Customer Reviews

Thomas & Friends - Thomas' Snowy Surprise

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If I was a Thomas fan in America I would feel slightly short changed that this DVD features 3 episodes that have been on other Thomas releases meanwhile in the UK, a new Thomas DVD features 8 brand new episodes made in 2003 and never before been seen anywhere.

I am confused as to what is going on exactly, not all of the 2002 season has been released in any country yet but a new season has already been made only one year later and is being released in the UK already(?)

Anyway, about this DVD-

Thomas's Snowy Surprise Story David Mitton, Writer James Mason(Titled It's Only Snow in UK) Thomas gets into trouble with a Christmas Tree when his snow plough breakes down.

Jack Frost, Story David Mitton, Writer Paul Larson- The engines are convinced that Jack Frost is just a legend but when Percy stays out on a freezing night, they are in for a big surprise!

Toby Had A Little Lamb, Writer Jenny Mcdade. Toby is the only one who can help Farmer Mcall get through the snow with his new baby lambs.

Those first 3 are all brand new episodes then comes-

Snow, 1998. Rusty tells Thomas the story of Skarloey's adventures in the snow during an avalanche.

Thomas's Christmas Party, 1984. Thomas and friends help Mrs Kindly who is trapped in the snow and then have a special party to celebrate.

Thomas and The Missing Christmas tree, 1986. Thomas is on a mission to collect the Christmas tree but heavy snow leads to trouble, can Thomas make it home for the carrols?

It would be hard to better the previous Christmas song "Snow Song" but this new Christmas song "Winter Wonderland" is just as good and would be enjoyed by all.

So overall this DVD would bring a smile to any Thomas fan this Christmas, the new episodes are pretty good and although it is a bit annoying to get 3 repeats, they ae classic episodes and the song rounds it off nicely.
Definetly recommended!

If you are expecting an "all-new" Thomas DVD, this is not it. There are a few stories here that appeared on the earlier "Thomas' Winter Wonderland," which was a stronger collection. I have mentioned this on other Thomas DVD reviews, but once again it seems that Alec Baldwin is here and there when it comes to using consistent voices with these characters. Not a bad set (I applaud any new Thomas release), but I found this somewhat disappointing. Now when are they going to release "The Best Of Toad The Brake Van"?

One last question: Are they ever going to put these episodes in order? On many DVDs, stories that relate to one another are clearly out of order. It would be nice if the video folks put a little more care into these things.

NOTE ADDED: Well, they ARE finally releasing Thomas adventures in order. At present, THOMAS & FRIENDS: THE EARLY YEARS is now available (though it really should be called "The Earliest Year" or "Year One" since I have read that is what is covered in this three-disc set). I hope there are more sets released.

We had purchased the Halloween release and my son watched it over and over again. So when this winter/Christmas offering came along, we had to snap it up. A great collection of five or six episodes, and a concluding music video. Sure to please the young, the young at heart, and the train lover. Also a great way to provide mom and dad some variety.

The actual Thomas videos are standard fare, but the video extras are not very exciting. There's one sing-a-long, which is "Winter Wonderland." Our copy came with a cute frozen Percy and Christmas Caboose.

We have found that with the Carlin/Baldwin/Starr (this one is Carlin/Baldwin), our son is not as interested as with the British narrator. Our son (two and a half) is used to watching Thomas on Saturday mornings on PBS. This is our first video. It has taken him a while to get used to the different narrators. Actually, the first few times, he lost interest almost immediately. As he has become used to the different narrator, he's gained interest, but if this is your first entry into the different narrators, just keep this in mind!

Overall, I'm just glad to finally have Thomas on demand!

