The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)

Product Description:
Studio: Image EntertainmentRelease Date: 04/29/2008

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

Rating: - The Red Balloon Rises Again~
I saw this in a theater way back in the50's and liked it then. 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. The final scene is truly remarkable considering it was done long before computer generated imaging. Must be seen to be believed. If you're a kid, or have one, it's a must for your collection!
Rating: - Five Star Film...Four Star DVD!
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 ... Read More
Rating: - beautiful and exciting...seriously
basic, basic plot: Boy meets balloon. Boy and balloon hang out around Paris, despite others' efforts to separate them.

I had put off seeing this because it sounded hilariously boring. (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.) 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 ... Read More
Rating: - Check out Criterion's 'Red Balloon/White Mane' DVD
In April, 2008 Criterion released three DVDs each with one award winning children's shorts for the first time from beautifully restored prints.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).

This coupled DVD would be a wonderful present for any little child (young or old).

Again, ... Read More
Rating: - Pure Enchantment!
I first saw this wonderful movie on TCM several years ago.I taped it along with "Pinnochio" the fabulous Disney movie.Watched it over and over, I could not get enough of it.How poignant, how beautiful.Interesting that no one mentions the incredible musical score, especially when the small boy, holding on to the balloons, flies over the rooftops.And how wonderful in this miserable time we are going through here in America, we have this wonderful tale.Of joy and redemption.I just bought the ... Read More