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.

Unlike lots of people I didn't grow up watching The Snowman as a kid every Christmas and have merely discovered it amid all the hype about the very belated sequel 'The Snowman and the snow dog'.It was very interesting to see what all the hype is it. Make no bones about it, The Snowman is one of the few things that deserves its place as a classic piece of Christmas TV. It has heart, it has a great story and it even has a song in it that you may just have heard once or twice before.The sequel has a lot of the same elements but this original as is so often the case is far superior and will probably be continued to be shown on television every Christmas for a long time to come.

This short is simply perfect. It has perfect animation, perfect music, and a great story. When Christmas classics are brought up I want one of the first things to come out of peoples mouths to be this short. It just does everything right. You like the characters despite no dialogue, and enjoy watching. The whole thing is great, but the best part is the flying scene. It is the closest I can imagine to an actual experience of non assisted flight. People could throw some 3-D movie at me with a flight scene, but this film is just way more genuine with the experience. You feel the wonder completely as it takes you over, and if you close your eyes you will feel like you are lifting off the floor. Also along with the amazing animation I love the music. The animation and soundtrack go together perfectly. The best part of music by far though is you guessed it the flying scene. This is a masterpiece on every level. Happy Holidays. My present to all of you is recommendation of this short. I hope you are filled with the same kind of amazement I was.