Those are new!!!
Thomas' Snowy Surprise:
It's Christmas & Thomas & Toby have to deliver a Christmas tree to 1 of the villages on Thomas' branch line. However the snow is getting deeper & deeper, & when Thomas' snowplough breaks, will the special train get to the village on time?
Jack Frost:
The weather is getting colder so the Fat Controller asks James & Percy to make extra coal deliveries. Thomas warns them that they must be careful or else Jack Frost will get them. James thinks this is a load of nonsense, but Percy believes him. Percy makes his delivery but is trapped on an icy siding for the night. He develops icicles - & then James goes past, & thinks Percy is Jack Frost!
Toby Had A Little Lamb:
Snow has arrived on the Island of Sodor, but for Farmer McColl this has caused trouble. His lambs are trapped on the hills & only Toby can help him rescue them.
Snow:
It's snowing on the Island of Sodor, & Thomas & Rusty are talking. Both are trapped at the tunnel & can't go any further until the workmen clear the snow away. Rusty tells Thomas about the time Skarloey was travelling through a ravine when an avalanche came down on him. When Rusty came to rescue Skarloey, he found Skarloey was able to laugh about the whole incident.Back in the present,Gordon comes past to hear the end of the story & reckons big engines would have done things differently. Indeed they do, as when Gordon gets covered by snow, he moans & complains until he is free!
Thomas' Christmas Party:

It's Christmas on the Island of Sodor, & after Edward reminds Thomas, Toby was good. & Mrs. Kyndley & Sir Topham Hatt use,It must be Christmas!
Thomas & The Missing Christmas Tree:
The Fat Controller sends Thomas to fetch the Christmas Tree for the christmas party,but on the way back he gets stuck under a big snowdrift. Back at Knapford Station, no-one knows what happened to Thomas, so Donald & Douglas go out to look for him. Will Thomas get home in time?
Winter Wonderland (music video)

This song was devoted to the engines from the snow.

"Thomas's Snowy Surprise" is a fantastic Christmas video, better than "Thomas's Christmas Wonderland," and could possibly give the first video a run for its money. "It's Only Snow" isn't the most original of storylines but has brilliant music to make up for it. "Jack Frost" is somewhat scary but still a very enjoyable episode, and "Toby Had a Little Lamb" is a heart-warming tale of courage and determination. The other three episodes are pretty good too despite having already been seen on other videos. Though "Snow" seems to lack something, the other two are true holiday classics. This is a must-have for your collection.

So if it's so good, why have I only given it four stars? The reason is because of Alec Baldwin's narration. His narration for the first three episodes is probably his worst ever. He puts no emotion or enthusiasm into his readings, and comes up with some very bad character voices...his Edward voice in particular, which makes him sound like a thug. His narration for "Snow" isn't very good either. George Carlin narrates the last two episodes, and he does a far better job of it.

But put aside Baldwin's terrible narration and you've got one of the best Thomas videos out there. Buy it.

This is a nice DVD for the Thomas fan, although it is fairly short. Stories include "It's Only Snow," "Jack Frost," "Toby Had a Little Lamb," "Snow," "Thomas' Christmas Party," and "Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree." There are also three very short, very easy games--"Thomas' Order Fun," "Match the Snowflake," and Decorate a Christmas Tree." For those with young children who are huge Thomas fans, this will be a welcome addition to your DVD collection.

Narrated by Alec Baldwin and George Carlin.

This is one of _my_ best video I have ever heard from any websites I can hear. Well, let me view the episodes. [laugh]

EPISODES ARE: -

1) It's Only Snow
2) Jack Frost
3) Toby Had A Little Lamb
4) Snow
5) Thomas' Christmas Party
6) Thomas & The Missing Christmas Tree

RUNNING TIME - 35 Minutes

by Michael Higham

I purchased this after previewing the video on the product page. It also says it is from 2009. Neither of these are true. This video is from 2003 before CGI was used in Thomas and Friends. The video is fine, but not what we were expecting to get and did not hold the attention of my toddlers.

We just received this video and my little guy just LOVES it! I play it quite a few times during the day and it's really quite cute. He loves all the stories, especially the one with the avalanche and poor old Stephney gets covered in snow. This is a holiday video, no doubt there, but it's especially nice throughout the year as well. The cover is just beautiful too - it's snowflakes that shine. They did a great job on this video and I highly recommend it.