MovieChat Forums > The Snowman (1984) Discussion > Affected me as a toddler

Affected me as a toddler

posted 16 years ago by b_imdb-199
10 replies | jump to latest

I first saw this film during Christmas 1986 when I was three. Anyway I remember being enthralled with the magic flying snowman and for a child it was sheer joy...until the ending. It was the first time that I had experienced the feelings of extreme sadness and grief. I got into a right state and couldn't be consoled. I remember my mum trying to explain that the snowman had taken his 'snow coat' off and flown away because it had stopped snowing. He was a flying spirit that took different forms. Eventually my sadness subsided when my dad bought me a huge cuddly snowman just like the one from the film.

As other have said this was the first time that I was exposed to the fact that not everything is fine and dandy.

Was any else affected by this film when they were young?

[–] majinlink 16 years ago

Yeah, I, too, remember experiencing similar feelings when the snowman melted. I was so young. It was quite difficult to watch...

[–] d4v3cs 15 years ago

yes. It's my earliest lesson on all good things come to an end.
Friendships, love, relationships, success....death awaits us all.

[–] trickyrgg 15 years ago

me too im 27 now and was born when this animation came out, i cannot think of anything that makes me feel so nostalgic, it beautiful

[–] turns-out-im-evil 15 years ago

I remember seeing this back in '94, maybe, back when I was in kindergarten. I didn't cry, but I was kind of depressed after watching. They showed it to us at school and I wasn't a happy camper after I'd seen it.

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[–] hixey 15 years ago

How interesting. I had a very similar experience the first time I saw it as a toddler..... I was so sad... it's crazy thinking back on the first time you realized how real life works... sometimes I really miss the ignorance...

[–] rita_allee 15 years ago

I'd never seen this film until this past Christmas, when my mom bought my 2 1/2 year old the DVD. He absolutely loves this movie, he could watch it over and over (and often has). He's never shown any sadness, but, for me, it's a very depressing cartoon, especially the "Walking in the Air" song.

[–] Degree7 15 years ago

Had this on video when I was little. Maybe about 3 or 4, and I'd watch it every Christmas. It's good that the film has received so much recognition from the industry, as I really think such gems as this rarely come about in children's material anymore. The animation is simply sublime as well. Maybe my nostalgia is bringing about a bias, but I just love it so much, I rated it 10/10.

What the... I didn't have any CORN!

[–] MajorTom123 15 years ago

I also felt profound sorrow and still do as I watch it 20 years later (must have been around '90).

[–] darkangel2003 13 years ago

28, and I remember being absolutely crushed when I first saw this. I wept for ages. I guess this (and perhaps Bambi) where my first introduction to the notion that nothing lasts forever.

I remember watching a TV show a couple of years ago, that had a feature on The Snowman. I can't remember who who said it (may have been Raymond Briggs) - but apparently at the end when the kid is looking down upon the scarf, it was supposed to start snowing. Symbolising rebirth and moving on with life etc.

[–] Excaliburan 12 years ago

I was in nursery school when I saw this. That was probably around 1989.

Anyway, I don't really remember how I felt. I suppose I didn't take it too hard, because this film was one of my favorites as a child. I'd request to see it in school and at home. I liked the idea of having a snowman as a friend.

Yes, the ending was sad, but I used to think the boy would see his frosty friend again next winter.

Perry: "You, stop multiplying!"