Le Ballon Rouge

On Tuesday Ned and I went to visit Melbourne institution and beautiful children’s specialist bookshop, The Little Bookroom to pick up a copy of The Red Balloon that I had ordered. This was one of those books that I always thought I owned but when I went to find it it wasn’t on the shelf and so I needed a copy.

Le Ballon Rouge is the original French title and was also the title of the short film that preceded the picture book. The book is illustrated with stills from the film that was written and directed by documentary film maker Albert Lamorisse in 1957 and actually starred his 5-year-old son Pascal as the young boy who befriends a balloon.

Although the story sounds strange it is amazing how Lamorisse created on film a balloon with personality that seems to be the protector of Pascal and a friend that he desperately needs.
Through Pascal’s eyes you remember what is like to be littler than everyone else, he is bullied and has many adults in his life that tell him to get rid of his balloon. Pascal however does not give up on their unconventional and unconditional friendship.

Gosh I adore this little boy with his big brown eyes, his bowl haircut and cute little grey uniform, pants pulled up high. The scene where Pascal meets a little blond girl who has a blue balloon is a stunning piece of film where the interaction between the balloons and the two children is mesmerising.

The scenery is spectacular as Pascal runs around the streets of Paris that are grey, wet and misty; the only colour is his red balloon. Around Paris are the remnants of war, with some parts of the city in rubble. It is understandable why Pascal needs to find a friend in a world that is crumbling.

In the final scenes that are a bit reminiscent of Lord of the Flies the bullies corner Pascal and pop the balloon but in some incredible arial photography all the balloons in Paris rise into the sky flying to Pascal’s side and lifting him from danger over the Parisian rooftops.
There is suggestion of both religious and political undertones in Lamorisses’ film but I would rather just watch it, and read it, as a beautifully written and filmed story of friendship and loyalty.

This clip from is only the beginning of the film, you can watch it in four parts on Youtube.

If you remember this film or the book from your childhood then you should get yourself a copy just because. Even Ned’s dad came home and said “I remember that book, I loved it”; it’s lovely to revisit things that made an impression on you in your childhood.

While searching the internet for The Red Balloon I also found that Lamorisse had also made another film with his son Pascal called White Mane about a herd of wild horses in the South of France, you can read more about it here and see a gorgeous still from the film.

Recently Taiwanese Director Hou Hsaio-Hsien was comissioned by the Musee d’Orsay to create a film that payed homage to Lamorisse’s film. The new film is called Le Voyage Du Ballon Rouge or The Flight of the Red Balloon. I am looking forward to seeing it as it has had wonderful reviews.

Finally, I have long admired a blog called Mrs. Elliot’s Books. Francesca who owns the blog is a very talanted artist and one of her art works available on Etsy is inspired by The Red Balloon. It is just gorgeous and she also sells lovely Red Balloon cards too.

||The Red Balloon is available in the We Heart Books store||