Critics' Picks - Critics' Picks: 'The Red Balloon' - nytimes.com/video

[TheSolaris810]

My favourite film. A simple tale with a profound message about the ego, individuality and tolerance. I think the red balloon symbolises the boys spirit, and his yearning to escape and fly away from his environmental and emotional poverty; the balloon following him represents the persistence of the boys spirit despite all the odds against him; and his rescue by the other balloons are a symbol of hope in all their colours. It should be shown in every class.

[ReDSoXfrvr1]

did the critics pick this to torture us?

[orsetto81utube]

Gross misinturpretation. The Balloon is hope, the boy is renewal and innocence. Given the time period that this was made (production being a year earlier) the country was feeling this way, in need of hope, wishing for an innocence long lost by war and rebuilding. This movie is FAR more than this short-sighted and literal critic has said. Perhaps people should know more about the context before offering their views.

[orsetto81utube]

@orsetto81utube And yes, I am aware that it was made in 1956, so during a time that they were still rebuilding and new wars were being waged.

[1randomchikk]

I remeber seeing this movie in the first grade!!

It's such a simple movie which makes it so unique

the entire movie is based on the little boy and the ballon( which doesn't sound too amusing) but once you do watch it it's such a captivating film....!

It's weird ! among my many childhood memories I remember going to see the play of the secret garden and it was just soo amazing! Does anyone know if you could still go watch the play today???

ohhh and thanks a bunch

 albert lamorisse:)

[savvysearch]

There's something magical about this film that's brings back so memories from my childhood. It's able to evoke a sense of nostalgia more successfully than any other film I can recall.

[gummybear13362]

awwh i saw this movie its tooo cute <3

[floundericiousWA]

I found this because the comments on Damien Rice's "9 Crimes"official video suggested this was a genesis for the visual themes of that music video...I have to say "absolutely right"

[shawnstam]

I have seen this movie many times in grade school in the 80's

[Stamatis57]

beautiful film that has been brilliantly executed ...

[The31415927]

Had them YEARS ago already.. chill. America just doesn't present well.

Over a decade ago...as I was supposed to because I WAS there. Unlike some prepping for a fuckin Rosa Parks injection of WTF?

Now BACK off you fucking SPASTICS or I'll fly another plane via "remote".

[TheDDGamerTrailers]

wow this movie has extremly good quality for a 50's movie i feel like this is from the 90's instead

[micamica1952]

very OK

[wmlfan9]

Watching this movie will make you want to visit Paris!  Beautiful.

[webdotstudio]

This is a fantastic film that was very impactful during my very young childhood. One of those memories from the early 80's, when I first saw it, that just "stuck" in my mind with great clarity.

[Doreen075]

@webdotstudio Mine too!

[bettydaw1970]

ugh this guys opinion is full of 20 dollar words and 2 cent content..

btw i wish i could wear grey pajamas all over town too!!!

[722productions]

I remember watching this on Nickelodeon back in the day (the 80s). They use to play movies and specials on Saturday afternoons.

[Katharyn27]

I hated watching this growing up and so did everyone else I know...8,9,10 year old kids do not "get" this film. It was torture trying to stay awake each year when they pulled it out...

[bettydaw1970]

@Katharyn27 100% true, this commentator is full of it!!!!

but i love it now that i m older and can appreciate it!!

i grew up in san diego and it rained very infrequently..but when it did our outside recess was brought inside to watch films like this and john henry-the coal miner..

[1xelmox1]

Omfg I wached this in french class today&& i was wonderingqq were ALL the balloons take him at the end!

[bettydaw1970]

@1xelmox1 well i am an atheist..and even i am touched that they bring him to "heavan"

[Luckianm]

@1xelmox1

:p most likely his untimely death after they pop, or when he starves... but joke aside i remember asking myself the same thing when i saw it as a kid... a better place maybe/hopefully :P

I felt strangely anxious watching it again :)

[youtooPhil]

GAY........ thats all i have to say........

[1xelmox1]

@youtooPhil if u dont like it why u on this...

