After growing up with the Snowman in the UK on TV at Christmas annually I was able to introduce it to my kids over here in the US. Happy to say that despite being born in an age where top quality CGI animation is the norm, my 3 year old daughter is mesmerised by the Snowman every time she watches it.Seeing it as an adult makes you appreciate the animation that was done by hand back then. The great flight sequence and the accompanying song not sung by Aled Jones hold up today very well indeed.Why however it is given the rather sad ending says everything about the British Isles you need to know. After having a great time at the north pole with Santa and his new friend, the Snowman, little Billy wakes the next morning rushing down to see his new best friend. Only to find him melted into a pile on the ground, dead if you will. To further rub salt into the wounds, he still has the scarf given to him personally by Santa the night before. This confirms to the boy that the event really did happen, he really did fly with the snowman and really did get to visit Santa. AND HE WILL NEVER GET TO DO IT AGAIN. Naturally he breaks down in tears as the end credits roll.That right there is the harsh reality that those from and living in the UK love to deal their young, as a means of character building. None of that magic nonsense, off to school and when you graduate off you go down the coal mine.Happy days indeed.

I've seen this Christmas special several times over the festive period most years as well as 'Father Christmas' since I was a child and it is one of my favourites.The animation style is unique to other animated Christmas specials with its pencil/pastel drawing look. It does flicker but it is smooth nonetheless and the backgrounds, especially the exterior snowy ones, are pleasing to the eye. While the colours are not entirely vibrant, they're at their most beautiful on the Christmas tree lights inside James's family home, the Northern Lights in the sky towards the end of the 'Walking in the Air' sequence (my favourite part of the special with the lovely song and amazing flythroughs) and during the snowman party. The incidental music is lovely and memorable, particularly the instrumental versions of 'Walking in the Air' and that played during the snowman party while it does a sound job with driving the narrative throughout the special. While the ending is heartbreaking when the snowman melts, there are some amusing moments such as the snowman trying out different pieces of fruit for his nose, exploring James's parents' bedroom and the powerful musical notes playing as he sneezes. The only gripe is the live- action introduction with David Bowie playing the adult James that I probably saw for the first time upon re-visiting the special today because it is forgettable and I don't remember seeing it as a child.Overall, this is a must-see animated Christmas special every festive season, despite the David Bowie intro, with its music and animation as its redeeming qualities. 9/10.

Re-released by Sony DVD in 2006, buy this if you can find it. Essentially a hand-drawn children's picture-book come-to-life. The animation style seems a bit crude at first, but as you watch, you began to realize that it is highly sophisticated and computer-assisted. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, the drawings remind me of "The Polar Express" book. This animation style works for the most part, but the flying sequences seem a bit too grainy. (So turn down the "sharpness") The story is also magical: A young boy builds a snowman on the snowiest day ever and he comes to life. The Snowman wanders throughout the house, tries on clothing and false teeth, and watches television. They ride a motorcycle together. Suddenly, the boy and Snowman take flight and fly over the ocean to the North Pole. They spot a whale along the way. They both dance in the snowy forest with the other snowmen and snow-ladies. Santa gives him a Christmas Gift: a blue scarf to wear. The Snowman and the boy fly home together. The next day, the Snowman has melted away. Was it all a Christmas Dream? No. the scarf is in the pocket of his bathrobe.Technical: Animated in 1982, there is some dirt and negative wear on the transfer, but bright colors. Excellent sound. Scriptless except for the haunting song "Walking in the Air". Musical score throughout.Audience: Adults who love animation and most children. It's short--only 27 minutes in length. Originally shown (in 1982) on HBO with a new intro by David Bowie, the original intro is used here. Inspired a complete line of products in its day: bubble bath, soap, the original picture-book. I predict that if you have never seen this before, you will watch it twice the first time. It's that good. Mild PG: Very brief shot of a child's "rear" as he changes clothes to go outdoors. No worse than a similar scene in Disney's "Night Before Christmas" 1940's cartoon.

really special. for flavor of childhood. for drawing and music. for innocent story. and, sure, for credible image of Santa Claus , remembering the figure of Saint Nicholas. it is strange/difficult to write a review about it because it is a film far from words. must see it ! like a good food, like a beautiful picture, each description remains only dust, shadow of a great thing. essential - it is a kind of memories box. images, sounds, the crumbs of drawing class, first snowman, expectation of Chhristmas Eve, all is present in a delicate-precise form. it is beautiful. really beautiful. not only as Christas film. but as way to stop the time. and discover old traces of a miraculous age.