All Movie Guide

Most of French director Albert Lamorisse's films celebrate the miracle of flight, but few were as landmark as his 1956 short subject The Red Balloon. The story, told with a minimum of dialogue, concerns a little boy (played by the director's son Pascal) who comes across a helium-filled balloon. As he plays with his new acquisition, the boy discovers that the balloon seemingly has a mind of its own. The little red orb follows its new "master" all through the streets of Paris, then dogs the boy's trail into the schoolroom, which drives the teacher to comic distraction. Towards the end, it seems as though boy and balloon will be parted forever....but director Lamorisse has a delightful surprise in store for us. In an unusual move, The Red Balloon in its American TV premiere was introduced by Ronald Reagan as an episode of the CBS anthology G.E. Theater on April 2, 1961. Hal Erickson

All Movie Guide

The great African American character actor Frank Silvera was afforded a rare movie starring role in the French short subject The White Mane (Crin Blanc) The title alludes to the film's actual protagonist, a courageous white stallion. Despite repeated attempts, the stallion steadfastly refuses to be captured and broken. There is a delicate fantasy element to the proceedings that might have been shattered had director Albert Lamorisse extended the film beyond its perfect 38 minutes. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 715515034524
• Source: CRITERION
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Presentation: B&W
• Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
• Language: Français
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 1:14:00
• Sales Rank: 29

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

• Criterion Collection: Red Balloon
• White Mane

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