Au hasard Balthazar 1966

In the picturesque French countryside near the Pyrenees, a tender baby donkey finds itself adopted by a trio of young siblings - Jacques and his sisters - who reside on a rustic farm. As they welcome the new addition to their family, they also christen it Balthazar, alongside Marie, Jacques’s childhood sweetheart, whose father teaches at the adjacent schoolhouse. Tragedy strikes when one of Jacques’ sisters passes away, prompting his family to vacate the farm, which is subsequently taken over by Marie’s family through a loose arrangement. As the years go by, Balthazar’s fortunes take a turn for the worse as it falls into the hands of local farmhands who exploit its labor. The donkey’s life takes another downturn when it becomes entangled in an accident and flees, eventually finding solace with Marie, now a teenager, whose world is forever changed.

Meanwhile, tensions simmer between Marie’s father and Jacques’s father over the farm, culminating in a series of legal disputes that ultimately result in Balthazar being passed around like a pawn. The donkey finds itself in the clutches of Gérard, the ruthless leader of a young criminal gang who works at the local bakery as a delivery boy. Envious of the attention Marie showers upon Balthazar, Gérard takes control of the donkey and subjects it to cruel treatment.

One fateful day, Marie spots Balthazar by the roadside while driving her 2CV, and she pulls over to reunite with her beloved friend. However, Gérard has been sleeping nearby and seizes the opportunity to hijack her vehicle, refusing to budge when she demands he leave. It is heavily implied that Gérard commits a heinous act of sexual assault against Marie before abandoning her at home. The once-vibrant teenager retreats into an abusive relationship with the violent Gérard, leaving her parents’ loving care behind. As the situation spirals out of control, Gérard and his gang brutalize Arnold, another suspect in a murder investigation, labeling him a murderer and stool-pigeon.

As Arnold’s entrepreneurial endeavors come to a close with the Pyrenees tourist season, his trusty donkey companion, Balthazar, is suddenly thrust into a new chapter. The resilient beast escapes and finds itself part of a vibrant circus troupe, where it becomes an integral performer. However, when Balthazar catches sight of Arnold in the audience, its primal instincts take over, prompting a frantic retrieval by its owner.

Meanwhile, Arnold’s life takes a dramatic turn with the passing of his uncle, leaving him a substantial inheritance. The sudden influx of wealth is matched only by Arnold’s excesses as he throws a raucous party at a local bar, where Marie and her mother share a poignant moment, discussing their complicated pasts. As the night wears on, Arnold’s intoxication proves to be his downfall, leading to a tragic fall that ultimately claims his life.

In the aftermath of this devastating event, Balthazar finds itself back in circulation, its fate now tied to the whims of an opportunistic local miller who exploits the donkey’s strength for his own gain. On a rainy night, Marie, soaked to the bone, seeks refuge at the miller’s doorstep, only to find herself entangled in a web of manipulation and deceit.

As Marie navigates this treacherous landscape, she is forced to confront her troubled past and the harsh realities of her family’s dynamics. The arrival of Jacques, eager to propose marriage, sets off a chain reaction of emotions within Marie, who finds herself torn between her desire for freedom and her lingering feelings for him.

The darkness of Gérard’s character is finally revealed when Marie visits the old barn where their tumultuous relationship began. There, she is met with brutal violence at the hands of his gang, leaving her shaken and vulnerable. The rescue efforts of her father and Jacques provide a glimmer of hope, but not before Balthazar becomes embroiled in Gérard’s nefarious plans to borrow the donkey for his illicit activities.

As the narrative hurtles toward its climax, Marie’s mother is left reeling from the loss of her husband, while Gérard seizes the opportunity to abscond with Balthazar, intent on utilizing the loyal donkey as a mule for his contraband. The stage is set for a dramatic confrontation that will test the mettle of this resilient cast of characters and the indomitable spirit of Balthazar.

As Gerard (actor’s name) and his trusted associate prepare to converge with their designated contact, their meticulously planned operation is suddenly derailed by a hail of gunfire from customs guards. In the ensuing chaos, the duo makes a hasty retreat, leaving Balthazar (actor’s name) to face the music alone. The next morning, a somber revelation unfolds as it becomes clear that Balthazar has fallen victim to his wounds, his body bearing the telltale signs of a gunshot injury.

As the stillness of dawn settles over the desolate landscape, a gentle shepherd and his flock arrive on the scene. The sheep, their bells softly clinking in harmony with the morning’s quiet, gather around Balthazar’s lifeless form. With an eerie sense of resignation, he succumbs to his injuries, his body finally at peace as the sheep encircle him, their soft bleats a poignant counterpoint to the silence that has consumed him.