Just in case anyone was missing it in the UK, we’ve recently had some heavy snows in January which our media has been comparing to the snowfalls of 1963 and 1981. In celebration, Geoff looks at scifi movies that rely on snow.

Hello everyone

As this month, at least in my material on the opening page, is more science orientated, lets commit an experiment here that can be done this time of the year providing you have the right ingredients.

Just in case anyone was missing it in the UK, we’ve recently had some heavy snows in January which our media has been comparing to the snowfalls of 1963 and 1981 which I also had first had experience of and thought worse than what we had recently. Gods, that’s going to make me sound old. It also looks like we’re in for some more snowfalls in February so plenty of time for some preparation.



Although my native Somerset seems to have gotten off lightly compared to other parts of Britain, when we get it we know the rest of the country is in trouble. For those who live in far-off lands and don’t know, when the wind direction changes Britain systematically get snowy weather from Siberia, the Arctic and even America depending on how the weather depressions and the winds bring it in and we’re not sure how bad it will be until it arrives. As it doesn’t really get that extreme in the south-west that often, as you might have gathered from news reports, we don’t prepare that deeply for it compared to, say, Scotland. Unlike places like the Nordic countries, the UK is in a supposed temperate area with regular weather changes and which is why it’s invariably a topic we British tend to start conversations with and famed for discussing. For the record, the snow here has a tendency to thaw in a couple days and doesn’t hang around. It’s also part of my global warming hobbyhorse, too, as it is an influence that gives extremes of weather rather than something akin to the 1961 film ‘The Day The Earth Caught Fire’ where its hot all over. If we had that, then we’d really be in trouble. It’s more about rapid weather change and the warmer weather shoving the air about.

Anyway, this editorial isn’t so much about the global warming but what the choice of films you might want to watch to match the snowy conditions. So how does that relate to the last paragraph and how can I suddenly veer off on a lateral tangent. Read on and see. Never let it be said that I’ve forgotten my sense of humour and you might want something to cheer yourself up about now but with a dose of thoughtfulness. If you test the theory out below as well, it might also give you pause for thought.

So picture the evening. You’ve struggled home and it’s still snowing and cold outside so what do you do? Watch a film on DVD set in the summer or something that gets you in the feel and mood of the snowy weather? An equivalent of putting ice in your drink or having a dollop of ice cream to maintain the cold than having something warm inside you although by the time it reaches your stomach its all the same temperature. How many of you would watch the first two ‘Predator’ films in the winter instead of when it’s really hot other than to spite me?

I doubt if you would watch ‘White Christmas’ after Yuletide although you might watch ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ if you own a copy. You might even watch ‘Where Eagles Dare’, simply cos it’s got lots of snow in it. With Science Fiction, though, we got have a smaller selection of films with a snow motif associated with them. Many of them are actually very good although I doubt if you would go for oddly extreme endings although some have a feel-good factor at the end.

I don’t really want to turn these editorials into lists but this is more to do with reading clarity this time. Without using Google and purely from memory, here’s some films across our genres that heavily rely on snow than merely as a backdrop:-

The Abominable Snowman (1957)
Alien Vs Predator (2004)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
The Dead Zone (1983)
Gremlins (1984)
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (2005)
The Lord Of The Rings (2001)
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Superman (1978)
The Thing (1982)
The Thing From Another World (1951)
30 Days Of Night (2007)

If you’d rather have television episodes, on some level that can be easier, although most American shows have a Yuletide episode rather than one specifically with snow in it. Interestingly, ‘The X-Files’ although it had its fair share of snow-orientated episodes with ‘Ice’; ‘Darkness Falls’; ‘End Game’ and ‘Tunguska’ and only one Yuletide ghosty feel-good with ‘Christmas Carol’. None of the off-planet space series ever had them but that’s pretty obvious.

