The Balloon (1956): cast, story & where to watch
1956 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1956, The Balloon is a drama film directed by Yūzō Kawashima, running about 109 minutes.
What it’s about. Haruki Murakami is a successful family man and the head of a camera company. Unbeknownst to Murakami, his arrogant son oscillates between a mistress and a new lover who sings at a nightclub. When Murakami’s disabled daughter befriends the mistress, the affair throws the family into turmoil.
Who’s in it. The Balloon stars Masayuki Mori as Haruki Murakami, Tatsuya Mihashi as Keikichi Murakami, Mie Kitahara as Mikiko Mikihara and Sachiko Hidari as Ruiko Aso, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, The Balloon has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Balloon page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Balloon tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Balloon (1956)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Balloon change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Balloon worth watching?
- The Balloon holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Balloon?
- The Balloon stars Masayuki Mori, Tatsuya Mihashi, Mie Kitahara, Sachiko Hidari and Izumi Ashikawa.
- When was The Balloon released?
- The Balloon was released in 1956, with a runtime of about 109 minutes.