Raymond Brigg’s The Snowman
The Snowman is a children’s book by English author Raymond Briggs, published in 1978. In 1982, this book was turned into a 26-minute animated movie by Dianne Jackson for the fledgling Channel 4. It was first shown on Channel 4 late on Christmas Eve in 1982 and was an immediate success. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Animated Short Film in 1983. It has been shown every year since and has become a part of British and international Christmas popular culture.
The book is wordless, as is the film except for the song “Walking in the Air”. The story is told through picture, action and music. The cartoon version was scored by Howard Blake who wrote both music and lyrics of the song and also composed and conducted the complete orchestral score for the film with his own orchestra, the Sinfonia of London.
I’ve posted this before, I think, but it bears repeating. It’s an excellent (and secular) Wintertime story, lovingly drawn and animated in colored pencil. It has an awesome score, too, and a filmed introduction by none other than Sir David Bowie.
Thanks to my friend Travis, The Snowman has become an adulthood tradition for me. I recommend you check it out, especially if you have children of your own and would like to expose them to something less commercial and mainstream than the typical Christmastime fare.
Happy New Year, everyone. xo
So lovely. And it makes me want snow.
