The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection) | 
 enlarge | Director: Albert Lamorisse
Actor: Red Balloon
Studio: Janus Films
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.48
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Avg. Customer Rating:  121 reviews
Sales Rank: 957
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 34
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: CC1746DDVD
UPC: 715515028820
EAN: 0715515028820
ASIN: B0012Z361M
Theatrical Release Date: March 11, 1957
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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.System Requirements:LENGTH: 34 minutes Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 715515028820 Manufacturer No: CC1746DDVD
Amazon.com
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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| Customer Reviews: Read 116 more reviews...
 AT LAST ON DVD ! October 2, 2008
The wonderful folks at Criterion have at last released Albert Lamorisse's beautiful, perfect film THE RED BALLOON on DVD! For years, this family classic has only been available in inferior VHS and less than legal DVD versions. None look as gorgeous or have been treated with such care as this Criterion release. The print has been scrubbed and polished until the Paris of 1956 is nothing short of magical. The Director's son Pascal and his best friend, a simple yet elegant red balloon, come to life as never before. At 34 minutes, it's exactly the length needed to tell the story, and, as always, perfect for children as a fable of love and devotion and triumph (don't we all just want to fly away?).
As to the transfer to DVD: full frame, digital, fabulous. Subtitles are included for the spare dialogue, and a trailer. No commentary track, although it would have been nice to hear on separate audio some history on the film and its production (how difficult was it to film hundreds, perhaps thousands of balloons, moving through Paris to help Pascal? My hat is off to editor Pierre Gillette!)
Thank you to Criterion and Janus Films for at last giving THE RED BALLOON the DVD release it deserves. As far as I'm concerned, this is the DVD of the year!
The Red Balloon September 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One of the all time great films. Although it was made over fifty years ago, it stands up just as well today. Equally enjoyable for children and adults. Excellent cinematography. Charming.
DVD better than VHS September 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I watched this movie as a child and found it on video for our first daughter. We purchased the DVD for our second daughter. The DVD is far superior in quality to the VHS and even has English subtitles when French is spoken (which is rarely as this is a very visual film). My second daughter who is 3 cries at the sad parts and wants to go balloon shopping when the film is over.
It is a very sweet film. However I still get distressed when all the balloons that children are holding, zap out of their little hands and fly away to rescue the star character. It bothers my "joe six pack" husband too. Hee Hee... oh well.
Marvellous film September 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Red Balloon is a fabulous short film (35 mins) which can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. It is a French film, but this is irrevelent as the dialogue in the film is minimal and everything spoken is implied anyway. For a film made in the 1950's the simple balloon effects are very clever, and the camerawork in places leaves the image from the screen imprinted on your brain, its so good!
I wish I had seen this as a kid because I am sure it would have made a lasting impact on me. However even watching it 40 cynical years later I found it quite moving in places.
classically simple and beautiful August 3, 2008
Simple premise, beautiful camerawork. The kind of story that contains a universe within itself. This film shares space on my mental shelf with "Le Petit Prince" for the purity of vision and innocence it embodies.
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