The Red Balloon
![The Red Balloon](https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/films/cff3315eb97f1e00f285b59af47c36db/NXL7Aj7DIjH9ayrp1f2miNZ6Aceaml_large.jpg)
Rarely has the spirit of childhood been evoked as exquisitely as in this Academy Award–winning cinematic fable, a fantasy with the texture of reality. On the streets of 1950s Paris, a young boy (played by director Albert Lamorisse’s son, Pascal) is launched on a miraculous adventure when he’s playfully pursued by a shiny red balloon that seems to have a mind of its own—until the harsh realities of the world interfere, setting the stage for a deeply moving finale. Shot in beautifully muted Technicolor, this beguiling allegory of innocence and transcendence has inspired generations of viewers to let their imaginations take flight.
Available In
![The Red Balloon](https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/films/cff3315eb97f1e00f285b59af47c36db/NXL7Aj7DIjH9ayrp1f2miNZ6Aceaml_large.jpg)
Cast
- Pascal Lamorisse
- Pascal
- Georges Sellier
- Featuring
- Wladimir Popof
- Paul Perey
- Renée Marion
- Sabine Lamorisse
- Michel Pezin
- Renaud Séchan
- David Séchan
Credits
- Director
- Albert Lamorisse
- Written by
- Albert Lamorisse
- Director of photography
- Edmond Séchan
- Music
- Maurice Le Roux
- Sound
- Pierre Vuillemin
- Editing
- Pierre Gillette
- Director of production
- Michel Pezin
- Produced by
- Films Montsouris
A scene from The Red Balloon
![](https://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/carousel-files/T9K5krUDJgTCIpo9UUP01cxQegbEGHBPjUTUDjVf.jpg)
![](https://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/carousel-files/iRTosHVssNO1yKMiS2nGEz5VUZg51aMDReJRAGOL.jpg)
![](https://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/carousel-files/fiIkfofsiQSXW7hPprOQvQEo7D99OXPqNcrV3R61.jpg)
![](https://criterion-production.s3.amazonaws.com/carousel-files/7lvmkeuMw3dA5YkwFgEr1wRSfb5Afvorkz0eZDO2.jpg)