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The 400 Blows
1959
Antoine Doinel is branded a trouble maker at his school due to his problems at home... He finds comfort at the cinema where the world can offer more than his reality. French dialogue. Read more
| Starring | jean-Pierre Leaud, Claire Maurier, Georges Flamant, Guy Decomble |
|---|---|
| Director | Francois Truffaut |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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The 400 Blows
Antoine Doinel is branded a trouble maker at his school due to his problems at home... He finds comfort at the cinema where the world can offer more than his reality. French dialogue.
| Starring | jean-Pierre Leaud, Claire Maurier, Georges Flamant, Guy Decomble, Patrick Auffay |
|---|---|
| Director | Francois Truffaut |
| Studio | Cinema Club |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 35 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | French |
| Subtitles | English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Dec 2002 Production year: 1959 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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See why this Swedish romantic horror has got everyone talking.... read more »
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Most helpful member's review
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26 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Simple tale with existential undertones
A beguiling and playful classic on the complexities of childhood and the simplicity of adulthood. Leaud plays a young tearaway who is more the victim of his own bad judgement than any maliciousness – at every turn he acts before thinking, and each time he is drawn closer to doom. The film is entertaining and joyous, the narrative straightforward, the music enchanting and involving: yet Truffaut’s message shines through, and as such 400 Blows is a masterpiece in the light-hearted but effective conveying of theme. The boy’s struggle to find happiness and make it through the day is a reflection of an adult need to find the meaning or purpose of life. Meanwhile the adults act childishly – behaving by arbitrary rules set by others, shirking responsibility and letting their intellects be easily overcome by their emotions. It is an adult world that Leaud refuses – not as a statement, but through his instinctive actions – to take his place in, and the final shot of Leaud running and running from the reform school in which he has been imprisoned is a vital affirmation of freedom, self-determination, individuality and a very basic, animal humanity. Leaud’s character is a hero because he so unceasingly struggles to be free, to be himself.
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Most recent members' review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful and thought-provoking
I ordered this on a friend's recommendation and had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised from the start. The cinematography shines with originality and it is a delight that it remains so unique over 40 years later. Several scenes I had to watch again just because they were so awe-inspiring. The only thing that let it down for me was the lack of development of the parents' characters - I found the mother abhorrent, and did not understand the motivation for her behaviour. I also find it quite suprising that this film made so long ago provides one of the best examples of a kid exhibiting signs of ADHD. It was my first Truffaut film, but it definitely won't be my last!
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News and features
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Let the Right One In
- 06 Apr 2009
Film of the year so far! Imagine, say, My Life as a Dog, Ratcatcher, or even 400 Blows, one of those bittersweet portraits of lonely children bumping up against the hard knocks of parental neglect, abuse and poverty. Cross that kind of acute honesty and naturalism with an edgy near-the-knuckle horror movie – Near Dark, for instance, or Ringu. Now set this intriguing mutation in the suburbs of Stockholm during the depths of a Swedish winter. Let the Right One In is that movie, and it’ Read more
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Antoine Doinel is branded a trouble maker at his school due to his problems at home... He finds comfort at the cinema where the world can offer more than his reality. French dialogue.... -