The Snow Spider Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: The Snow Spider
| Movie | The Snow Spider |
| Release Year | 1988 |
| Director | Pennant Roberts |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Runtime | 95 minutes (1h 35m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Snow Spider (1988) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 9.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Snow Spider are led by Siân Phillips . The supporting cast, including Sharon Morgan and Robert Blythe , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Snow Spider stands out as a strong entry in the Fantasy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Fantasy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Snow Spider has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Fantasy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Snow Spider
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1988, The Snow Spider is a Fantasy film directed by Pennant Roberts. The narrative transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Siân Phillips as Nain Griffiths.
Ending Explained: The Snow Spider
The Snow Spider Ending Explained: On his ninth birthday, young Gwyn (Osian Roberts), who lives on a remote hill farm in Wales, receives five strange gifts from his grandmother (Siân Phillips): a piece of seaweed, a yellow scarf, a tin whistle, a metal brooch and a small broken horse. Directed by Pennant Roberts, this 1988 fantasy film stars Siân Phillips (Nain Griffiths), alongside Sharon Morgan as Gynis Griffiths, Robert Blythe as Ivor Griffiths, Osian Roberts as Gwyn Griffiths. With a 9.5/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of The Snow Spider?
On his ninth birthday, young Gwyn (Osian Roberts), who lives on a remote hill farm in Wales, receives five strange gifts from his grandmother (Siân Phillips): a piece of seaweed, a yellow scarf, a tin whistle, a metal brooch and a small broken horse. Gwyn offers the brooch to the wind and receives back a tiny silvery spider - Arianwen, the snow spider - confirming that, as his grandmother had already guessed, he has inherited magical powers from his Celtic ancestor Gwydyon, a powerful magician whose exploits are described in the fourth book ("Math Son of Mathonwy") of the Mabinogion. With the help of the snow spider, Gwyn embarks on adventures involving other worlds of snow and silver, as he attempts to solve the five-year-old mystery of his sister Beth's disappearance in a snow storm.
Pennant Roberts's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Siân Phillips (Nain Griffiths)'s journey. Gwyn offers the brooch to the wind and receives back a tiny silvery spider - Arianwen, the snow spider - confirming that, as his grandmother had already guessed, he has inherited magical powers from his Celtic ancestor Gwydyon, a powerful magician whose exploits are described in the fourth book ("Math Son of Mathonwy") of the Mabinogion.
How Does Siân Phillips (Nain Griffiths)'s Story End?
- Siân Phillips: Siân Phillips's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Pennant Roberts delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 35m runtime.
- Sharon Morgan (Gynis Griffiths): Sharon Morgan's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Robert Blythe (Ivor Griffiths): Robert Blythe's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Snow Spider Mean?
The Snow Spider concludes with Pennant Roberts reinforcing the fantasy themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Siân Phillips leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.
The Snow Spider Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Snow Spider Based on a True Story?
No, The Snow Spider is a work of fiction. While the fantasy film directed by Pennant Roberts and starring Siân Phillips may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Snow Spider?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Fantasy cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
The Snow Spider Parents Guide & Age Rating
1988 AdvisoryWondering about The Snow Spider age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Snow Spider (1988) is 95 minutes (1h 35m). Directed by Pennant Roberts, the film runs for 95 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 9.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Snow Spider is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1988 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Snow Spider worth watching?
The Snow Spider is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 9.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Snow Spider parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Snow Spider identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Snow Spider (1988)?
The runtime of The Snow Spider (1988) is 95 minutes (approximately 1h 35m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
