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The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection) | 
| Director: Albert Lamorisse
Actor: Red Balloon
Studio: Janus Films
Category: DVD
New (45) Used (6) Collectible (1) from $8.93
Rating:  130 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 34 Minutes
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
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Product Description
Studio: Image Entertainment Release 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: Read 125 more reviews...
 The Red Balloon Rises Again~ November 27, 2008
Jesse R. Litten (So Cal desert)
I saw this in a theater way back in the 50'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!
Five Star Film...Four Star DVD! November 24, 2008
Tujunga Bill (Tujunga, CA USA)
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 Criterion Collection)
beautiful and exciting...seriously November 3, 2008
Georgia C. (Boston, MA USA)
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
steveg
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
Janice M. Mahon (Annapolis, MD)
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!
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