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Double-bill of short films from French director Albert Lamorisse. In the Oscar-winning 'The Red Balloon' (1955), a young boy finds a red balloon, which becomes his companion, following him through the streets of Paris. Some bullies puncture the balloon but this does not prevent a jubilant ending. Pascal Lamorisse, the director's son, played the lead role. 'White Mane' (1953), set in the Camargue region of France, follows young Folco (Alain Emery)'s attempts to befriend a wild horse that local ranchers have given up trying to capture. But on discovering the boy has managed to tame the horse, the ranchers suddenly have a change of heart.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
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The short support movie at the cinema was 'The Red Balloon'. Taken by my mother, I sat and silently fought not to cry near the end of this wonderful film - at eleven years old, I did not want to be caught crying!
I was enveloped by this frail magic eventually crushed by brief, casual brutality, and only surpassed by the final impossible, overwhelming nirvana. I became the little boy; I found the balloon; I encountered life in a toy; I scampered along the alleys and over the ruins; I was crushed then awesomely uplifted in moments.
Even now, in my sixties, the images can still rouse the tears.
See this. See it when you're feeling reflective and have some quiet time. It will add quality to your life and your outlook. There is much humanity in this encounter. A bonus is the setting: views of the Paris streets - the people - the vehicles; all from the early fifties!
The value of this little masterpiece vastly exceeds its modest cost so, go on. See it!
I was enveloped by this frail magic eventually crushed by brief, casual brutality, and only surpassed by the final impossible, overwhelming nirvana. I became the little boy; I found the balloon; I encountered life in a toy; I scampered along the alleys and over the ruins; I was crushed then awesomely uplifted in moments.
Even now, in my sixties, the images can still rouse the tears.
See this. See it when you're feeling reflective and have some quiet time. It will add quality to your life and your outlook. There is much humanity in this encounter. A bonus is the setting: views of the Paris streets - the people - the vehicles; all from the early fifties!
The value of this little masterpiece vastly exceeds its modest cost so, go on. See it!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By P. Isaacs
Despite being of a certain age, I had never seen The Red Balloon before, so seeing such a little gem for the first time was especially pleasurable. I agree with all that the other reviewers said about it about the contents; the colour and clarity in the Blu-ray transfer is wonderful. The disc has a second film 'Crin Blanc' ('White Mane'). This is an earlier film (1953) in black and white, another charming and atmospheric film that I'd never seen - it's set in the Camargue and is the story of a boy who tames a wild stallion called Crin Blanc. Again it's been beautifully restored.
My only slight criticism is that the English subtitles are burnt into the films. For those of us with a smattering of French it would be nice to be able to turn them off, especially for Crin Blanc, as the narrator speaks with such a beautifully clear voice that even I, with my O-level French (from a very long time ago) could follow most of it.
Nevertheless, 100% recommended!
My only slight criticism is that the English subtitles are burnt into the films. For those of us with a smattering of French it would be nice to be able to turn them off, especially for Crin Blanc, as the narrator speaks with such a beautifully clear voice that even I, with my O-level French (from a very long time ago) could follow most of it.
Nevertheless, 100% recommended!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Colin Scott
If you are as old as me, you may have seen this film when it was released in the cinemas in the 1950's. Like me, you probably enjoyed it as a 'B' movie in support of another main feature film. You may also, like me, have longed for its release on DVD. It gained numerous awards in its day including
* Prix Louis Delluc: Prix Louis Delluc; Albert Lamorisse; 1956.
* Cannes Film Festival: Palme d'Or du court métrage/Golden Palm; Best Short Film, Albert Lamorisse; 1956.
* Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Writing, Best Original Screenplay, Albert Lamorisse; 1957.
* British Academy of Film and Television Arts: BAFTA Award; Special Award, France; 1957.
* National Board of Review: Top Foreign Films; 1957.[5]
* Best Film of the Decade Educational Film Award.
It is also given the highest 4-star rating in Halliwells Film Guide
In my mind, the Blu-ray transfer of this film is better than I saw in the cinema 55 years ago. Although French, it is of international appeal, and has little or no dialogue. Paris street scenes of the fifties have never been better recorded. If you remember this film or just love the classic art of the cinema, I urge you to buy this blu-ray version. The Red Balloon alone is worth every penny. White Mane is a bonus.
* Prix Louis Delluc: Prix Louis Delluc; Albert Lamorisse; 1956.
* Cannes Film Festival: Palme d'Or du court métrage/Golden Palm; Best Short Film, Albert Lamorisse; 1956.
* Academy Awards: Oscar; Best Writing, Best Original Screenplay, Albert Lamorisse; 1957.
* British Academy of Film and Television Arts: BAFTA Award; Special Award, France; 1957.
* National Board of Review: Top Foreign Films; 1957.[5]
* Best Film of the Decade Educational Film Award.
It is also given the highest 4-star rating in Halliwells Film Guide
In my mind, the Blu-ray transfer of this film is better than I saw in the cinema 55 years ago. Although French, it is of international appeal, and has little or no dialogue. Paris street scenes of the fifties have never been better recorded. If you remember this film or just love the classic art of the cinema, I urge you to buy this blu-ray version. The Red Balloon alone is worth every penny. White Mane is a bonus.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Film
Watch this movie and be transformed. Beautifully shot in Paris with loads of atmosphere. It's magic it really is. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Allan Fawkes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
There is little to add to the reviews previously written on this item except to reiterate what they generally say: this is an outstanding family film given richly deserved... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Chris Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Adorable Little Movie.
The main feature of this Blu-Ray is the short film The Red Balloon. It is only 35 minutes long, but I loved every minute of it. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Zombie Kermit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories are made of this
Excellent remastering of an old favourite. Main film is a 4;3 ratio then later addition at 16:9, player got a bit confused
Published 22 months ago by Stitcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent film
My husband and I saw this film years ago and were so pleased to find it on Amazon but when it came we had to go out and buy a bluerat dvd player to watch it. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2010 by cathy stoker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Childhood Memories Revisited
I saw 'The Red Balloon' at a cinema in 1956 when I was 12yrs old & over the years I would always list it as a great favourite of mine when discussing our top ten films. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2010 by B. Fowler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hearbreaking glimpse of 'Old Paris'
This is a beautiful transfer of the 1950's classic. The narrative is perhaps a little dated now for us jaded folk but the glimpses of a pre-lapsarian Paris are certainly not. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2010 by Archie
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful film
I used to watch this film with my grandfather when I was very young, I always watch this movie to think about him and it is a truly beautiful and touching film, a true masterpiece... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by Benjamin Tobin
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