Father Christmas (1991)

The answer to what Father Christmas does with the 360+ days of the year that he isn't working comes courtesy of another Raymond Briggs adaptation.
The red-nosed gift-giver sounds remarkably like comedian Mel Smith (because it is) and lives in England, which was news to me. We witness him holidaying in Europe and America, indulging his passions at the expense of his suffering wallet. His antics make him somewhat relatable, but he's too much of a complainer to actually like very much. It has a slight connection to The Snowman (1982), but it isn't in the same league. And while the character designs are similar, the animation is less pencil-esque pretty than the other.

2½ bloomin trots of 5

The Snowman (1982)

Based on Raymond Briggs' picture book (1978) of the same name, the beautifully hand-drawn frame animation The Snowman has become a British national treasure over the years. My version has David Bowie trying to fool viewers into believing that he was the kid who went on a magical moonlit adventure; if that's true, why was he opening James Brighton's present?
I love how the snowman is as awed by the peculiar world of man as much as the kid is awed by the walking snowman, and I love how music takes the place of words. Only once is there lyrics, a single song that's come to define the entire production. It's used during the scene that's referenced and parodied most, but in tandem they capture the magic of youth superbly. But for me it's the animation's memorable ending that really makes it special.

3½ chilled revellers out of 5

When the Wind Blows (1986)

WtWB is based on the book by Raymond Briggs. It keeps his character designs and his simplicity and is all the better for doing so.
The voice work is superb. The everyday dialogue makes the elderly couple seem familiar to everyone; they're typical grandparents. Their faith and love for each other is endearing. We care for them, which makes it all the more heartbreaking when we have to watch them fend for themselves in a situation for which they're very ill-equipped.
A stunning animation that's little-known outside of Britain, it deserves a wider audience. I highly recommend it to every film lover, not just animation fans.
The music by ex-Pink Floyd member Roger Waters is a perfect fit.

4 governmental specifications out of 5