Having watched Eagle Eye's interpretation of the excellent Professor T and not-so-good remake of Before We Die, I went back to their first release, The Clown.
Despite the very English voice of Helen Bonham-Carter (you know whom she is even if, like me, you have never seen her in anything despite us both being born in the same year) and based on the story by the national treasure Quentin Blake, there is a strong international feel to this unlike Channel 4's classic The Snowman and, to be honest, a lot less magical.
With everyone's Christmas plans thrown in the air due to covid then this may have passed some people by (I watched it in the heatwave if the following July).
I found it slow, clown didn't look loveable and the other toys didn't come to life but there is a sweet, but not exactly endearing, ending which kids will like.
The Making Of Clown programme was far more interesting for me but such a shame that most of the contributors from animators to musicians to production staff seemed to be from Italy.
I am sure it will sell well internationally with their own voice overs. This was just very far from being a very British Christmas animation.
I doubt it will become a festive staple but might keep your kids occupied for 20 minutes on one occasion.
I will look forward to this year's release, The Abominable Snowman with greater hope.
