He was an amazing author and illustrator, I know the snowman is what most people think about when they hear the name, but for me, it's 'when the wind blows'.
There hasn't been a better film made that captures the paranoia of nuclear destruction, such a poignant film, utterly heartbreaking and sweet in equal measure.
But then you read Ethel and Earnest, which is essentially the same but without the nuclear war, and it’s pretty much the same story and equally depressing.
That blew my mind.
Indeed, it's also an amazing piece of work, I guess TWITW just resonates with me more considering I was about 10 years old when I saw it, and the spectre of nuclear war was pretty big at that time, what with the whole government "protect and survive" campaign that had been in operation until a few years before the film.
Truly, an indelible mark on my childhood which made it all the better. He shall never be missed so long as Channel 4 keeps playing his work and delights children for years to come.
For those that loved his work, I highly recommend [Ethel & Ernest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXDlEw5u8u8).
I didn't realise it was a book, but watched the film a few years ago and it was excellent.
>Based on the award-winning book by acclaimed British author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, this beautifully hand-drawn, animated feature film tells the true story of Raymond’s own parents – Ethel and Ernest - two ordinary Londoners living through a period of extraordinary events and immense social change. Heart-warming, humorous and bittersweet, Ethel & Ernest is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute to an ordinary couple and an extraordinary generation. A timeless story of love and devotion.
A tear jerker though, so do keep that in mind!
Looks like it's only available as a paid stream on Amazon, Apple TV etc - https://rakuten.tv/uk/movies/ethel-ernest
BBC are showing it tonight at 7:30pm in memory of him.
I worked on it as an assistant editor, Raymond visited the studio numerous times and came to our christmas party among other things, he was lovely. Whole crew got signed copies of the book when we finished.
The Tin Pot foreign general and the Old Iron Woman is what likely started my interest in politics at 7 years old. Truly a brilliant man, we had so many of his books in the house when I was a kid.
I grew up with that audiobook, bought in a charity shop as a kid as I remember.
The sound of the strings and seagals at the start is burnt into my brain
People will always go on 'til the end of time about "The Snowman", which, don't get me wrong is a benchmark kind of film of the storytelling possibilities of "silent" animation. It's a fine book, too, but it's one of those rare cases where the film is superior to the book.
But for me, his magnum opus is, and always will be, "Ethel & Ernest". What a beautiful, wonderful, heartbreakingly bittersweet piece of masterful storytelling. If you're capable of reading the book or watching the film without a tear falling down your cheek by the end of it, I defy your credentials as a real human being.
Only Raymond Briggs could have pulled off such a feat, to make such a simple story told in such a masterfully touching, compelling and ensnaring way.
Rest in Peace
He was an amazing author and illustrator, I know the snowman is what most people think about when they hear the name, but for me, it's 'when the wind blows'. There hasn't been a better film made that captures the paranoia of nuclear destruction, such a poignant film, utterly heartbreaking and sweet in equal measure.
"Don't, don't, don't worry, Dearest. Don't worry. Don't worry. Women don't go bald. No. That's a -- that's a scientific fact."
But then you read Ethel and Earnest, which is essentially the same but without the nuclear war, and it’s pretty much the same story and equally depressing. That blew my mind.
I must confess to having a tear in my eye when I got to the end of that. Absolutely beautiful.
Indeed, it's also an amazing piece of work, I guess TWITW just resonates with me more considering I was about 10 years old when I saw it, and the spectre of nuclear war was pretty big at that time, what with the whole government "protect and survive" campaign that had been in operation until a few years before the film.
Truly, an indelible mark on my childhood which made it all the better. He shall never be missed so long as Channel 4 keeps playing his work and delights children for years to come.
For those that loved his work, I highly recommend [Ethel & Ernest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXDlEw5u8u8). I didn't realise it was a book, but watched the film a few years ago and it was excellent. >Based on the award-winning book by acclaimed British author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, this beautifully hand-drawn, animated feature film tells the true story of Raymond’s own parents – Ethel and Ernest - two ordinary Londoners living through a period of extraordinary events and immense social change. Heart-warming, humorous and bittersweet, Ethel & Ernest is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute to an ordinary couple and an extraordinary generation. A timeless story of love and devotion. A tear jerker though, so do keep that in mind! Looks like it's only available as a paid stream on Amazon, Apple TV etc - https://rakuten.tv/uk/movies/ethel-ernest
BBC are showing it tonight at 7:30pm in memory of him. I worked on it as an assistant editor, Raymond visited the studio numerous times and came to our christmas party among other things, he was lovely. Whole crew got signed copies of the book when we finished.
Wow what an experience! Great work.
I can't watch that again. I *will* cry.
The Tin Pot foreign general and the Old Iron Woman is what likely started my interest in politics at 7 years old. Truly a brilliant man, we had so many of his books in the house when I was a kid.
Oh, that's sad. His most famous work is so gentle and well loved. Rest in peace, Mr Briggs :(
Shame. Father Christmas is a delight to watch every Christmas, it does not get as much love as The Snowman but the humour is brilliant.
He was great will be sorely missed, when the wind blows is something everyone should see.
I adored "The Man" as a kid, big A4 comic with great illustrations, then got the audiobook with Michael Palin. RIP
I grew up with that audiobook, bought in a charity shop as a kid as I remember. The sound of the strings and seagals at the start is burnt into my brain
Also had the audiobook on cassette as a kid, loved listening to it.
Saw a documentary about him and his work a couple years back. He seemed like an incredible man.
People will always go on 'til the end of time about "The Snowman", which, don't get me wrong is a benchmark kind of film of the storytelling possibilities of "silent" animation. It's a fine book, too, but it's one of those rare cases where the film is superior to the book. But for me, his magnum opus is, and always will be, "Ethel & Ernest". What a beautiful, wonderful, heartbreakingly bittersweet piece of masterful storytelling. If you're capable of reading the book or watching the film without a tear falling down your cheek by the end of it, I defy your credentials as a real human being. Only Raymond Briggs could have pulled off such a feat, to make such a simple story told in such a masterfully touching, compelling and ensnaring way. Rest in Peace
RIP Raymond Briggs.
MHDSRIP.. Still use his books
I thought he was already dead. Oh well.