| # | Author | Message |
1
| Kar2oonMan
Mon 4/7/2008 12:18p | As a kid, I had a picture storybook of "The Red Balloon" but had no idea the photographs in it were from a 1956 French film of the same name. Last night, I finally got to see it on Comcast "on demand" and what a great little film. It runs just 33 minutes and is basically without dialogue (a few words in French are spoken here and there, but it's pretty obvious what's being said).
The film is about a little boy who finds a red ballon caught in a lamp post. The balloon behaves very much like a pet, following him around, waiting for him to get out of school.
It's a simple, charming little film that if you ever get a chance to see, please do! |
2
| Daannzzz
Mon 4/7/2008 12:23p | It is a great film. We saw this in school a few times ...back in the late 60's!!! Most everyone seemd to really like it. I have not seen it in many years. |
3
| LacyBelle
Mon 4/7/2008 4:46p | ^^Yep, I recall quite a few viewings of "The Red Balloon" in grade school in the '70s.
Now I'm going to have to search On Demand to see it again. Thanks for the memory, 2oony. |
4
| DlandDug
Mon 4/7/2008 5:05p | I first saw this in some film appreciation class. I also had the book, then passed it on to a friend who was a major, major fan of the film.
Me, I'm just a big ol' cynic, I guess. To me it is just kind of silly.
There are a number of fan sites devoted to the film. You do know that the little boy is the filmmaker's child? And that much of the location shooting was done without permission?
Biggest secret: they used several different red balloons! Hope that doesn't spoil the film for you...! |
5
| threeundertwo
Mon 4/7/2008 5:16p | I remember that film from gradeschool too.
|
6
| jdub
Mon 4/7/2008 6:43p | Me too!
I also liked the song, by Nena. |
7
| Jim in Merced CA
Mon 4/7/2008 6:50p | I remember seeing 'The Red Balloon' on the CBS Children's Film Festival, starring Kukla, Fran and Ollie.
Cynical, indeed, I've always found it to be rather charming and sweet. |
8
| Kar2oonMan
Mon 4/7/2008 7:22p | The balloon in the film really is amazing. I'm sure the effects were achieved by fishing line or something similar, but they sure hold up pretty well and there weren't any visible goofs to reveal how they did it.
And the balloon(s) must have been coated with some sort of lacquer. It's the shiniest, most ballooniest balloon ever. |
9
| Kar2oonMan
Mon 4/7/2008 7:33p | And why the heck did you guys get to see this film in school while I was stuck watching stuff like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=related |
10
| wonderingalice
Tue 4/8/2008 6:45a | A classic... I also saw it several times in elementary school during the '60s.
Where the heck were you, 2oony?? *L* |
