Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Red Balloon is Charming; Enchanting and Disturbing, But Ultimately Uplifting! A Wonderful Classic Tear-Jerker!, 1 Oct 2008
This is a superb release of two classic 1950's short films, now on Region 2, for those without multi-region players who didn't buy the Region 1 release of a few months ago. Picture and sound quality on both films are excellent and so they should be, as they have been beautifully restored, at great cost, to their original pristine glory.
I originally went to see "The Red Balloon", as the supporting film to the 1956 Royal Performance Film "The Battle of The River Plate" at the now long gone Broadway cinema in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday, April 27th, 1957, one day after my tenth birthday and thought it was totally wonderful. It still looks just as wonderful today, nearly fifty-two years later and you can't say that about many films seen in that era.
You will notice that The Red Balloon has been reclassified from its original "U" rating to that of a "PG." But the British Board of Film Classification, in their wisdom, have, I believe done the right thing here. The film is actually in two parts. Part one is charming and enchanting and funny and lovely. But twenty minutes in, the film suddenly becomes much more serious and has a darker, more ominous tone about it, as the bullies of the neighbourhood appear, intent on not only destroying the happiness that six years old Pascal and his dearest friend, the balloon, have found together, but beating up Pascal and destroying his friend. A large gang of them chase Pascal, as he holds on tightly to his balloon, through the narrow, twisting and turning cobblestoned alleyways and streets of his neighbourhood. Pascal knows that if he and his balloon are caught by these vicious scumbags, it will be the end for both of them and he quite literally is running for their lives. The chase takes on the quality of a terrible nightmare, but one played out not in the darkness of night, but in broad daylight and bright sunlight.
Eventually, the bullies, through sheer weight of numbers, corner and surround Pascal on a hilltop and attack him and try to grab his balloon. But Pascal lets the balloon go and it sails a short distance upward. "Fly away balloon! Fly away!", cries Pascal in desperation. But the balloon will not leave its friend and pays the ultimate price.
These scenes may upset some children with a sensitive nature who have, over the course of the film, come to love the balloon and regard it as a real, living, sentient being. Certainly, I remember being in tears myself when I saw these scenes as a ten year old in April, 1957. I remember feeling upset...a feeling that was only partly alleviated by the spectacular and uplifting ending to the film. Something that seems to say: "There...there...It's alright now...everything's alright now!"
These scenes with the bullies still upset me even today, all these years later. So if you are an adult, watching this with a young child, prepare to hold them and comfort them if they are upset at the murder of Pascal's dearest and most wonderful friend. But, whichever way you look at it, "The Red Balloon" is a superb piece of film making that deservedly won many international awards, including an Academy Award for best screenplay.
"White Mane" is, of course, a completely different film to "The Red Balloon." But there's no mistaking the sheer artistry and talent that has gone into it. Artistry and talent that are undoubtedly the unmistakable hallmarks of Albert Lamorisse, one of the greatest film makers in the history of motion pictures. I highly recommend this DVD of two of his most famous and best loved films.
|
|
|
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Both are exceptionally good, 3 Oct 2008
I have had the great fortune of watching both at a young age - the balloon story is beautifully done (as is the white mane) and very thought provoking. I will not spoil the story of the balloon but will say that the tender age of about 12 i had to go through quite a few tissues at the end. After watching this film I made friends with every balloon I was given at parties etc, just in the vain hope that mine would be as special!
The White Mane obviously appealed to me, being a typical horsey mad girl, but the relationship between the boy and the horse is magical. Buy both, I am now its on Amazon!
|
|
|
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful film, 10 Sep 2008
The Red Balloon is a fabulous short film (35 mins) which can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. It is a French film, but this is irrevelent as the dialogue in the film is minimal and everything spoken is implied anyway. For a film made in the 1950's the balloon effects are very clever and the camerawork/photography will leave certain images etched on your brain for a longtime to come.
I wish I had seen this as a kid because I am sure it would have made a lasting impact on me. However even watching it 40 cynical years later I found quite moving in places. The only reason I haven't given the DVD 5 stars is that I haven't seen White Mane yet. If this is anywhere near the same standard of filmmaking then be asurred this is a marvellous purchase.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
![The Red Balloon/White Mane [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RnvfJOuDL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Flight of the Red Balloon & The Red Balloon [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SosUKpB-L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Storm Boy [1976] [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JNGd0fOBL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![The Red Balloon [1956] (REGION 1) NTSC [DVD] [US Import]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DvXXVrBsL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Storm Boy [1976] [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JNGd0fOBL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Peter Cummins
![Flight Of The Red Balloon [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nwyLBIF1L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Juliette Binoche
by Anthony Clark
by Albert Lamorisse
![Flight of the Red Balloon & The Red Balloon [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SosUKpB-L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Juliette Binoche
