One of the world's greatest short films released in 1956 at thirty-four minutes is Albert Lamorisse's Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon). Written and directed by Lamorisse, Le Ballon Rouge tells the story of a young boy who goes into an adventure when he finds a red balloon that has a mind of its own. A film with very little dialogue, it's emphasis is on storytelling as it becomes one of the greatest short films and children's stories of all-time.

A young boy named Pascal (Pascal Lamorisse) is walking in the streets of Paris on his way to school when he finds a red balloon. Taking the red balloon on his way to school, he is enamored with it but couldn't bring it home or to the school. Yet, the balloon has a mind of its own. The boy and balloon go around the city as he's the envy of many children while the boy's teacher is annoyed at the balloon's presence as the balloon follows him during an errand. The boy and balloon continue to scour around Paris as the red balloon has an encounter with a blue balloon. Yet, jealousy ensues by a gang of bullies who hope to destroy the balloon. Yet, little Pascal would find a surprise of his own through balloons.

The film is essentially a simple tale about a boy and his balloon as they act like buddies on a journey. Albert Lamorisse brings a tale that is simple yet magical that crosses all barriers for its audience. From the short but heartfelt script that follows the balloon in its journey to the direction that is gorgeous. Lamorisse's direction is truly imaginative with its presentation where the balloon itself is a character that anyone can love. Something as simple as innocent as a balloon that can bring joy and imagination to a little boy in a world that looks very bleak and restrictive. Yet, the ending can be described as ambiguous in its sadness but is swept into something very hopeful in an amazing sequence. The final scene proves that nothing can take out something as pure and joyful than a simple object like a balloon.

Edmond Sechan's cinematography is exquisite for its sunny look of Paris and location shots where the red balloon represents life in contrast to the grayish look of the Parisian buildings and locations. The editing of Pierre Gillette is wonderfully energetic and rhythmic, notably in the film's chase sequence between the boy and bullies. The sound work of Pierre Vuillemin is excellent for capturing its location sounds, notably the scenes with the bullies. The film's big technical highlight is Maurice Leroux's score that flourishes with wonder and imagination. With a light orchestral arrangement filled with flutes and woodwinds, it plays up to the film's light-hearted tone and tension in its final moments before the ending.

The cast is mostly played by unknown actors with Lamorisse's two kids in memorable sequences as his daughter Sabine as the girl with the blue balloon. Yet, it's his son Pascal who plays the boy with the balloon with a lot of charm and heart as it's an amazing performance.

Released in 1956, the film was a surprise international hit. For years, it would be played in schools and for many young children. It would be an introduction to foreign films as well as shorts. The film would garner many awards including the short film Palme D'or at the Cannes Film Festival, a special award from the British Academy Awards, a foreign-film award by the New York Critics association, and an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Today, it's a classic that remains timeless as it's truly one of the most essential great movies in cinema. This is a film that audiences young and old would enjoy. Even for its 34-minute running time, this story keeps on wowing the audience with pure imagination. In the end, Le Ballon Rouge is a heartfelt film that reveals the joy to a child in a little object like a balloon.

Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4