The Red Balloon [VHS]
by Albert Lamorisse
![The Red Balloon [VHS]](/images/The-Red-Balloon-VHS-6303968651-L.jpg)
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Product details
Actor: Georges Sellier, Pascal Lamorisse, Paul Perey, René Marion, Vladimir Popov (II)Director: Albert Lamorisse
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Unknown); French (Original Language)
Format: Color, NTSC
Running Time: 34 minutes
Release Date: 1996-02-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Homevision
Studio: Homevision
VHS Movie Reviews of The Red Balloon [VHS]
Movie Review: Although the star must now be over sixty, this film still holds young children (and old adults) amazed, repeatedly
Summary: 5 Stars
This film was made in 1956 by a father and son team in Paris, receiving several awards then, and still holds us amazed.
I have seen this film countless times, thirty years ago on a clackety old 16mm print in an urban day care, endlessly over and over, and now with preschoolers who still never tire of seeing it again. And again.
Nor do I.
Even now, I cannot for the life of me figure out all of the tricks used to manipulate the balloon so convincingly, with so much character and personality, with greater humor and real emotion and visible thought than most actors nowadays (who shall here remain nameless).
I can only see the controlling fishline at the death of the balloon (okay, no spoiler here!), but otherwise, and earlier, carefully following its trajectory, there is no way in the pre-digital age this balloon can do all of those things, passing through windows and following complex paths, and at great heights entering high rise windows.
OK?
Believe me. I have watched it carefully perhaps more than anyone alive, with the possible exception of Pascal LaMorisse himself, who must now be over sixty years old, and is a far finer actor here than any since as well.
And I never tire of it.
Nor do my students.
Skip anything made in the past half century, anything by Disney or Pixar or the rest, even Avatar.
Get this one instead and prepare to see it several times with your children.
Along with several other subtexts we certainly find here the Life of Christ, complete with the mission, the preaching of love, the ejection from the temple, the passion, death and resurrection.
Watch and then tell me I'm wrong. The scene of the small boy sitting desolate upon the ground with the dead balloon in his arms is pure Pieta, and then the Resurrection and the Ascension into Heaven . . .
again, no spoilers here.
But I am ready to be convinced the director sent up a dummy and did not really sacrifice his own son soaring over the rooftops of Paris, like that guy claimed he did recently in Fort Collins Colorado with a home-made weather balloon while his similarly six year old son really hid in the attic.
That was all a publicity stunt.
This is eternal art.
And children love it. The bad boys at the end; the little girl with the blue balloon, the struggle with authority, everything is amazing, and as a child sees it.
You will believe they studied Piaget.
You will believe a boy can fly.
Above all you will love forever this 36 minute film, and play it again until even your children cry, Enough!
My students have never come to that point, but it is possible.
I guess.
I find the reproduction here excellent, and clearer than any copy I have ever seen, and the soundtrack clean as well. It looks as crisp as any DVD I have; this is not burned off a bad 16mm copy as alleged elsewhere. This must be from a master tape.
But still as hard as I try I cannot see the controlling strings, except at the final descent (NO SPOILER HERE!).
Kids love this film.
I do too.
And so will you.
Also see please The White Dove (aka Holubice) (1960) with a generally similar hidden subtext, although rather too strong for children.
Movie Review: Red Balloon
Summary: 5 Stars
Loved this short film when I saw it many years ago so was ecstatic when I was able to purchase it. Great short film.Movie Review: 42 Years Ago
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this movie for the first time over 42 years ago, in 1967. I cried then. When I saw it again, yesterday, I cried again. It makes you happy; it makes you sad, and then it makes you happy again. An absolutely beautiful movie. It allows us to look into the mirror and ask, "Are YOU the kid with the balloon, or are YOU one of the OTHER kids?" For 34 minutes, you're on an emotional roller coaster. Hang on. It's worth the ride. The DVD was perfect. Outstanding color. Looks like it was made yesterday. No scratches, and no problem with sound. Thanks, Amazon, for the trip back into yesteryear !!! There is some speaking in French (I think) with written English translation, but it doesn't detract from the movie. This movie doesn't need a single word to be said !!Movie Review: Red Balloon DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
I had not seen the film since I was a child and was delighted with the opportunity to see it again.
Great little story.
Movie Review: Excellent Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this movie as a child, and I still love it. Beautifully filmed in Paris during the 1950's, it's a masterpiece of art for all ages.
Summary of The Red Balloon [VHS]
One of the most famous short films ever made, The Red Balloon is a childhood fantasy with appeal for viewers of every age. It is the story of Pascal, a lonely French boy who befriends a wondrous red balloon which follows him everywhere--to school and church--and even hovers outside his window when he is in his room. Filmed entirely in the picturesque back streets and narrow alleys of Old Montmartre, the film has been acclaimed through the world as an immortal masterpiece of lyrical poetry. The Red Balloon is both a beguiling fantasy and a touching allegory on the magic powers of love and friendship.The late French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse made this classic, 1956 short work about a lonely little Parisian boy (Pascal Lamorisse) befriended by a large red balloon, which seems to have a will of its own. As with his preceding short, 1952's White Mane, Lamorisse took home a grand prize from the Cannes Film Festival for The Red Balloon, and the latter film also won an Academy Award. There have been some stimulating pieces of film criticism (some pro, some con) written about the aesthetics of this little movie over the years, but there's no question it makes for a touching, allegorical piece always certain to prompt conversations among viewers of any age. --Tom Keogh
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