Sure, the pretty interesting and heartbreaking Nanking (R3 review) is being released on DVD today; as is the critically acclaimed The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (R3 review). But my DVD pick this week is much shorter and much more touching; not to mention nostalgic.
If you remember working your way through the American public school system, chances are you can recall seeing Albert Lamorisse’s The Red Balloon at least once, likely several times, throughout the first years of your curriculum.
The Red Balloon is the heart-warming tale of a young boy walking the streets of Paris who discovers that his big, red, helium-filled balloon somehow has a mind of its own and can follow him around and play games with him all by itself. It’s been probably 25 years since I’ve seen this film, but I remember it quite fondly and vividly.
The film is visually interesting with great cinematography and quite decent special effects (for 1956) that keeps the balloon bobbing and weaving around corners and even “running” up and down alleyways and over buildings. It seems that the balloon can even “see” into windows and interpret certain scenarios as 
dangerous or playful. The way Lamorisse is able to give something as simple as a balloon the appearance of emotion and a personality is truly magical.
The title is getting its first time (region 1) DVD release today and is being released by Janus Films (“in association with The Criterion Collection”). While this got me fairly excited upon first reading, it turns out that it’s not much of what we have normally come to expect from Criterion. Extras include only a trailer and some English subs (although I don’t really remember much dialogue in the movie at all).
Still, from reviews I’ve read, apparently the new digital transfer is gorgeous; along with a remastered digital mono soundtrack. Though kept at it’s orignal full-screen asspect ratio, a black border surrounding the picture has been added to prevent overscan. Moderately priced at ten bucks, I’m quite anxious to revisit this GREAT little film (my first art film and likely my first foreign language film to boot) in all of its Criterion wonder this week.
Amazon ($10)
Netflix (available for free, live streaming!)
Blockbuster
Flixster
$10? Wow. I’ve been hearing lots of great things about this film and shamefully, I’ve never seen it. With a $10 price tag, it sounds like a worthwhile purchase.
Five star film. Easily. About 35 minutes long.
Unfortunately, I went to Catholic school for 12 years, so the only films I got to see were of the heaven-and-hell variety (although I remember seeing a pretty cool short-film version of “The Monkey’s Paw” in sixth grade).
At that price, and considering it’s a Janus release, I’ll certainly be picking this one up.
Nice catch, this definitely brings back memories..
I was very young when I saw this. I remember crying at the end… lol It will be interesting to see this as an adult. Thanks for the heads up on it’s dvd release.