Product Details

• Actors: Rip Torn, Mara Wilson, Roberts Blossom, Fredric Lehne, Richard Riehle
• Directors: William Dear
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004
• Run Time: 89 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001I55OM
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,536 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Balloon Farm" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The town of Waterston is facing a severe drought, so it seems odd when a mysterious farmer named Harvey Potter moves into town and attempts to plant a new crop. Thus begins Disney's Balloon Farm, a tale about keeping one's trust and belief even in the bleakest of times. Rip Torn stars as the farmer who finds skepticism in all of the residents except one, a small girl named Willow (Mara Wilson, of Matilda). Greater suspicion arises when it appears that Harvey is able to grow a field of balloons that have seemingly magical powers. The film is quite colorful, not only in its bright hues but also in the variety of characters that populate the town. The suspicion of Waterston's town folk grows, however, when the highly profitable balloon farmer appears to be in cahoots with a company determined to foreclose on the local farms and turn the town into a massive garbage dump. As this is a Disney film for children, one can expect a happy ending--but not before the tension in the town rises and all seems lost. Hope survives, however, and the film teaches its viewers that "It's what you believe" that counts. (Ages 7 and older) --Zachary Lively

Product Description

A friendly newcomer to a drought-ravaged farm town surprises everyone by growing an amazing crop of brilliantly colored balloons in his field. While embracing the balloons as a sign of hope in troubled times, the community is suddenly torn between grouchy old Wheezie Mayfield and their mysterious new friend, Farmer Potter. Starring familiar favorites Rip Torn (MEN IN BLACK), Mara Wilson (MATILDA, MRS. DOUBTFIRE), and Laurie Metcalf (TV's ROSEANNE), this whimsical uplifting tale is perfect entertainment for the whole family!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, July 16, 2001

By	BURT KRITT (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Balloon Farm [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am 67 years old, so I guess that I am a child at heart. The cast was uniformally wonderful. I am a big fan of Mara Wilson, and all of the cast performed equally well. The movie is a fantasy, with it's basic moral that faith can do miracles. While, unfortunately this is not always true, in this movie it certainly provides a feel good ending. So, please, lose your disbelief and enjoy this movie.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balloon Farm, a charming story, July 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Balloon Farm [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Like many fantasy stories, you have to have a suspension of disbelief to enjoy it. I thought the cast did a good job. Perhaps other reviewers shouldn't have watched it many times if they didn't like it the first time. I have watched it many times and still enjoy it. I enjoy most Disney films and am a fan of Mara Wilson.

I thought the concept was well executed. I didn't expect that the balloons' contents would be what they were. I thought all of the characters gave fine performances, that includes the balloons as well.

If you have never believed in magic or can't enjoy a fantasy, this is not the movie for you. If you can you will be thoroughly entertained.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning movie!, August 3, 2007

By	Michael T. Mondak - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Balloon Farm", based on the Jerdine Nolen children's book of the same title, takes you and your family on a ride to a drought-ravaged town. A strange visitor (Harvey Potter) tries to boost the morales of the repressed townspeople by turning a simple seed of corn into a crop of colorful balloons. With an all-star cast including Rip Torn, Mara Wilson, and Laurie Metcalf, this movie is a sure winner with kids and their families alike!