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The 400 Blows

Crime, Drama

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating5.0

DirectorFrançois Truffaut

ProducerFrançois Truffaut

ScreenwriterFrançois Truffaut, François Truffaut, Marcel Moussy

DistributorCriterion Collection

Release Date DateNov 16, 1959, Wide

LanguageFrench (France)

Runtime1h 33m

Introduction

For young Parisian boy Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), life is one difficult situation after another. Surrounded by inconsiderate adults, including his neglectful parents (Claire Maurier, Albert Remy), Antoine spends his days with his best friend, Rene (Patrick Auffray), trying to plan for a better life. When one of their schemes goes awry, Antoine ends up in trouble with the law, leading to even more conflicts with unsympathetic authority figures.

Critics Reviews

Kathleen Sachs4.6

499

Feb 11, 2023
Jean-Pierre Léaud’s revelatory turn as Antoine Doinel in 'The 400 Blows' is nothing short of extraordinary. The film masterfully depicts the struggles of a young Parisian boy surrounded by neglectful and inconsiderate adults. Antoine's quest for a better life alongside his best friend Rene leads him into a series of unfortunate events, culminating in legal troubles. The portrayal of Antoine's turbulent relationship with unsympathetic authority figures is both poignant and thought-provoking. The film’s raw and realistic representation of a troubled youth’s life makes it a timeless classic, and Léaud's performance remains a highlight in cinematic history.

Peter Bradshaw5

368

Jan 6, 2022
"The 400 Blows" poignantly captures the struggles of young Antoine Doinel, a Parisian boy navigating a world filled with indifferent adults and unsympathetic authority figures. Jean-Pierre Léaud delivers a compelling performance as Antoine, whose attempts to escape his harsh reality with his friend Rene only lead to more trouble. Director François Truffaut masterfully depicts this portrait of an artist as an unhappy child, providing a gripping and emotive glimpse into the harshness of youth. The film's raw honesty and heartfelt narrative make it a timeless classic, resonating deeply with anyone who has ever felt misunderstood or neglected.
The 400 Blows
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