7.9/10
18,467
90 user 114 critic

Au hasard Balthazar (1966)

The story of a mistreated donkey and the people around him. A study on saintliness and a sister piece to Bresson's Mouchette.

Director:

Robert Bresson

Writer:

Robert Bresson
7 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anne Wiazemsky ... Marie
Walter Green Walter Green ... Jacques
François Lafarge François Lafarge ... Gérard
Jean-Claude Guilbert ... Arnold
Philippe Asselin Philippe Asselin ... Marie's Father
Pierre Klossowski ... Merchant
Nathalie Joyaut Nathalie Joyaut ... Marie's Mother
Marie-Claire Frémont Marie-Claire Frémont ... Baker's Wife
Jean-Joël Barbier Jean-Joël Barbier ... The Priest
Guy Renault Guy Renault
Jean Rémignard Jean Rémignard ... Notary
Guy Brejac Guy Brejac
Mylène Van der Mersch Mylène Van der Mersch ... (as Mylène Weyergans)
Jacques Sorbets Jacques Sorbets ... Police Officer
François Sullerot François Sullerot ... Baker
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Storyline

This is the story of a donkey and the somewhat difficult life it leads. During a summer holiday, the baby donkey is a child's pet but when they return home, it begins it's life of misery. It works as a farm animal, pulling a delivery cart and working as any manner as various owners require of it. Meanwhile, the young girl who first acquired Balthazar as a pet grows up, only to be badly treated herself by an indifferent and selfish boyfriend. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list. See more »

Goofs

In the very last shot of the film the shadow of the camera man or someone else enters the picture from the bottom right. See more »

Quotes

Gerard: Lend him to us.
Marie's mother: He's worked enough. He's old. He's all I have.
Gerard: Just for a day.
Marie's mother: Besides, he's a saint.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The Story of Film: An Odyssey: European New Wave (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

Piano Sonata No.20 in A Major, II. Andantino (D. 959)
Written by Franz Schubert
Performed by Jean-Joël Barbier
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User Reviews

 
Sublime
29 November 2008 | by rbloom333See all my reviews

"Everyone who sees this film will be absolutely astonished," Jean-Luc Godard once said, "because this film is really the world in an hour and a half." Robert Bresson's 1966 masterpiece defies any conventional analysis, telling a story of sin and redemption by following Balthazar, a donkey, as he passes through the hands of a number of masters, including a peasant girl, a satanic delinquent, and a saintly fool. Perhaps the greatest and most revolutionary of Bresson's films, Balthazar is a difficult but transcendentally rewarding experience, and the director is better able than in his previous work to put his philosophy of cinema into practice, that is is to say, the filming and meditation of that which is concealed. This is a gorgeous Criterion DVD with and excellent digital transfer, and it includes some fine supplemental material such as a French television program which includes commentary from such notables as Godard, Malle, and Bresson himself, speaking about the film. Never to be missed.


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Details

Country:

France | Sweden

Language:

French | Latin

Release Date:

25 May 1966 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Au Hasard Balthazar See more »

Filming Locations:

Guyancourt, Yvelines, France

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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,436, 19 October 2003

Gross USA:

$45,406

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,406
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »

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