The Red Balloon (1956) Reviews

The Red Balloon (1956)
Member Rating:  
Most of French director Albert Lamorisse's films celebrate the miracle of flight, but few were as landmark as his 1956 short subject The Red Balloon. The story, told with a minimum of dialogue, concerns a little boy (played by the director's son Pascal) who comes across a helium-filled balloon. As he plays with his new acquisition, the boy discovers that the balloon seemingly has a mind of its own. The little red orb follows its new "master" all through the streets of Paris, then dogs the boy's trail into the schoolroom, which drives the teacher to comic distraction. Towards the end, it seems as though boy and balloon will be parted forever....but director Lamorisse has a delightful surprise in store for us. In an unusual move, The Red Balloon in its American TV premiere was introduced by Ronald Reagan as an episode of the CBS anthology G.E. Theater on April 2, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Director(s):
Albert Lamorisse
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(14 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Stacy C.

I showed this movie to my elementary (PK-4th grade) French students, and they loved it! Although we watched it as part of an interlude before the holidays, I think it could easily be worked into a unit about emotions or colors. Each time I view this film, I notice something else that I missed previously, and the special effects are very impressive for the era in which it was filmed.

Yes   |   No


Ann C.

What a magical film! Although I never saw it as a child, I'm happy to have caught up with it at last. Let's see... Pascal Lamorisse, the star, would probably be in his 50s by now. Wonder what happened to him after "The Red Balloon." In it, he helps us see Paris through his little boy's eyes. This movie makes me want to go back to the City of Light as soon as possible! A good follow-up to "Paris, Je T'Aime."

Yes   |   No


Mario C.

Such a well-made, simple film! The Parisian backdrops alone are reason enough to watch this, the story is a bonus!! A small gem, a little masterpiece! Wonder why you don't point out on the 'Awards' section that this actually won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1956?? That was a HUGE accomplishment!!

Yes   |   No


Adrian A.

An absolute classic! Thank you Albert Lamorisse.

Yes   |   No


Michael S.

This is a 5 star movie... I have watched it several times over my life time and I think it says so much without saying anthing out loud in Engleish. If you have never seen it, garher the kids and enjoy it a time or two.... well work the time.

Yes   |   No


Christine W.

I loved this movie. There was a simplicity and magic about it that just captivated you. Although I did not grow up in Europe it still made me very nostalgic for that era. I would have been the same age as the leading character when the movie was made. I thought my 7yr old granddaughter would like it, but she said there were too many mean people in it and didn't want to see it through to the end. So this movie may not be for the Disney generation.

Yes   |   No


Deborah C.

What a wonderful way to spend a half hour...watching a lovely short in Paris. The cinematography is great, the story is wonderful. I loved it when I first saw it years ago, and I loved it again.

Yes   |   No


Claude B.

The Red Balloon is a classic movie and we were very happy to see it re mastered to DVD. When the film version was first available we would borrow it from the local library and view it at home on a 16mmBell & Howell projector. It was the only movie we ever showed at home where the kids insisted on seeing it at least twice before we had to return the film. We still wonder how he made the film. This is a delightful movie that kids and adults will thorougly enjoy.

Yes   |   No


Megan B.

Like a few others - I watched this in the 70s. I remember the big projector. Other than nostalgia, the thing that is great about this movie is that there is very little dialogue and the story is well-understood no matter what language you speak. I enjoyed sharing this movie with my 5 year old. It is likely she will never see this film. She enjoyed it and I enjoyed seeing it again.

Yes   |   No


Phil S.

I don't know why, but he had to watch this in school at least once a year. If you've read the synopsis here then you know what happens and you can get on with your life.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
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    Stacy C.

    I showed this movie to my elementary (PK-4th grade) French students, and they loved it! Although we watched it as part of an interlude before the holidays, I think it could easily be worked into a unit about emotions or colors. Each time I view this film, I notice something else that I missed previously, and the special effects are very impressive for the era in which it was filmed.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Ann C.

    What a magical film! Although I never saw it as a child, I'm happy to have caught up with it at last. Let's see... Pascal Lamorisse, the star, would probably be in his 50s by now. Wonder what happened to him after "The Red Balloon." In it, he helps us see Paris through his little boy's eyes. This movie makes me want to go back to the City of Light as soon as possible! A good follow-up to "Paris, Je T'Aime."

    Yes   |   No

     
    Mario C.

    Such a well-made, simple film! The Parisian backdrops alone are reason enough to watch this, the story is a bonus!! A small gem, a little masterpiece! Wonder why you don't point out on the 'Awards' section that this actually won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1956?? That was a HUGE accomplishment!!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 14 Reviews
       

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