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Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)
"Au hasard Balthazar" (original title)

Not Rated  |   |  Drama  |  25 May 1966 (France)
7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 10,627 users   Metascore: 100/100
Reviews: 65 user | 90 critic | 8 from Metacritic.com

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

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Title: Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Marie
Walter Green ...
Jacques
François Lafarge ...
Gérard
Jean-Claude Guilbert ...
Arnold
Philippe Asselin ...
Marie's father
...
Merchant
Nathalie Joyaut ...
Marie's mother
Marie-Claire Fremont ...
Baker's wife
Jean-Joël Barbier ...
The Priest
Guy Renault
Jean Rémignard ...
Notary
Guy Brejac
Mylène Weyergans
Jacques Sorbets ...
Police Officer
François Sullerot ...
Baker
Edit

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 | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

|

Release Date:

25 May 1966 (France)  »

Also Known As:

Au Hasard Balthazar  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$8,325 (USA) (17 October 2003)

Gross:

$39,388 (USA) (12 December 2003)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Balthazar was an untrained donkey during most of the filming, which made Bressons's work a real challenge. The only scene for which the donkey was trained was the circus math trick. See more »

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. 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 »


Soundtracks

Piano Sonata No.20 in A Major, II. Andantino (D. 959)
Written by Franz Schubert
See more »

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User Reviews

 
a donky like a methafore of christian soul
7 May 2002 | by (italia) – See all my reviews

this is the most beautiful movie i ever seen in my life.

A perfect sinthesis of elegance, technique, simplicity. The use of the theme of a sonata of schubert for piano is also a way to suggest the lonelyness of our souls on the earth, the simple and melancholy melody its the perfect expression of the donky balthazar. I could say many things about the donky in the Bible, but if you are a believer this movie is also an experience for your soul..its a way to think about the meaning of life..after you see such a movie, your attitude toward cinema changes..and there is a beauty in each single photo, an elegant, essential beauty: the girl naked, the donky on a street...the silent and unsignificant life of a donky and its desperation and sufference, its wisdom and patience, its perfect sanctity.


35 of 61 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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this movie sucked ratsnbats
is this the best movie involving an animal with tragedy? meeyakey22
Can someone translate the title for me? rsimanski
Deserves to be in the top 250 QuickSickNick
The donkey is the only one who can act in this movie! Felix_le_Chat
I didn't cry psy_spectre
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