[thealopecian]

i adore this film.

[MrMegaFredzeppelin]

I REMEMBER THIS AS A KID,THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!!!!!!!

[PierreLombardini]

the end is of hope, my favorite parrt was when the little girl with the blue balloon showed up... it looked sooooo cute.... and i never say cute.. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!

[JeannineElizabethlov]

i remember watching this as a little kid!

[Manthing32]

I remember watching this in elementary school and wondering "How the hell is he going to get down?"

[dragonfighter4171]

i just pop him

[jayantasodekar]

jrj4u.com

[jetbur1417]

when i was a kid it was the grey balloon.

[dane5256]

Hey, what gives? They never tell you who played the part of the balloon!

[TheMABeast]

What the fuck...This movie actually came in sound? Every single teacher I had made me watch this without it.

[ivorbigunzz]

A superb film.

I remember watching this as a child back in the early Sixtys on the BBC.

It has so much atmosphere.

The Red balloon against the Grey (sorry Gray) Streets of Paris.

Simple story telling.

A masterpiece.

[Rubyswink]

I remember watching this movie in primary school and HATED it!  It gave me bad dreams!

[skaterrawkz]

i like the end when the kids try pop it my favorite

[dacloo]

never seen this movie, but I do love the "special effect" - and that for a 1956 movie.

[berner]

I have been looking for this movie for a long time and never thought I'd ever see it. I saw it back in '84 when I was in kindergarten. Thanks youtube!

[Tacom4ster]

THEY JUST SPOILED THE ENDING FOR ME

[stormdude10234]

wate a second are some of the boys whereing skirts ?  or are those some sort of kilt

[aineeism]

i love it!

[Sabathela]

Così speciale...

[hpstarman]

I remember seeing this when i was a kid......one film I always cherish...thanks for posting !

[pocketspy]

The only part that the critic here did not mention is that we can hear things in the boy's home that tell us he is not happy at home. I think the ballon knows this after being 'rescued' by the boy. The boy's unhappiness at the end is why all the other ballons leave their owners and come to him. To take him away from the sadness in his life. It is like our dreams, flying is a symbol of escape from things we cannot escape in real life.

[CaledoniaJeanne]

@pocketspy - You are so right. I think that's what I got as a small child when I saw this. The spirit of this story speaks right to the heart of a child/the viewer. He was a solitary boy, a bit sad, but the balloon was magic to him and befriended him. They looked out for each other. The end was touching and triumphant. Powerful for a child to watch this. An unforgettable film.

[jtl6575]

@pocketspy & 4 sum reason da bad forces or side (group or gang of kids) r not an individual az 4 da good (da boy) he is jst himself & not sum group or gang.

[Hopjumpskip]

I have never forgotten this film since I first saw it aged 6...everything I drew after had ballons and kites...love this film! Thanks for uploading;)

[Komodoensis]

One of the brightest gems from my childhood. Every little kid should see this short film. Period.

[krishnaachethu]

true frndship is reflctd.........

[Morgena1]

This move shows the rue reality about a Childs life, let alone the telly tabbies they are rubbish

[glyphhunter]

I remember this film from grade school. It transcended language and culture, and I remember it fondly.

[EastCoastSage]

one of my favorite movies as a young child :)

[ecko1303]

all of u shut da fuck up...... diz movie is interesting in its own way...

[josedejesussk8]

no se ingles jajajaja

[esteban21022]

hello I'm spreading my music hope you like it, thank you very much and do not forget comment.

[ndlz1]

...& life will never be this simple again.  Glad to have had it in my childhood.

[ReliableInsider]

What does it take to entertain an adult? It doesn't take 3-D, or CGI, or talking animals . . .

[dackjaniels555]

That would make an epic parody lol.

[shamoni8]

true.

[dedrawilliams]

nope :)

[dackjaniels555]

Baww!! Go cry to your mom if you thumbed me down...

Get a fucking sense of humor.

[shamoni8]

hahahaha

that's what kids' movies should have! :P

[Tonks1967]

I just love this movie!!!