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 BressonWriter:
Robert Bresson
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Title: Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)
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5 wins & 2 nominations.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Anne Wiazemsky | ... |
Marie
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Walter Green | ... |
Jacques
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François Lafarge | ... |
Gérard
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| Jean-Claude Guilbert | ... |
Arnold
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Philippe Asselin | ... |
Marie's father
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| Pierre Klossowski | ... |
Merchant
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Nathalie Joyaut | ... |
Marie's mother
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Marie-Claire Fremont | ... |
Baker's wife
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Jean-Joël Barbier | ... |
The Priest
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Guy Renault |
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Jean Rémignard | ... |
Notary
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Guy Brejac |
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Mylène Weyergans |
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Jacques Sorbets | ... |
Police Officer
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François Sullerot | ... |
Baker
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Plot Summary
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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
Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
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Details
Release Date:
25 May 1966 (France) See more »Also Known As:
Au Hasard Balthazar See more »Filming Locations:
Guyancourt, Yvelines, FranceBox Office
Opening Weekend:
$8,325 (USA) (17 October 2003)Gross:
$39,388 (USA) (12 December 2003)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
Edit
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.
See more »
Written by Franz Schubert
Performed by Jean-Joël Barbier
See more »
Did You Know?
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
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.
See more »
Soundtracks
Piano Sonata No.20 in A Major, II. Andantino (D. 959)Written by Franz Schubert
Performed by Jean-Joël Barbier
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bresson's finest work is the result of completely giving up, even the chance at freedom -- because freedom, as the donkey and the girl might have known, is an illusion of joyousness. We see a movie about suffering, of giving in to suffering because to fight it would make you as wrong as the people who are perpetrating the suffering.
Au Hasard, Balthazar is an inspiring reassurance of the existence of God by the lack of even the slightest miracle or good fortune. What is not seen, the saving grace, is made more real and believable in its absence. (This is what the real essence of the Catholic church once was {when it accurately recreated Christ's gift}and what illuminates Robert Bresson's personal spiritual path in the otherwise deeply perverted church of today).
The story, that of a donkey's life, is, on the surface, absurd. But what Bresson can bring to it through the patient austerity of his camera work, the martyr like surrender of his characters (including the donkey Balthazar), is as transcendent and enlightening as a private epiphany. What is amazing is that he is able to project so much depth into an audience so unsuspecting.
Finally, and perhaps what makes this film and all of Bresson's work so illuminating is that he had an unrelentingly objective film sensibility quite like that of Luis Bunuel. And because Bunuel was clearly an atheist, the fact that Bresson would be as naked as Bunuel and still move us is the proof that there was something to his faith.