This justly famous short story is surprisingly simple in its construction and densely emotional in its impact. There are familiar plot elements: ugly old man meets beautiful young girl, they develop a close relationship. In some ways one is moved to think of Silas Marner, there are both rich and rigid qualities in their love, never consummated, sharply constrained. The eroticism of Rhayader's relationship with the girl, Fritha, is almost totally suppressed but it is bursting out of the story repeatedly before the final scenes. It's like the sensual heat of Girl With A Pearl Earring, deeply heartfelt and almost completely unexpressed. Vermeer painted the girl from life; Rhayader painted his girl from memory, a symbolic reflection of his restrained character and the repressed relationship. The story line of Snow Goose is mostly mundane, Gallico easily sustains a dramatic tension, although the Dunkirk evacuation scenes are almost disembodied, almost a charade with the forced Cockney accents dominating the dialog. Snow Goose is eminently poetic, the ending that every reader can anticipate occurs with realistic sadness and realistic revelation. Fritha feels the words in her heart: "Philip, I love 'ee." The long-patient viewer is finally released to wordless exultation. Read more on my blog: Barley Literate by Rick

The Snow Goose is one of the most moving films about the relationships between birds and man ever made. The film was made on the Blackwater in Essex, at the sea wall near and around Osea Road,( which leads to Osea Island). My wife's family owned a caravan close to where the film would have been shot since the 1950's, and my wife grew up spending a lot of her childhood in the area that the film so beautifully depicts. We no longer own a caravan there but would love to see the film again.The atmosphere in the film reflects the magic of the Blackwater. The honking geese are still part of the landscape,although the snow goose would be a very rare visitor. All the cast portray the essence of the local people and make them real.Please help us to see this wonderful film again.

This 1971 Hallmark Hall of Fame television production was a priceless gift to those viewers lucky enough to have seen it. The program was run at least twice in the '70s but is now "lost" to the public --- no VHS, no DVD. What a shame. The values that Gallico's story presents are timeless, and Richard Harris and Jenny Agutter were never better. And wrenching? I remember well a room full of adults, men and women alike, sobbing at the conclusion of the program. Folks, THAT"S what a great film is all about.Other Hallmark productions can be seen on VHS or DVD, but not "The Snow Goose." If only Hallmark would "care enough to send the very best" back to us.

I read the short story in middle school and saw the TV version as an undergraduate. I will never forget either. Now that the late, great Richard Harris has recently passed away, won't someone look into offering this on DVD or Video? I look for it each and every Christmas on PBS. Some thirty years later, it still haunts me. It will break your heart, but is so worthy of attention.I look forward to comments from other baby boomers who remember the PBS movie. A little gem of a film.