bother with DVD extras.
You can find The Snowman/Father Christmas DVD at Play.com, Amazon.co.uk, HMV and Tesco (to name just a few). Price varies between £3.99 - £9.99.
Advantages: Magical stories, timeless classics, will get you in the Xmas spirit! Disadvantages: Nothing at all
...I found this one on the shelf. Harry grabbed it and kissed Father Christmas, so I put it on for my son's first ever viewing of the classic The Snowman and Father Christmas.
Both of these are stories by the wonderfully talented Raymond Briggs bought to life in animated short stories. The Snowman is probably the best known Christmas story there is for young children, dating all the way back to 1982, 4 years before I was even born! However, it remains ... ...my favourite ever version of the big guy, and watching this cartoon never fails to make me laugh and feel like Christmas is really coming!
The Snowman tells the story of a young boy called James who creates a snowman in his garden on a snowy Christmas Eve. Christmas magic must be in the air because the Snowman comes to life, and comes into James' house, trying on all the clothes and having fun with James. But more magic is to come when The Snowman ...
mummy2harry 12.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Snowman/Father Christmas (DVD)
Advantages: great classic,bargain Disadvantages: none
Raymond Briggs The Snowman and Father Christmas DVD…..
Last year in Woolworth's I saw this DVD was priced at a ridiculously cheap price of £5 so me being me I didn't hesitate to pop it into my, as usual, overflowing basket.
Both The Snowman and Father Christmas are absolute classics as far as I am concerned. I do believe that Father Christmas is shown pretty much every Christmas morning at an exceptionally early time. I do remember watching it ... ...time of day.
The Snowman film is basically a short cartoon which has no script and really does not need to have words as the story is told well enough by the use of music and the drawings. This is a film that came about in the early 80's and has a very popular sound track. The story is of a young boy who makes a snowman in his back garden only for the snowman to come alive that evening and take the boy on a magical journey. They visit the North ...
newby2 21.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Snowman/Father Christmas (DVD)
Raymond Briggs The Snowman and Father Christmas DVD.....
Last year in Woolworth's I saw this DVD was priced at a ridiculously cheap price of £5 so me being me I didn't hesitate to pop it into my, as usual, overflowing basket.
Both The Snowman and Father Christmas are absolute classics as far as I am concerned. I do believe that Father Christmas is shown pretty much every Christmas morning at an exceptionally early time. I do remember watching it ... ...time of day.
The Snowman film is basically a short cartoon which has no script and really does not need to have words as the story is told well enough by the use of music and the drawings. This is a film that came about in the early 80's and has a very popular sound track. The story is of a young boy who makes a snowman in his back garden only for the snowman to come alive that evening and take the boy on a magical journey. They visit the North ...
newby2 28.01.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Snowman/Father Christmas (DVD)
Advantages: that christmas glow Disadvantages: its not real
...me this is christmas, just the soundtrack from the film the snowman gets me going all mushy and that warm glow of christmas seeps into my bones, i watch both of the films every christmas with anyone who is about at the time, hubby, kids, friends, relatives, even my pat hamster, and i have never found anyone yet who find s them at all boring, and who doesn't get into the festive mood. christmas is my favourite time of the year, even if the kids are ... ...a buzz when i see the cuddly snowman floating through the air, and father christmasas big rosy cheeks. i do not feel the need to explain the story lines for the films, because if you have not seen either of them then you are sadly lacking in your christmas run up. oh just wouldn't anyone just love to have a pal who fly's you off on a christmassy adventure. i would just be happy with enough snow to make a snowman, it has been a good few years since ...
thehusseys 30.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Snowman/Father Christmas (DVD)
the snowman is about a boy who makes a snowman which comes to life.
the boy lets the snowman try on clothes and the snowman takes the boy flying over a snowy landscape where they end up in a wood with other snowmen dancing.
hand drawn makes this special features the song walking in the air by aled jones.
father christmas
my favourite.i love it.father christmas with his rosey red cheeks and his catchphrase another blooming christmas..
it makes ... ...returning home he sorts out the mail and packs up the toys..
these are great family cartoons my kids love these they find it difficult to sit and watch most things but these really hold their attention.
raymond briggs was born in1934 to a milkman father and ive heard that the father christmas was based on his dad doing a job in the cold and very early hours.
others created by him are the bear and when the wind blows.
i have not seen these. ...
paula32 06.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Snowman/Father Christmas (DVD)
Two animated features. In THE SNOWMAN a young boy's Snowman comes to life at midnight and together they set out on a wonderful adventure. FATHER CHRISTMAS tells the story of grumpy but loveable Father Christmas and what it is really like to be him.
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