I’m just picking our examples from memory. Hopefully, you have some choices of your own cos I make no claims to being comprehensive but would you watch any of those above knowing that it’s snowing outside? I’m not going to do all the work for you but it should be possible to sub-divide these into those with good endings and those that might send you to bed with a shiver. Assuming that you know the plots of the films, would you intentionally choose the latter to watch again?

It probably falls under the same category as to whether you would eating the aforementioned ice cream in such weather. No doubt there can be a similar comparison to airlines not showing air crash films although that’s understandable as it would spook the passengers. I doubt if earthquake movies would be popular in such hot spots as Haiti right now even if they were presented as encouragement to face off adversity or had the time or cinema screens to watch them. Would the same thing apply to first contact with alien species in Science Fiction films, especially if they were friendly? Would it set the wrong image in your head? The real question is would you be spooked watching, for instance, ‘The Thing’ with the snow outside? Would you jump if someone knocked on the front door at crucial moments or check under the table for anything crawling out?

So, why should snow freak you out and seek a secure film? Wouldn’t you be afraid of becoming prey to the Predators in the balmy summer more if you’re that timid?

If you live in climates that adjust to snowfall and are known for it, you’re likely to have adapted to the weather already. As we’re read across the world, I’m going to assume that a lot of what I’m going to say will give something you recognise. If you live somewhere that has several months of snow, look in reverse as to what happens when the snow goes away or even try a hot weather genre film. There’s a bigger selection of those after all.

An explanation now rather than waiting a month and then you can confirm how right I am. Snow changes how we perceive the landscape. Most of the time we’re so used to the background that we don’t really look at it. With a snowfall, hedges surrounding fields get a new definition and your sense of perspective picks out scenery detail differently. Things change rapidly over night and you have to adapt to it quickly. Your senses are assaulted by everything beyond a drop in temperature. When it freezes over night, you also have to walk gingerly the next morning if you fear you’d slip.

Even if you wear all the right gear, you’d think twice if you started to skid on the ice and watch where you walk, let alone choosing routes few would use. Mind you, there are people out there who seemingly have no fear of such things let alone listen to reason when it comes to walking on river or pond ice simply because it’s there. Children, especially, don’t show much fear. Experience and knowledge may eventually change that although hopefully, not with too many foolishly dropping through the ice and drowning – an experience not likely to be repeated by those concerned let alone first-hand knowledge.

The main rationale here is how snow changes our perceptions and if anything enhances it simply because it’s a new environment replacing your home territory. It puts your entire body in a danger mode that too much sunlight would never give you. In such an alert state, a snow-laden danger film is therefore more likely to spook you. Give it a try and see how you feel. You’ll learn more about yourself than you think and pay more attention to the detail and how it changes around you afterwards.

Thank you, take care, good night and don’t forget to check under your table.

Geoff Willmetts
editor: SFCrowsnest.co.uk

Odd fact and a lesson in paying attention when watching TV: I was watching The X-Files second season episode ‘Paper Clip’ this month and former Nazi Victor Klemper tells the Well-Manicured Man (actor John Neville) that he gave Mulder and Scully his name. However, he only tells them where to go, the Strughold Mining Facility. Does that mean the Well-Manicured Man’s surname is actually Strughold? A little scurrying around on the Net and link http://x-files.wikia.com/wiki/Well-Manicured_Man gives his name as Conrad Strughold yet the name was given earlier. Doesn’t it feel nice to tie up loose ends by paying attention to the script first and the Net second. Thing is, though, if Mulder and Scully knew the Well-Manicured Man’s name, why didn’t they call him by it?

A Zen thought: Snow is not white.

For those missing the pointer links at the bottom of the editorial to where to find guidelines for contributions and such, the nature of how material is logged into the website doesn’t like repetition and has been removing it beyond our control. No doubt me leaving this paragraph here for a few months will see it happen here as well. Guideline links are throughout the website and I still look at contributions, look for reviewers and other such material so don’t be afraid to send into the usual email contact address. I also give good useful advice.

Another real Zen thought but this time for potential writers: If you can express an opinion independently of others and aren’t likely to bend to the masses then you might show potential as a writer.