Ballon rouge, Le (1956)

Director:

Albert Lamorisse

Writer:

Albert Lamorisse (written by)

Release Date:

11 March 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Fantasy | Short

Plot:

A red balloon with a life of its own follows a little boy around the streets of Paris.

Plot Keywords:

Very Little Dialogue | Paris France | Friendship | Family | Balloon

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 wins

Cast

Pascal Lamorisse	...	Pascal the Boy
Georges Sellier	...	Shopkeeper
Vladimir Popov	...	Tennant
Paul Perey
René Marion	...	Pascal's Father
Sabine Lamorisse	...	Pascal's Mother
Michel Pezin

Also Known As:

The Red Balloon (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

34 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | USA:Approved | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Films Montsouris

Trivia:

This film had one of the largest non-theatrical runs in the history of American cinema. Thousands of 16-millimeter prints were distributed to schools across the country.

Goofs:

Continuity: Just after the scene where the boy is turned away from boarding the bus, you see him running off with the balloon in his left hand and the satchel in his right however in the next shot it is reversed.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Zomergasten: (#11.4)" (1998)

An All-time Favorite

This film is one of my all-time favorites. I consider it a masterpiece, and an emotionally moving experience. As an allegory on the power of love and friendship, it is unsurpassed. Yet one senses deeper, more profound meanings with the balloon as a symbol of the spirit and resilience of life itself, being able to mutate and regenerate itself in an endless flow of passion.