Red Balloon (Ballon Rouge, Le) [Import, All-regions] (Dvd - 1956) Reviews

• Beautiful and Relevant!!!

  
  By A2XLAJEPT9DPYY on 2007-09-12
  I think I first saw this film when I was in second grade. It was shown on one of those noisy, old projectors at school. Having been a kid who felt really out of place, I related to it a great deal.
  
  Looking at it as an adult, I realize that the same issues of bullying and the one non-fighter amongst the fighters continue to exist in our schools. In some ways, the final chase scene is quite frightening, yet I am sure that many a kid could still relate to it. I think the final escape scene is every bullied child's fantasy.
  
  You don't have to have been bullied or have major issues to enjoy this film. The story overall is quite charming. And the ballons are as much fun as the people, if not more at times. The images of Paris have a sacral-idyllic quality to them while seeming pleasantly ordinary at the same time.
  
  The DVD, not being remastered, has some flawed parts-- but I could swear it was made from the very film I saw in second grade, so it may seem familiar to anyone who has seen it in film form before. Much of it is in great shape and the few bad spots don't really interfere with the flow of the film. Still, this film cries to be remastered and re-released with plenty of extras. It really is an amazing experience!
  
  

• Lovely, evocative, amazing!

  
  By A1K9QXAXSLMB48 on 2007-07-11
  I saw this film on TV years ago, and it has haunted me ever since. It is the ultimate child's fantasy, very touching, sweet, and innocent. I recommend it highly! It will take you back to your childhood, when life had its complications, but in imagination there was both escape and vindication.
  
  

• Movie is 10 star this DVD version is 0 star

  
  By A3TBE46PFHKEMG on 2008-02-07
  Don't buy this version or take it if it was given to you for free. Wait for the new remastered version by Criterion in April. Lousy print
  
  

• Up, Up & Away ~ A Beautiful Tale For A Rainy Day

  
  By A141HP4LYPWMSR on 2007-12-04
  Synopsis: Young French boy discovers a red balloon on the streets of Paris. When he is unable to ride on the street car because the balloon is too large he is forced 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 all the students would be gathered into the cafeteria to watch a short film, or a cartoon or two. Without question the film most requested by the audience was `The Red Balloon.'
  
  It had been at least forty years since my last viewing of this childhood classic when I sat down last week to view this All Region DVD release from Korea. The film still possesses all the childhood wonder as it had fifty years ago and now also serves as a mini-time capsule of Paris in more naïve times. Unfortunately the picture quality is severely lacking and spoils much of the ambience the pictures on the screen so delicately create.
  
  My Rating: Love the film, hate the picture quality; -4 Stars-.
  
  

• Sublime parable of childhood

  
  By A1O9XU6MNBYCI6 on 2007-09-04
  The Red BalloonThe Red Balloon is a classic film for children. The boy, Paschal, learns key lessons about life through his unique relationship with the big, red balloon. A short, simple story, but not simplistic. Rather, it is profound, heartfelt, and blends joy with pathos for an unforgettable lesson on how to overcome all the challanges that life throws at a child. Fun to see what Paris looked like in the 50s.
  
  
• Red Balloon Soars
  By A74Z9YO1SYL5U on 2007-09-12
  I love this little film! Did you see it in elementary school? In southern California it was shown to many children. Later in college I would bring it up to others who grew up in southern California and it was agreed upon that it was a classic. I tried to find it 10 years ago but no luck. Just found it on Amazon and had to own it. If you haven't seen it I recommend it.
  
  
• Great movie, horrible print
  By A2VMIB04FGB416 on 2007-09-14
  I saw this movie as a boy and insisted my mother take me again every time it was shown at our local art center.
  
  I love the movie but this print was beyond terrible. Focus is bad except for all the dust, scratches, lint and heat boils they managed to capture. Shame on me for buying a Korean import but I have not seen any other prints available.
  
  
• Don't pass over this gem!
  By A2RHCRP4OY017S on 2007-12-27
  This was a film I remembered seeing as a kid in elementary school. The last time I saw this film was on a local UHF station ten years ago before the station was bought out by another company. I don't speak or understand French, but it's very easy to follow along with the action. Though it was sad to see the neighborhood bullies destroying the boy's red ballon, it was wonderful to see the surprise ending (sorry - I can't give the ending away). This is a wonderful family film to watch though it is very short. I highly recommend it!
  
  
• The Red Ballon
  By A124JSMQMOQIDO on 2008-05-05
  A real disappointment. It comes across as a sloppy copy taken off of the screen of an 8mm film copy of the original.
  
  
• First movie I ever saw in a theater
  By ABXI3BGIO51M3 on 2008-05-06
  Pirated copy made in Korea, but still well worth the menories. I was very young the first time I saw this movie...and I still remeber the tears....
  
  

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