The Golden Age Of Hollywood

183
Au hasard Balthazar

Release date 25th May 1966
Country : France
Running time : 95 mins
Genre : Drama
Starring Anne Wiazemsky
Screenplay by Robert Bresson
Directed by Robert Bresson


The sad life and death of a donkey from a childhood surrounded by children who love him to a downtrodden adulthood as a beast of burden. His life is reflected by the girl who named him who has similar experiences.

A beautiful movie though very austere in form. The acting as Bresson wanted is very restrained but the plot is fascinating full of depth and an ironic commentary on the sins of mankind. The final shot is a real work of art. 



Jean Luc Godard the French New Wave director is an avid admirer of Au hasard Balthazar : "Everybody who sees this film will be absolutely astonished, because this film is really the world in an hour and a half."



DVD available from The Criterion Collection   : 
http://www.amazon.com/



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Written content copyright Derek McLellan,2005.
Copyright © The Fedora Chronicles

Au hasard Balthazar image from
http://www.mastersofcinema.org/