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Rating:  - Totally Enchanting! *****
One of the most vivid and wonderful memories of my childhood, I first went to see The Red Balloon (1956) at the cinema as a ten year old boy in April, 1957. Over fifty years later, this morning, I received this Criterion / Janus DVD from amazon.com and it's worth every penny. Superbly and lovingly restored, obviously from the original negative, there isn't a mark on it anywhere and the image is crystal clear. We fans of The Red Balloon have been waiting for a release like this for years. I'd have said it looks like a new film, but no modern film has Technicolor as lovely as this.
Forget about that terrible quality Korean import DVD that people have had to put up with for so long. This is the version to go for and when you see it, you'll see just how wonderful the film looked originally to those 1950's cinema audiences of long ago. Pascal Lamorisse is totally enchanting. He reminds me of myself as a five or six years old boy and I can identify with him only too well. This is, without the slightest doubt, the best children's film of all time. It is totally beautiful and highly recommended. It is also very touching and may make you cry, no matter how young or old you are. Five Stars! David Rayner in Stoke-on-Trent, England, UK.
Rating: - Up, Up & Away ~ A Beautiful Tale Set In The "City Of Lights"
Synopsis: Young French boy discovers a red balloon on the streets of Paris. When he discovers the balloon is too large to take on the bus he decides to walk to his destination. His new acquisition is soon noticed by a group of bullies who desire the balloon for themselves and a chase ensues. Will the boy get away with his balloon intact? What eventually happens is both bittersweet and unexpected. It's truly the stuff from which delightful day dreams are made.
Critique: For me, the charming little '56 French film `The Red Balloon' carries with it fond memories of grammar school. Whenever it was too rainy outside for recess the student body would be gathered into the cafeteria to watch a short film or a couple of cartoons. Without question the film most requested by the young audience was `The Red Balloon.'
It had been at least forty years since my last viewing of this childhood classic. I'm happy to say that it still possesses all the charm and childhood wonder as it had upon its initial release fifty years ago. Looking at the streets of Paris as they were in the mid-fifties is a delight all its own serving as a mini-time capsule of a more innocent, naïve time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
`The Red Balloon' is waiting to enchant a whole new generation of viewers! This is definitely a film that belongs in every child's DVD collection.
Rating: - A Story About Life
I was one of the fortunate children in the 50's to enjoy first seeing this masterpiece on a Sunday afternoon TV show called Kukla, Fran & Ollie. While captivated and engrossed immediately in the film I thought the ending way too harsh and unnecessary. But then look at Dumbo or Bambi. It seems the movies that make the most sharp and lasting impressions are ones that involve loss. Only now in my 50's can I see the director was putting an overview of life on film - it always involves moments of intense passion, periods of devotion, and inevitably loss. I can't adequately describe the film in any other meaningful way other than to strongly encourage you to watch it, and share it with someone.
Rating: - Sweet! Cute!! Absolutely Adorable!!!
As I write this on 16-Apr-2008, this DVD has not yet been released, so I obviously am not reviewing the actual DVD itself. However, I just saw "The Red Balloon" on our local cable system (that's why I'm on this page!). What MEMORIES that film brings back! And what an ADORABLE story! As you watch it, DO look for one of THE most memorable scenes in the film, early on, when the Boy (about six years old) leaves school to find the Balloon waiting for him. It's raining, so the Boy dashes from passerby to passerby, each of whom graciously shelters his Balloon beneath their umbrellas! I swear, that has GOT to be one of THE Cutest, THE Sweetest, and THE Most Adorable scene in any short film, EVER! :)
Rating: - awesome film
The only complaint I have is this film should have been released sooner. A cinematic treasure that is as timeless as love and friendship. I saw this film for the first time back in early elementary school, and it stayed with me to this day. One of the few films worth owning.
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