We’re Walking in the Air – the Art of Christmas Movies

By Millie Barker

Illustration from Raymond Brigg’s The Snowman. Image courtesy of the Art Newspaper: Raymond Briggs/Penguin.

Since my childhood, it has been a ritual to watch The Snowman by John Coates 1982. The 26-minute animated movie is based on the illustrated book by Raymond Briggs, first published in the UK 1978, which tells of a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life at midnight.

The wordless animation is brought to life by an orchestral soundtrack, including ‘Walking in the Air’ by Peter Auty. The hand-drawn animation follows Brigg’s original illustration style, whereby crayons create a soft fluidity and sense of movement. The overlay of falling snow, numerous little white circles, animate the deep blue sky.

As we follow the little boy into the garden, where the soft blue hues of the midnight snow are illuminated by warm yellow light, we are reminded of snuggling by the fire on a cold December eve. Awaiting us in the garden is a tall snowman, wearing a green hat and scarf, and a soft smile beneath his carrot nose. He is beckoning us on an adventure.

The Snowman. Image courtesy of The Snowman.

Whatever Christmas movie belongs to your ritual, I hope you find adventure and joy, just like the snowman and the little boy soaring through the sky.