Product guide

The Red Balloon (The Criterion Collection) DVD

The Red Balloon from The Criterion Collection is a 34-minute French film directed by Albert Lamorisse, presented on DVD. Its nearly wordless story follows a boy and a balloon through the streets of Paris, making this a brief, visually led choice for family viewing or a film collection.

At a glance

A nearly wordless story about a boy and a balloon in Paris, according to the listing.
French-language presentation with English subtitles.
The listed DVD format includes both Full Screen and Widescreen descriptions.

Price

$7.48Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$14.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The short 34-minute runtime suits a brief viewing session.
English subtitles are listed for the French-language film.
Customers describe the film as appealing to adults and children, and praise its story and visuals.

Cons

At 34 minutes, it is substantially shorter than a typical feature-length film.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Film details
Genre	Drama
Director	Albert Lamorisse
Language	French
Subtitles	English
Runtime	34 minutes
MPAA rating	G (General Audience)
Release date	April 29, 2008

Disc and presentation
Media format	Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Aspect ratio	1.33:1
Number of discs	1

Item details
Model	CRRN1746DVD
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 3.2 ounces

What to know before buying

The listing describes the presentation as both Full Screen and Widescreen, and also lists an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Confirm the intended presentation if screen format is important. The story is described as nearly wordless, not entirely without dialogue.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers looking for a short, visually led film for family viewing.
Collectors interested in a Criterion Collection DVD of Albert Lamorisse's film.
People comfortable watching French-language content with English subtitles.

Less suited to

Buyers seeking a feature-length film or a dialogue-heavy story.
Anyone specifically requiring a confirmed widescreen-only presentation.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 617 ratings

5 stars91%91%
4 stars6%6%
3 stars2%2%
2 stars1%1%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback highlights the film's simple, meaningful story, visual appeal, and charm for adults and children. That response suits the listed 34-minute, French-language film with English subtitles, especially for viewers open to a nearly wordless story. Aggregate ratings are strongly positive overall, but they do not explain individual viewers' reasons.

Positive themes

Customers describe the story as charming and emotionally meaningful.
Customers praise the visuals and its appeal across ages.
Customers appreciate that the story communicates without much dialogue.

Frequently asked questions

How long is The Red Balloon?

The listing gives a runtime of 34 minutes.

What language and subtitles are listed?

The language is listed as French, with English subtitles.

Is this a widescreen DVD?

The format details list both Full Screen and Widescreen, alongside a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The listing is inconsistent, so confirm the presentation if this matters to you.

What do customers say about the film?

Customer feedback highlights its simple, meaningful story, visuals, and appeal to adults and children. The listing describes it as nearly wordless.