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 - A delightful classic for any ageI've never tired of this charming short film. The cinematography is still amazing all these years later. Rating: - A Sentimental and Whimsical ClassicInterestingly, this film preceded "Old Yeller" by one year. As well as being enduring childhood classics, those two tales have certain themes in common, but whereas "Old Yeller" deals with a living creature, this tale breathes life into a normally inanimate object. My first encounter with "Le Ballon Rouge" was when it was shown to my kindergarten class in the mid-70s. I had no idea until years later that by that time, it was nearly 20 years old. Its appeal, nonetheless, is timeless. Using sparse dialogue, and Parisian locales, Director Albert Lamorisse presents the tale of a small boy (his son,Pascal)who finds a magical red balloon tied to a lamp post, and takes it home with him. Largely gray Paris give the redness of the balloon an interesting and sharp onscreen contrast. Like a faithful dog, the the air-filled sphere with a string follows him everywhere, often on its own, and with an occasional exception, waits for him outside places where it is not allowed to enter. It obeys its master's commands, attracts attention in public, and has a brief flirtation with a blue balloon of a similar caliber, owned by a pretty little girl (the director's daughter, Sabine). But alas, the adventures of boy and balloon are abreviated due to a rowdy group of boys.But it is as though the balloon knew its time was short somehow, as if it knew it was meant to give its owner delight only for a little while and did so to the fullest. There would be other delightful times and other magical balloons, but always one special one that would be remembered fondly. The little boy's heartbreak is happily short-lived in this sweet tale of friendship, loss, and renewal, and viewers may be left moved and satisfied, perhaps with a few sentimental tears. Rating: - AT LAST ON DVD !The wonderful folks at Criterion have at last released Albert Lamorisse's beautiful, perfect film THE RED BALLOON on DVD! For years, this family classic has only been available in inferior VHS and less than legal DVD versions. None look as gorgeous or have been treated with such care as this Criterion release. The print has been scrubbed and polished until the Paris of 1956 is nothing short of magical. The Director's son Pascal and his best friend, a simple yet elegant red balloon, come to life as never before. At 34 minutes, it's exactly the length needed to tell the story, and, as always, perfect for children as a fable of love and devotion and triumph (don't we all just want to fly away?). As to the transfer to DVD: full frame, digital, fabulous. Subtitles are included for the spare dialogue, and a trailer. No commentary track, although it would have been nice to hear on separate audio some history on the film and its production (how difficult was it to film hundreds, perhaps thousands of balloons, moving through Paris to help Pascal? My hat is off to editor Pierre Gillette!) Thank you to Criterion and Janus Films for at last giving THE RED BALLOON the DVD release it deserves. As far as I'm concerned, this is the DVD of the year! Rating: - The Red BalloonOne of the all time great films. Although it was made over fifty years ago, it stands up just as well today. Equally enjoyable for children and adults. Excellent cinematography. Charming. Rating: - DVD better than VHSI watched this movie as a child and found it on video for our first daughter. We purchased the DVD for our second daughter. The DVD is far superior in quality to the VHS and even has English subtitles when French is spoken (which is rarely as this is a very visual film). My second daughter who is 3 cries at the sad parts and wants to go balloon shopping when the film is over. It is a very sweet film. However I still get distressed when all the balloons that children are holding, zap out of their little hands and fly away to rescue the star character. It bothers my "joe six pack" husband too. Hee Hee... oh well.
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