I purchased this DVD from Penguin thinking it could possibly be a throw-away item. I was very pleasantly surprised to find not just one, but several gems on this DVD. While it is true that the promo material says they "sign" the coin, when really they are just "marking" the coin, it is still a very good effect. In fact, he teaches a handling that could be used in a variety of situations or effects to have a person do one thing, in this case mark the coin, and later feel like they initialed the coin. However, that "non-issue" aside, this is really a great effect. In fact, I think this is probably the best coin in balloon I have ever seen! What makes it so good is the handling, including the cool effect of making the coin spin in the balloon and giving out the balloon with the coin inside. If you leave that with someone, they have a new puzzle toy for the rest of the evening. It is also a nice opportunity to write a little note to the recipient (Collect chinese fortune cookies for ideas) and sign the balloon. They might just keep it a bit longer. Also, he has several bonus items, a couple of which I thought were just fantastic! His linking cards routine is great, and the torn and restored card is a fantastic impromptu effect. I also really liked his rope routine. This actually turned out to be a great DVD! Highly recommended!

This is a neat dvd, it takes some work, but all in all a cool effect. Also there are some really cool bonus rope and card tricks on this dvd which I likes and have used in my shows, so it is not just a coin in the balloon trick. The bonus tricks are cool and worth the money.

This DVD isn't anything that great. The DVD is good for beginners, since the tricks are fairly easy to perform and there are tricks with coins, ropes, and cards. In my opinion, the bonus tricks are much better than the actual coin in balloon trick. The Bairefoot force is basically a rip-off of the classic force (taught much better by Oz in the instant download); however, it is a force that every magician definitely needs to be able to do. If you have extra money laying around, then go ahead and get this DVD. Otherwise, don't waste your money and get something by Sankey or Oz instead.

I bought this video for a great price as part of an open box deal. I've got to be honest, if you look past all the criticisms from other reviews such as the coin cannot be signed and that Michael Bairefoot has such a big head he puts his own name on the classic force; there are some good effects here.

The coin in balloon trick is best for kids. I don't see the need to get them to mark the coin let alone get them to sign it. It's best just to follow quickly into spinning the coin inside the balloon and giving it back to them as a toy. There's no better misdirection to do a ditch and focus them on something else to enjoy and puzzle over.

I performed this for various groups of kids at a street market, for the first time today, however, the balloons kept bursting as they tried to make coin spin themselves. When this happened while the coin was spinning, it shot out with force. I made light of this the first time but got worried when it kept happening. I was lucky they that none broke anything or struck a child in the eye or something. While it provided great entertainment I don't think I will be using this one again.

I like the torn and restored signed card. It's basic but impromptu and gets good reactions from a lay audience. I intend to use the linking cards when I work out a good patter to explain why I need 3 cards. I do a lot of rope stuff so didn't expect to find anyhthing new on there for that. I was happy that there was one move I could add to my routine. I'm glad I got a great deal on this.

I received this DVD free when an order I placed was over a certain amount (thanks Penguin). I was surprised to find-out what it normally costs. If I’d have paid for this DVD then I, like many other reviewers, would have also been very, very disappointed; especially as the DVD case says a “signed” coin passes thru the balloon when really it should say a “marked” coin passes.

Also, I’ve not been doing magic that long so the fact I’ve never heard of Mr Bairefoot might be no big deal, but what I have heard of is the Classic Force. The ‘Bairefoot Force’ is in fact the Classic Force; maybe when he goes to France he calls the Eiffel Tower the Bairefoot Tower, who knows.

There are some other tricks on the DVD, but I was so underwhelmed by the main effect I gave them a miss. The DVD is being sold as a balloon trick with the other stuff as extras, so it's really the main trick that you are paying for; 29.99 for the main effect?....... buy a Jay Sankey DvD (or a couple of his tricks) instead.

1 Star - Thumbs-up (because it was free)

Easy of use = Basic Stuff; The Classic (‘Bairefoot’) Force needs practice.
Audience “wow” factor = Low to Medium
Audience Reaction = “Do you make balloon animals?”

Audience Target = Anywhere; might get laughed at in the pub; best for a kids party.
Could be performed Surrounded = Absolutely, no problem.
Reset Speed = 60 seconds, out of sight of people.
Examinable = Yes, at the end you are clean.
Fun to perform = You decide.

Like it , need practice .

I got this at a reduced price so for me it was good value the rope magic and torn restored card are good. Wouldn't have been so keen if I had paid the full price.

Michael Bairefoot is practical and explains clearly.
All of the effects could be called Ultimate with the Coin in the Balloon as a bonus, the DVD is that good.

I am 71 and still don't use the classic force, Michael inspired me to try it.

I might have complained, too, if I had paid $30 for this; but the price is now $2, and for that money this is pretty good stuff, all in all. He keeps saying the force he teaches is the classic force, with his spin on it, so I don't why people are trashing him for using his name. I think it may be partly his sense of humor. Anyway, the coin in balloon is OK, and the spinning is really quite a cool little bit of visual and audio fun. I was more impressed with the bonus effects. There is quite a lot on this DVD. Linking cards and t & r card are simple little impromptu routines, but they're fun and effective. The rope section has quite a lot of material. Some old stuff, for sure, but there are also some nice bits, effects, and pointers. And with the $2 price tag, it's a bargain. There's enough on this DVD for most people to come away with useful good material, more than two bucks worth, for sure!

This trick is pretty cool but does take some set up. Also, it says that it can be done with a signed coin which is a bit misleading. One you get it, you'll know why. The coin penetration is probably the best part of the trick though. The spinning coin in the balloon usually isn't, in my experience, very impressive. Some people will go for it but if you buy this, buy it for the penetration.