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$ 10.55
You Save: CDN$ 6.44 (38%)
New (15) Used (3) from CDN$ 10.55
Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 1594
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: CC1746DDVD
UPC: 715515028820
EAN: 0715515028820
ASIN: B0012Z361M
Theatrical Release Date: March 11, 1957
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW - Shipped within 24 hrs via Airmail from the USA - Average 5 to 10 workdays delivery time. Excellent customer service. NEUF - Envoy? par avion des USA sous 24 hrs - Livraison en moyenne de 5 a 10 jours ouvres. Service clientele en francais.
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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 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 41 more reviews...
 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.
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.
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!
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. 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.
The Best childrens movie ever made March 25, 2004
Everett (Rio Rancho, NM USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I saw this when I was first in kindergarten. I cried when the evil gang of boys popped the poor red balloon at the end. Ever since then I had been wanting so badly to see it again, and finally I came across it on Amazon, and had to have it. I'm 13 now, but even though it may seem strange, the red balloon still makes me laugh as though I were still 5. No kid should grow up without watching the Red Balloon. It helps stimulate the imagination, as well as show you how bad things are in the world, when you have something, and others will stop at nothing to get it.
When underpriveledged Pascal finds a large red balloon tied to a lamp post one early morning, he decides, why not take it with him to school. Things get complicated though. It seems as though the world around him is against balloons. He's not allowed to board the bus to school with it, the teacher won't allow it in the classroom, and his Mother bcomes mad at him for bringing it home. She soon throws it out the window, scolding him afterwords. But Pascal see's something out his bedroom window. It's the balloon! After bring it back in, he doesn't bother trying to figure out how it's alive, he's glad to have a friend finally, no matter who, or what it is. Maybe things won't be so bad after all. Or will they be?
Producer, and writer Albert Lammorise should've gotten a nomination for best film of the year in 1956. It's an instant five stars. After watching the film, I felt a void like all kids might for the red balloon after he got popped. But it turns out, there is a sequel, which one a film festival award called the revenge of the red balloon. It gives you satisfaction for the balloon is back, and he goes around making sure that none of the boys (now men) that popped him so long ago, never see another day of their lives. It was just as hilarious as the first, maybe even funnier, but not so much for kids. The red balloon gets a whopping 5 stars for outstanding everything. Who needs wors in a movie like this.
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