The Red Balloon (1956)

[Scott]

Caught this 30 minute film called THE RED BALLOON (1956) from France a few days ago on TCM and it is really an odd one. Here is the basic idea of the film. A boy find a red ballon caught on a pole and climbs up and gets it. The balloon follows him everywhere like a pet or friend. This is not animation. This is real people and a red balloon! Anyway some of the kids in the area try to take it from him and evetually they pop it. The balloon is dead. The next thing you see is all the balloons in town getting away from other children and come to the grieving boy and take him away up into the air. The End. Lots of sound in this film, but no dialogue what so ever. The film won alot of awards in its day.

[Fearless Freep]

I remember seeing this one in school years ago, very odd.  Not sure if there was supposed to be some artistic point behind it or just to look interesting

[Dave:Blackeye15]

Oh yeah I have the tape somewhere.

-the first rule of fat club-

[BoyScoutKevin]

I saw it a number of years ago. I am afraid I don't remember too much about it. I do remember this is regarded as one of the better live action short subjects out there.

[Elizabeth]

I have an essay to write about this movie The Red Balloon.. I was wondering if anyone could help me. Here are the guidelines--

In this film, there are 3 different worlds presented: those of children, adults and balloons. EAch world operates by very different rules. Beginning with a good thessis statement, examine and analyze each world in denotative terms of what the film shows about those worlds and then in connotative terms about what the film suggests about them. Provide support for your ideas you have4 and give specific examples for each point made

[Fearless Freep]

Resurrected thread
Back from the dead
For homework is due
about a balloon, red

Watch  the movie instead
your brain will be fed
when you've written the words
instead of just read.

[Elizabeth]

i already watched the movie, i just dont get what my teacher wants me to write about.

[daveblackeye15]

Best damn movie ever made! I give it-wait a minute "Dave:Blackeye15"? Dang this must an old one, back when I called myself "Dave:Blackeye15"

[BoyScoutKevin]

A classic film, that still holds up almost fifty years after it was made.

And I'd go back and talk to the teacher and ask him or her, exactly what they meant. As it is not exactly clear to me, as well.

[jga5000]

I remember that movie, saw it in the fourth grade. I really don't know why my teacher showed it though, strange.

[Ash]

I remember this one but the one I remember was made in the 70's or 80's, I forget which.

Was it remade?

[loyal1]

Elizabeth wrote:

> In this film, there are 3 different worlds presented: those of
> children, adults and balloons. EAch world operates by very
> different rules. Beginning with a good thessis statement,
> examine and analyze each world in denotative terms of what the
> film shows about those worlds and then in connotative terms
> about what the film suggests about them. Provide support for
> your ideas you have4 and give specific examples for each point
> made

Your first step is to understand the common confusion between connote nad denote...I have cut and paste a great excerpt from American Heritage dictionary explaining the difference below.  As you can see denote is more direct and to the point...some common symbol that many would understand.  Ask what  scenes conveyed this to you.  As for connote, this will be more like subtext, a deeper meaning that suggests something additional.  For example many believe that the movie Invasion of the Body snatchers was not really about alien invasion, but about the threat of communism.  There is much in this short to go on, and the easiest to start with is denotative terms, there is plenty there.  After that, you will begin to develop ideas from connotative terms as you get deeper into the meaning of the film and it's symbolism.  what signifigance does the balloon have to this child?  why are they friends, yet from two seperate worlds?  What was actually destroyed...the balloon or innocence?  Why was it destroyed?  does it represent anything that we endure in our own lives of growing up?  Perhaps losing that childlike magic? There is so much you can do with this.  Good luck! :)

"Note the difference between this pair. Connote means “to signify indirectly” or “to suggest or convey what is not explicit.” Denote has three meanings: first, “to mark, indicate,” as in Her frown denoted her increasing impatience; second, “to serve as a symbol or name for,” as in A yellow light denotes caution; and third, “to signify directly,” as in The word river denotes a moving body of water. The confusion lies in these signifying senses, for denote describes the relation between the expression and the thing it conventionally names, whereas connote describes the relation between the word and the images or associations it evokes: The word river connotes the relentlessness of time and the changing nature of life. "

[Mr_Vindictive]

I saw The Red Balloon at a young age and was actually quite.....well....creeped out by it.  The balloon is just there....following the kid....with him....stalking him....brrr....

I have seen it a few times since, and actually find it to be quite a well made short.  If you have seen Red Balloon, then you should definently check out a little piece of animation from Don Herzfeld called "Billy's Balloon".  Herzfeld is the guy behind the funniest animated short ever: "Rejected".

[Elizabeth]

Thank you all so much for helping me with my paper! A million thank-yous to all of you :-D

[ED]

I had the picture book, and only saw the movie a few years ago.   I liked it, and the other kids killing the balloon may have warped my young psyche.  But I like it more as an adult.
-Ed