by Sachin Gandhi
A balloon floating up in the sky still manages to catch everyone’s attention! Some will express sadness at seeing the balloon floating away, at the thought that there is a child nearby who is crying at seeing their precious balloon fly away. Despite all the technological advancements and flashing gadgets we have in society, a balloon is still an essential part of a child’s life. No birthday party would be complete without the presence of balloons. In fact, balloons complete a birthday party. This love of balloons would have made Albert Lamorisse’s The Red Balloon an easy film to be included in a childhood countdown. However, the film is present on merit in the Wonders in the Dark Childhood Countdown because it is more than just about a balloon. In its short running time of 35 minutes, The Red Balloon encapsulates all of life, including all emotions associated with a child’s growth from an early age to that of a teenager. More importantly, the film’s style, without dialogue, and story make this a timeless work that is also the purest form of cinema. The film is a beautiful blend of documentary, art and commercial cinema. In addition, the template for many contemporary films, including Hollywood animation movies, can be traced all the way back to Lamorisse’s beautifully conceived short film.
The Red Balloon starts off with young Pascal (Pascal Lamorisse, the director’s son) finding a balloon tied up to a street lamp. Once he climbs up and gets the balloon, Pascal doesn’t let go and holds the string tightly, just like any child would. He goes everywhere with the balloon even opting to walk all the way to school as his balloon is not allowed on the streetcar. When he returns home, the caretaker is not happy with the balloon’s presence and goes to the balcony and releases it into the air. The balloon being sent into the air would be a child’s worst nightmare; the crushing feeling of seeing their cherished balloon disappearing. As it turns out, the balloon hovers outside the balcony, waiting for Pascal. It doesn’t take long for Pascal to figure out that the balloon can move up and down, follow him around and even obey, much like a trained pet would. This increases Pascal’s attachment with the balloon beyond the initial discovery of a toy. The balloon now becomes Pascal’s trusted companion, his only true friend, one with whom he passes his time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for other boys to be jealous of Pascal’s possession and they try their best to take the balloon away. When their initial efforts fail, they mount an ambush, overpower Pascal and crush the balloon. The death of the balloon sets off a magical element around Paris, as balloons of all colours and sizes free themselves from their owners clutches and gather to mourn the death of the red balloon. Pascal is excited to see all these balloons and grabs as many strings as he can. The balloons then fly off with Pascal, far away into the horizon, likely to a magical place, free of bullies and evil kids.
The film manages to capture all the emotions a person undergoes during childhood. Some kids find it hard to fit in and are left by themselves. It is clear Pascal does not have many friends at school and is on his own. When he finds the red balloon, he finally finds a friend to deal with his loneliness. Just as he is happy to shed his isolation, Pascal comes across another common aspect of growing up and that is the nasty bullies. The bullies pick on him and try to take away his balloon. The bully behaviour is depicted with a fine eye for realism, especially in how the boys mount an ambush, akin to adults looking to attack their target. The Red Balloon is devoid of dialogue and even the few spoken words are not clearly audible and not subtitled. This aspect does not take away from the film but instead makes this a work of vérité cinema. In fact, this short film can be considered to be an early film which shows how documentary and fiction can be beautifully blended together. In addition, the emotions imparted on a lifeless balloon and the ensuing friendship Pascal has with the balloon makes this film a precursor to the modern day Disney/Pixar and other Hollywood Studios animation films where toys, animals and various everyday objects come to life and exhibit human emotions. The cinematography and remarkable colour palette also assist in making The Red Balloon a vital work. Paris is shown in muted colours with grayish shades. Only the red balloon and subsequent balloons near the film’s end are rich in colour and stand out from their dull surroundings. This little piece of visual beauty allows the red balloon to appear magical, almost from another world. The Red Balloon is not just a brilliant children’s film, it is a brilliant piece of cinema! The film is as relevant today as it was when it first came out almost 6 decades ago in 1956. It is rare to find all of life condensed in a film with such a short running time but that is the incredible task that Albert Lamorisse has managed.
Wonderful piece here Sachin. This was the #1 film on my countdown ballot, as I felt for numerous reasons this was the epitome of what this countdown hoped to represent and acknowledge in large measure. I have quite a history with this film dating back to my very first cinema class in my very college undergraduate class. The is was the first film shown, and I’ve adored it ever since. Here’s a shout out for Maurice Leroux’s magnificent score, especially the phantasmagorical finale, when the boy is whisked up into the sky. Lamorisee’s son was quite an inspired choice as it turned out.
Thank you Sam. I have a history with the film as well. This was the first foreign film I saw when I was a child, or at least the first foreign I have memory of 🙂
Captivating film awash in rich color and triumphant music. As the writer states, this is a film about the life cycle played out during childhood. Very fine review!
Thank you very much Frank.
A favorite through my life, so thrilled to see it has made the countdown. Nice review!
Thank you Celeste. It has also remained a personal fav of mine. I voted it at #3 although I could easily have put it at #1.
I know how much Sam loves this film, but it would be hard to find any fault in this terrific review from Sachin. The final scene when all the balloons come together to elevate Pascal into the sky is the height of exhilaration. I remember the film has some obvious Christian symbolism.
Thank you Peter. Yes, Sam loves the film a lot. I felt very guilty taking this review away from him.
Hello Sam, Allan and site regulars. Circumstances have prevented me from following the countdown, but I have been there in spirit. I know that kind of work you guys have put into this project. And scanning through the reviews I see it is business as usual. I plan to read them all, though tonight I’ll do only a few. Mr. Gandhi has written with authority and enthusiasm on this short classic. No film features color like that in The Red Balloon.
Thank you David. Interestingly, the first time I saw this film was on a black and white tv. Some of the emotions came through but the real impact was obviously when I finally saw it in color.
Sachin,
I think I remember seeing this at a young age as it was shown to us in school I believe. I have a seen it a few times since then and it’s always rather a pleasant viewing to revisit it. Certainly the film is visually fascinating and the color palette, as you suggest, is a key element. The ending is certainly rather unforgettable. Thanks Sachin, Great stuff.
Thanks Jon. I also saw this at a very early in my childhood and many scenes stayed with me even at that young age. I always found something different to take away from the film as I grew older and revisited the film over the years.
Lovely film that I remember loving as a child – I saw it several times on TV and always remember the balloon hanging outside and waiting. Your piece brings it all back, Sachin.
Thanks Judy. I truly enjoyed revisiting this film. It was a trip down memory lane for me as well.
I went to see THE RED BALLOON as a 10 year old in Apri, 1957, and have fond memories of it. It was released in the UK at the time as the supporting film to THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE and this programme was Rank’s biggest money maker of the year at the Box Office. I understand that THE RED BALLOON didn’t get much of a cinema release in America and that most American kids saw it at school. This may be because American cinema admissions at the time were based on who the star of the film was rather than how good it was. For instance, in America they would say “We’re going to see a Gregory Pack movie”, while here in the UK we would say “We’re going to see THE BRAVADOS”. As no one in America in 1956 – 1957 would have heard of Albert or Pascal Lamorisse, it would have been difficult to sell the film on the basis of an unknown star. Nevertheless, it won an Oscar as well as many international awards.