The 400 Blows is a French 1959 drama movie directed by Francois Truffaut presented on Blu-ray.
A coming-of-age tale to rival the very best, trailblazing auteur Francois Truffaut's The 400 Blows not only launched the Nouvelle Vogue, but paved the way for some of cinema's most important and influential directors. Lifted from Trufautt's own life experiences, as told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Antoine Doinel (Jean-Piere Léaud), The 400 Blows details the youngster's troubles at home and at school. Ignored and neglected by his parents, his relationship with his mother is further strained when he discovers that she has taken a secret lover. Added to this, his school teachers have written him off as a troublemaker and, with luck seemingly never on his side, it is Antoine who ends up getting the blame for bad behaviour. Finding refuge only in his love of cinema, Antoine soon finds it necessary to break free, and discover what the world can offer outside of the confines of his everyday life.
Special Features
- Les Mistons – François Truffaut's 1957 Short Film
- Original Theatrical Trailer
Awards
- Won Best Director – Francois Truffaut (Cannes Film Festival 1959)
- Won Best European Film – Francois Truffaut (Bodil Awards 1960)
- Nominated Best Film from any Source (BAFTA Awards 1961)
- Won 4 other awards
- Nominated for 3 other awards
The 400 Blows Movie Reviews
“One of the first glistening droplets of the French New Wave.” Time Out
“Distinguished by its intensity of feeling and freewheeling use of the wide-screen frame, the film ranks among Truffaut's best.” Chicago Reader
“Truffaut's ode to his childhood is an engrossing watch that is alluring in its simplicity and brilliant in its direction. It flows nicely at its own pace, never allowing melodrama to ruin its realistic and voyeuristic atmosphere.” Matt's Movie Reviews
“Truffault's masterpiece. Timeless and true, heartbreakingly sad.” Apollo Guide
“Henri Decae's black and white photography helped Truffaut enormously but what the director himself provides is a sense that though there is no easy answer to the problems of growing up, there is a hope that will never be wholly denied.” This is London
“Distinguished by its naturalistic, quasi-documentary approach and an extraordinary central performance from the 12-year-old Jean-Pierre Léaud, this is a blisteringly authentic story.” Times
Subtitled