The 400 Blows Reviews

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.

Rent it

Beautiful (and often very bleak) portrait of a young delinquent from Truffaut. Fantastic, natural performances from the whole cast and a gobsmacking final shot that you'll never forget. What a brilliant film. I highly recommend it.

Essential viewing

Seminal work by Truffaut ? shot in black and white, without sentimentality, in a cold Parisian winter. this is essential viewing for all those who love cinema and uncompromising story lines.

The narrative is a getaway to the darker side of growing up. No Hollywood gloss here, just a sober elegance to a small, unforgettable tale. A masterpiece.

[Highly rated reviewer]

This must be one of the best films ever made about early adolescence. Having a 14 year old actor playing 12 is potentially a problem but Truffaut's young star is very good indeed and went on to star in two sequels and other films for Truffaut. I was almost the same age in 1959 when the film was made and identified with much of the action, especially the school scenes. I grew up in Scotland but we seemed to have the same rows of desks with ceramic inkwells and sratchy nib pens which always blotted on the page. And the teachers then were often bullies and prone to thump you on the back or give you a 'clip on the ear'. The character of young Antoine is plainly a young Truffaut and the autobiographical content is wonderfully realised and never sentimental. Especially good is the use of Paris locations and fluid camerawork on location which must have been a revelation at the time when most French films were shot in the studio. What comes over as well is an intense love of film which Truffaut later explored in 'La Nuit Americain - Day for Night'; another lovely film celebration of filming.

A classic of world cinema, which is highly entertaining and deeply moving. The film is Truffaut's semi-autobiographical account of troubled adolescense. It follows the events in the life of Antoine Doinel (Truffauts alter ego in 4 further films) whose difficult relationship with his parents lead him to rebel - playing truant from school, stealing and lying. The film is told in what was then a relatively novel naturalistic style, which still gives the film a more realistic appearance of capturing life rather than simply staged drama.

Childhood in Black and White

The story of a boy's journey from a cramped Paris apartment home to his escape from reform school. An unspectacular premise for a film but by observing adolescence in a calm unsentimental way, and by beautiful use of simple cinematic techniques Truffaut's first feature adds up to something wonderful . Famously the film that inspired Miramax Harvey Weinstein's love of cinema (He allegedly thought it was foreign porno when he bought a ticket)This is a marvellous hour and a half.

good

This is a great little film that is a pleasure to watch. I often hear of many people saying this is their favourite film of all time. Well, it's nowhere near that for me, but it tells a very pleasant and exciting story about a young boy searching for more than the tedium of school can offer. I think we can all find something to relate to in the story of the child- and you'll find yourself feeling sympathetic to his cause.

Truffaut paints a beautiful picture of France and makes a film that can be enjoyed effortlessly- often showing signs of the genius that we're told of, but I would like to think this isn't his best work (i'm new to his films, so i'm hoping to find better.. because this isn't quite enough to warrant his legendary status, in my opinion)

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!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Difficult for me to get into

Interestingly I'd been having a conversation with a more knowledgeable film fan than myself about this and how we both viewed it completely differently. I'm not the best person at getting into films where children are the central character(s) and this was one of those films. Focussing on a child, who I would have said is relatively unloved I found this to be not quite as warm as I was expecting. It was very interesting to watch and the thoughts that followed provoke interesting debate. Upon reflection although I couldn't warm to the characters of Jules Et Jim I preferred that as it challenged my way of thinking more than this.

Truffaut's brilliance

THis is a rather brilliant film, and I would rank it as Truffaut's second best after Jules et Jim. The story is of a young boy, who owing to the suffering he experiences at home, turns to crime. His parents, unable to deal with him effectively, hand him over to the police. His situation gets from bad to worse.

THis is in many ways similar to Jules et Jim, perhaps more than any other Truffaut film, though it perhaps lacks that tenderness which is such an inherent part of the script of the latter. It is nevertheless deeply moving. Rather reminiscent of Au bout de souffle.