The Snowman - Special Edition (Region 2)

I see that there is a Special Edition of Raymond Briggs' The Snowman
out on Region 2 DVD. Apparently this has been 'forced' into a 16:9
aspect ration by cropping off the top and bottom of the picture!

Can anyone confirm that this travesty is true?

If so then one question ............. why??? <shakes head sadly>

Is it also true that the Raymond Briggs introduction has been replaced
by the David Bowie intro?



Phil