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

Stars:

Anne Wiazemsky, Walter Green, François Lafarge

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

donkey | farm | parable | smuggling | machine | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Sweden

Language:

French Latin

Release Date:

25 May 1966 (France)

Also Known As:

Au Hasard Balthazar

Filming Locations:

Guyancourt, Yvelines, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,325, 19 October 2003, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$39,388, 14 December 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Argos Films, Athos Films, Parc Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an interview, Bresson said he was inspired to make the story after reading a passage in Dostoyevsky's novel The Idiot, in which the main character the Prince mentions his special fondness among animals for the lowly donkey.

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Goofs

The "for Sale" sign that is on the fence when Balthazar runs through the gate is different to the one seen in close-up. Also, when he runs through the gate, the sign is in shadow but in close-up it is in full sun.

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Quotes

Marie: Don't you believe in anything?
Merchant: I believe in what I own. I love money. I hate death.
Marie: You'll die like everyone else.
Merchant: I will bury them all.

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Connections

Referenced in Wiener-Dog (2016)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

One of the most memorable endings in cinema

The film's ending is one of the most memorable in cinema, and achieves an eerie grace, consistent with its almost unique tone - allusively Biblical and allegorical, yet resistant to specific meanings and interpretations. The plot is a narrative of human cruelty and escalating despair, but always with enough mystery in the motivation to ward off easy condemnations; and perhaps even to indicate divine guidance. Throughout, Wiazemsky seizes on the donkey as a symbol of transcendence(her mother calls it a saint in the end); it's formally christened at the beginning and undergoes something approaching a formal funeral, all of which gives its life the contours of a spiritual journey of discovery. The narrative encompasses both revelations (the interlude in the fair; new tortures like the mean old man who starves and beats him) and retrenchment; both life's austerity, its roots in servitude, and its enormous potential dignity. Never was a donkey filmed so evocatively - but as always with Bresson, the simplicity is thrilling too - there's no false artistry here; no dubious anthropomorphism. A necessary film, and I'm amazed that I'm the first one to be commenting on it here.