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The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)
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Editorial Reviews:
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Newly restored and available for the first time on DVD, Albert Lamorisse s exquisite The Red Balloon remains one of the most beloved children s films of all time. In this deceptively simple, nearly wordless tale, a young boy discovers a stray balloon, which seems to have a mind of its own, on the streets of Paris. The two become inseparable, yet the world s harsh realities finally interfere. With its glorious palette and allegorical purity, the Academy Award winning The Red Balloon has enchanted movie lovers, young and old, for generations.
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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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The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)
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User Comments About The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)
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The Red Balloon Rises Again~
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This new DVD release looks even better than that old "big" screen movie version. The VHS version satisfied for a while, but the DVD is superior, just as one would expect it to be. Must be seen to be believed. I saw this in a theater way back in the 50's and liked it then. The final scene is truly remarkable considering it was done long before computer generated imaging. If you're a kid, or have one, it's a must for your collection.
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Five Star Film...Four Star DVD!
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Two other reviewers rated this marvelous product as a "zero star DVD" but both reviews were written before 2005 while the product now being sold by Amazon was released in 2008. My copy, purchased in November 2008, is crystal clear and flawless in both form and color, and while the background music certainly is not hi-fi, it is devoid of pops and hisses and other annoying artifacts. I cannot see how anyone could be disappointed in it.The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)
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beautiful and exciting...seriously
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I won't go into too much detail about what happens in the film because it's so short, but I will say that I found it very enjoyable and I will watch it again sometime to get a better look at the effects used in giving the balloon personality, as well as the final scene. basic, basic plot: Boy meets balloon. I had put off seeing this because it sounded hilariously boring. It's really unforgettable and even a bit shocking - quite refreshing for someone who has grown inured to CGI and other cinematic trickery. I wound up watching it the other day late at night because it was short and I wouldn't stay up.and was definitely wide awake afterwards.
(In fact, I believe that the old tv show "The Critic" had this movie as part of some kind of joke, insisting that it was the eponymous critic's favorite movie to exemplify his pomposity). DVD print: I thought it was clear and the colors came across well, but the person watching it with me said the faces were a bit muddy and some of the scenery too dark. Boy and balloon hang out around Paris, despite others' efforts to separate them. In any event, it's lovely and you won't be angry because it's a Janus/Criterion film. I'd say that the last scene, which is both a surprise and visually stunning, has been aped by the Bravia advertisements and innumerable directors. Not sure about the scenery claim, however, as I thought the streets of Paris were meant to look darker in contrast to the gloriously red and oddly oversized red balloon.
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Check out Criterion's 'Red Balloon/White Mane' DVD
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In April, 2008 Criterion released three DVDs each with one award winning children's shorts for the first time from beautifully restored prints. This coupled DVD would be a wonderful present for any little child (young or old). I wish I had. Again, from the total run time of just 74 minutes, nothing extra will be added outside of (one would hope) the brief printed liner notes for both found in the single DVD version, plus one theatrical trailer celebrating the 50 year restoration for both shorts. .
You also might want to look into that one. In November 2008, Criterion's bare bones DVD of Albert Lamorisse's award winning 'The Red Balloon' (1956) will be getting a new release, but this time 'The Red Balloon' will be paired with Albert Lamorisse's award winning 'White Mane' (1953). The third short not in this new release, but available separately, is William Mason's 'Paddle to the Sea' (1966). This 28 minute children's short won Best Documentary Film at the International Children's Film Festival in 1968. I hope you catch this deal.
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I first saw this wonderful movie on TCM several years ago. I am so happy to own it. How poignant, how beautiful. Just having the movie on DVD, well so what. Interesting that no one mentions the incredible musical score, especially when the small boy, holding on to the balloons, flies over the rooftops. Watched it over and over, I could not get enough of it.
I just bought the DVD on Amazon. I taped it along with "Pinnochio" the fabulous Disney movie. And how wonderful in this miserable time we are going through here in America, we have this wonderful tale. Of joy and redemption. I have read the negative comments about the tranfer to DVD, I will take my chances.
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