The Red Balloon

This page features a wealth of information related to

the red balloon

Product Image

Pricing

Editorial Review

Customer Reviews

The Red Balloon

List Price: $14.95
Lowest Price: $8.00

Description:

One of the most famous short films ever made, The Red Balloon is a childhood fantasy with appeal for viewers of every age. It is the story of Pascal, a lonely French boy who befriends a wondrous red balloon which follows him everywhere--to school and church--and even hovers outside his window when he is in his room. Filmed entirely in the picturesque back streets and narrow alleys of Old Montmartre, the film has been acclaimed through the world as an immortal masterpiece of lyrical poetry. The Red Balloon is both a beguiling fantasy and a touching allegory on the magic powers of love and friendship.

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

Customer Reviews:

Rating:
Date: 2008-07-01
All children must see this film
I remember that I saw this film with my father but I couldn't remember my age.But this film deeply influenced me.So 50 years later I ordered it and watched it like the same excitement when I am a little boy.To all big children I advise this film.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-29
An Automatic Purchase!
As with many other reviewers here, I saw this movie on a klunky, noisy film projector several times in elementary school in the 60s.

When I became a teacher, naturally I haunted book stores and movie sections. When I saw "The Red Balloon" on VHS, it was an Automatic. No pocketbook scrutiny was involved! I went with my heart.

I have used it in classes from kindergarten through 6th grade, encouraging retelling through Beginning-Middle-End format or having Limited English Proficient students generate a word bank. Both ends of the age spectrum have to generate the vocabulary, since the main intelligible words are, "Balloon!" and "Pizza!" (in French). I ask high-level "Why?" questions to encourage high-level writing. The story is straight-forward enough for the students to identify the answers, so they can concentrate on expressing themselves. Not many students have been able to resist the charm and magic of the story. These days, that is high praise, indeed!

I am looking forward to purchasing this DVD. I am very relieved to read that the color and sound qualities are better than some have reported.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-26
A most have movie if your kid is 5-10 years old
Great movie, excellent imagination in the plot. Great for kids and grown-ups. highly recommend.colors look great in the dvd format.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-24
Tops!
No wonder this film ran away with so many prizes! For audiences accustomed to trite story lines and obvious symbolism, Red Balloon remains a prime example of how film art can tell a pure story with enough levels of meaning for the youngest child through the oldest sage.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-13
The Red Balloon
This has been a favorite classic since I first saw it in the 50's. Finally it is on a DVD which I sent to my daughter to share with my grandchildren. Of course, I included a package of large RED balloons.

If you'd rather see information unrelated to the red balloon, try a Search.

Other Products: