The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge)

The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge) (1956)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (19 reviews)

  • 89% of users liked it
    (7,199 ratings)

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… More

Unrated, 34 min.
Directed By
Albert Lamorisse
Written By
Albert Lamorisse
Genres
Kids & Family, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Nov 16, 1956 Wide
Lopert Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

  • Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

    A beautiful little meditation on childhood, on imagination literally taking flight.

  • Bosley Crowther, New York Times

    An utterly charming little story.

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    Lamorisse's lyrical tale, largeky told through imagery, holds up extremely well, and it's still the only short feature to ever win a major Oscar (original screenplay).

  • Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

    Imaginative story told entirely through visuals.

  • Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

    For those of us who don't have childhood memories driving our analysis, it's a passable kids movie that could be so much more.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Lady D


    For an older film, I like the creativity of this short, the dull backgrounds as a backdrop with the infusion of bright colours is almost reminiscent of black, white and reds, used in films such as Sweeney Todd, so shows this in a much older age. I felt this could have been a great… More

  • Cindy I


    A WONDERFUL little film about a balloon with a mind of its own. The ending will stick with you forever.

  • Randy T


    How cool!!! If I weren't so awesomely masculine I'd be tempted to say "enchantingly delightful', but of course I AM awesomely masculine so I just say "how cool!"

  • Pierluigi P


    Sweet fantasy that, like all great fables, takes us back to the best years of our lives.

  • Jennifer X


    One of the most affecting and audience accessible silent movies ever. Symbolic, full, and innocent. Perfect length.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

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