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The Red Balloon | 
| Director: Albert Lamorisse
Actors: Pascal Lamorisse, Georges Sellier, Michel Pezin, Wladimir Popof, Paul Perey
Studio: Criterion
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 16.99
Buy New: CDN$ 11.98
You Save: CDN$ 5.01 (29%)
New (13) Used (1) from CDN$ 11.98
Rating:  47 reviews
Sales Rank: 3272
Format: Dolby, Full Screen, Ntsc, Subtitled
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: IMEDCC1746D
UPC: 715515028820
EAN: 0715515028820
ASIN: B0012Z361M
Theatrical Release Date: 1956
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships from the USA. ALL ITEMS ARE BRAND NEW! Delivery takes from 10-14 Working Days.
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| Editorial Reviews:
From 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 iWhite Mane/i, Lamorisse took home a grand prize from the Cannes Film Festival for iThe Red Balloon,/i 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. i--Tom Keogh/i
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| Customer Reviews: Read 42 more reviews...
 A magical film-making feat that transcends the generations November 7, 2008
Torval Mork (Calgary, Alberta Canada)
As soon as I saw that this film was available on DVD, I knew it would be a touchstone for my young son, who had just turned 2 when I received it in the mail. We spend some father son time each week watching the latest Pixar and Disney movies, but it's hard to escape the reality that they've been engineered through test audiences to ensure that children absolutely must enjoy them. I've been yearning to introduce him to some visual narratives that don't rely on the smoke and mirrors that the digital age has used to drive up the take at the box office at the expense of the stripped down simplicity of a good story. br / br /Enter The Red Balloon. br / br /The opening shot is of a boy (played by the director's son, Pascal Lamorisse), walking on his way to school along a Parisian cobblestone street. He comes to the top of a stairwell, begins walking down the stairs, and up in a tree he spies an oversized, spherical red balloon. He scales the wall with the help of a handrail, and unfastens the string from the branches. Thus begins the journey of a little boy and his balloon. As the boy soon finds out, the balloon has a personality of its own, and an agenda to boot. The tale is timeless - and the construct is dialogue free, reducing the barriers for children of all ages to enjoy. At 2, my son kept saying "boy", "horse", "train", "balloon", and "bus"... along with the many other visual cues that a street scene in 1956 Paris may bring about. br / br /There is plenty of scenery to soak in, but the triumph is in the ending, and is the epitome of many a child's dream. If you like this, I also highly recommend The White Mane, also directed by Albert Lamorisse.
Hidden Gem May 7, 2008
Colette Doherty
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
What a delicious treat to be able to own this movie. It all began in elementary school when my teachers, from each year, would show the class 'The Red Balloon'. It was something I always looked forward to. br /You can imagine my surprise when 25 years later I found it. I look forward to sharing this delightful movie with my kids.
In love with a balloon!! April 9, 2008
William's Mommy (Toronto)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Once in a blue moon, something precious comes along and grabs you! It's hard to believe (for me at any rate) that more than fifty years have passed since I saw this little "flick" with my father in London. He had actually taken me to the local cinema to see something else but this was in that ancient-history-time when you got two films for the price of one. "Le Ballon Rouge" had just won an Oscar so it was being shown to tout le monde. The main feature that day must have really made an impression (not!) because I don't even remember what the title was. However THIS little treasure has stayed in my memory all these years and I can't wait to receive it at the end of the month and show it to my grandchildren. I know that they are going to love it as much as I did, and still do! The story isn't complicated and there is no dialogue. However, whether this is ultimately about imagination or a dream or just plain old-fashioned magic, there is such a sweetness about this tale that it draws you in. I was going to say that the young boy who was the main protagonist was simply perfect in the role. Well, he was - but it's the balloon that is the real protagonist here. br / br /I've talked about seeing it as a child and wanting to share it with my grandchildren. However, this is a must see for ANY age. Do yourself a favour and watch this one. I don't think it will disappoint! br / br /PS (on April 29) Received my copy today and watched it right away. You know what? It's BETTER than I remembered. Just saying!
question ??? May 25, 2004
Laura (Fair Oaks , Ca USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am trying to find this wonderful movie in dvd format. Is it hopeless? If so why?
A classic that needs to be restored.. March 26, 2004
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This timeless little film is probably the best known French film in the United States. This is due to the fact that nearly every elementary school had a copy which they used to babysit the kids when a teacher was absent. This film is such an effective babysitting tool because it completely draws in and engages the viewer no matter their age. Lamorisse truly knew and practiced camera as stilo. I find this film to be as fascinating and colorful now (at age 34) as I did when I was ten years old. This is truly a film masterpiece, just one of many to come out of France in the 50's and 60's. p It is a shame that the DVD is so grainy and the sound so poor, the copy I have is actually a Korean DVD which is no problem as you can turn off the Korean subtitles. It would seem, as some reviewers have suggested, that this DVD was made from a copy of the film stock that was dragged through the streets. It is still watchable but it is a crime that this film masterpiece should be in such a poor state on DVD. Someone has to step up and remaster this film for DVD so that it can continue to reach children in future generations.
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