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Poster for Au Hasard Balthazar

Au Hasard Balthazar

Seen it?

1966 | 96 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off
  • An animal is harmed or dies.
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1966: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The story of a donkey Balthazar as he is passed from owner to owner, some kind and some cruel but all with motivations beyond his understanding. Balthazar, whose life parallels that of his first keeper, Marie, is truly a beast of burden, suffering the sins of humankind. But despite his powerlessness, he accepts his fate nobly.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $39K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 71K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Bresson

  • Anne WiazemskyMarie
  • Walter GreenJacques
  • François LafargeGérard
  • Jean-Claude GuilbertArnold
  • Philippe AsselinMarie's Father
  • Pierre KlossowskiMerchant
  • Nathalie JoyautMarie's Mother
  • Marie-Claire FremontBaker's Wife
  • Jean-Joël BarbierThe Priest