| The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 128 reviews)
Sales Rank: 855
Category: DVD
Actor: Red Balloon
Director: Albert Lamorisse
Publisher: Janus Films
Studio: Janus Films
Brand: Image Entertainment
Label: Janus Films
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 34 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
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
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 1956
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.
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 123 more reviews...
 beautiful and exciting...seriously November 3, 2008
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 awake afterwards. 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. 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. It's really unforgettable and even a bit shocking - quite refreshing for someone who has grown inured to CGI and other cinematic trickery.
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. 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. In any event, it's lovely and you won't be angry because it's a Janus/Criterion film.
Check out Criterion's 'Red Balloon/White Mane' DVD November 1, 2008
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, 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.
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. You also might want to look into that one.
I hope you catch this deal. I wish I had.
Pure Enchantment! October 25, 2008
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 DVD on Amazon. I have read the negative comments about the tranfer to DVD, I will take my chances. Just having the movie on DVD, well so what! I am so happy to own it!
The Red Balloon October 20, 2008
This was one of my favorite movies from my childhood -- actually, I was in Junior High Language Arts when I saw it. Now that I am a teacher, I can't wait to share it with my students!! I still get that same wonderful feeling at the end!!
The Red Ballon October 18, 2008
Wonderful, wonderful ageless story. All children will relate to the lonely boy, whose friend is the "red ballon."
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