The 400 Blows

Starring:Bernard Abbou, Luc Andrieux, Patrick Auffay, Robert Beauvais, Jean-FranÃ§ois Bergouignan, Bouchon, Christian Brocard, Daniel Couturier, Guy Decomble, Georges Flamant, Renaud Fontanarosa, Michel Girard, Richard Kanayan, Michel Lesignor, Jean-Pierre LÃ©aud, Claire Maurier, Henry Moati, FranÃ§ois Nocher, Albert RÃ©my, FranÃ§ois Truffaut
Director: FranÃ§ois Truffaut
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

The knowing yet innocent face of Jean-Pierre Leaud, the 14-year-old star of The 400 Blows, is the heartbreaking core of Francois Truffaut's most intimate film. As Antoine Doinel, Leaud begins his career as director Truffaut's alter-ego, a young boy neglected by his mother and stepfather who, to cover his absence at school, tells a lie that leads him to run away from home and end up in reform school. There's nothing remarkable or surprising about the plot; the power of this film comes from how completely it draws you into Antoine's life. Antoine is a vivid, natural presence, one of the most compelling collaborations between a writer/director and an actor. The movie seems to capture him as he lives. Antoine endures his parent's indifference, humiliations at school, deprivation and juvenile delinquency--yet the movie never feels pitying or condescending, as if it were trying to rub your nose in Antoine's suffering. On the contrary: His resilience is what grabs you, his refusal to be broken down as he struggles towards a more adult understanding of the world. Truffaut and Leaud made many excellent films together (Day for Night, Two English Girls), including further chapters in Antoine's life (Bed and Board, Stolen Kisses), but none were quite as simple, rich, and devastatingly potent as The 400 Blows. (The title, incidentally, refers not to abuse or anything sexual, but is a French idiom for a wild and unruly youth or "raising hell.") --Bret Fetzer

Description

Francois Truffaut's first and most personal feature film, told from the perspective of the director's lifelong cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel. Sensitively recreating the trials of Truffaut's own childhood, The 400 Blows unsentimentally portrays aloof parents, oppressive teachers, petty crime, and a friendship that would last a lifetime. Available after a long absence as a single-disc release.

Customer Reviews:

The 400 Blows.......2007-06-26

The first feature by writer-director François Truffaut, "Blows" is an early, timeless classic of the French New Wave, released the same year as Godard¹s "Breathless." Drawing on his own life experience as a truant and petty thief, Truffaut created a lyrical, poignant story of innocence and injustice featuring the astonishingly expressive Jean-Pierre Léaud. "Blows" not only helped change the face of film--especially with its documentary-like feel for Parisian street life and a wrenching, poetically ambivalent final image--it also became the gold standard for all tales of youthful misery.

The quiet pain of childhood.......2007-06-12

Truffaut's first is a masterful and highly personal re-creation of childhood. Antoine is perhaps 12--on the brink of maturity but still a child. He is troubled--he engages in petty theft, and gets into minor trouble at school. Slowly the picture at home emerges. He was unwanted, his pretty mother is bored, his step-father kind but easily exasperated. The black and white film reminds us that WWII was a mere 15 years in the past--pre-war Paris has survived, but life is a struggle.

Made almost 50 years ago, the film was a sensation when it was released. The camera angles are startling--we follow a troop of children from above as an oblivious physical fitness instructor trots along and boys peel away until no one is left. One of my favorite scenes is of a Punch and Judy show--Truffaut focuses on the faces of children laughing, rapt, scared--so close up and yet so natural, a reminder of a long ago time when puppets were a treat.

This is a sad film. Antoine's quiet pain grows on us, as we see him shunted through what passed for a child welfare system at the time. The ending is enigmatic; I still can't tell if we were meant to see hope or desperation. You may find the film slow-moving at first--I did. But stick with it, not for the plot but the beauty of it.

Meh........2007-05-27

The 400 Blows (Francois Truffaut, 1959)

Francois Truffaut's The 400 Blows is not at all what I expected, and I'm still not quite sure what to make of it weeks after I first saw it. It is obviously a very good film, as its slate of awards and rash of critical acclaim attest, but I think perhaps I was led by all that hype to expect something more than I actually got.

The story follows Antione (Jean-Pierre Leaud), a bored, disaffected ten-year-old whose life gradually descends into petty crime. Despite his ineptness at his chosen profession-- he is continually being caught, scolded, reprimanded, spending the night in jail, etc.-- his irrepressible good humor and sense that none of it really matters in the grander scheme of things makes him an engaging subject. The film's autobiographical nature gives it a realism not often seen in films like this, and the end result is quite good; Truffaut obviously knows what he's doing behind a camera. Still, I wasn't completely bowled over with it, as I have been with a number of the pictures I've seen from the They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? Top 100. ***

Milk on a cold winter night........2007-05-26

Having watched several Jean-Luc Godard films of late, I decided that it was time that I try a film by one of the other founders of the French New Wave movement: François Truffaut. I have only watched two of Truffaut's films so far, but from what I have seen I know that I enjoy his films more so than Godard's. As I have stated in other reviews, I have a great respect for Godard for his innovations in cinema and his strong leftist political grounding, but as for enjoying films, I would prefer any day to sit down and watch one of Truffaut's.

Truffaut was only twenty-seven years old when he directed 400 Blows, but in his capable hands he was able to craft a film, along with Godard's Breathless, that would act as a foundation for films within the New Wave movement. Staring Jean-Pierre Léaud as Antoine Doinel, 400 Blows follows the daily life of this character Living with his vindictive mother and cuckolded stepfather, Antoine lives amongst constant fighting and near poverty. School is not much better because Antoine is often the victim of his French Language teacher who seems to dislike the young man very much. However, this does not mean that Antoine is a perfect angel himself. He steals from his parents and classmates, smokes, and often skips school. However, these little escapades do not earn him much attention from his parents who seem to be more interested in their own affairs than those of their child. They seem more willing to be rid of him than to actually have to deal with the situation themselves, however, can their indifference continue as Antoine delves further into crime.

At the time I first rented this film a few months ago I had no idea that the character of Antoine Doinel would continue to make appearances in Truffaut's films for twenty years to come. I definitely look forward to watching these films. The movie itself might seem boring to some because for the most part it delves into mundane Parisian life, but this was apparently one of Truffaut's aims to make a realistic film as possible, it is also said that this film is a bit autobiographical. However, there are some truly stunning scenes within the film as well. The scene in which Doinel steals the milk is one of the most perfect scenes of desperation that I have ever seen on film. The final shot is considered to be one of the top stills in cinematic history. Highly recommended film.

not such a great "remastering".......2007-05-09

For years I had to subsist on an inferior-quality video of "The 400 Blows" and thought Fortune had finally smiled upon me when this DVD was released.

Alas! Two gripes:

Your options for tailoring the presentation to suit your needs are limited. You can have the sound on French with no subtitles or with English subtitles, but that's about it. There are no subtitles in French or in any other language besides English, and as for the audio tracks, the only other one besides the French is the running Truffaut appreciation by Robert Lachenay, a close friend of Truffaut (done in English).

The lack of French subtitles really grates on me, because I'm quite good at French (thank you very much), but not quite so good that I can follow every word of these urchins' slang. Hence I would appreciate some French subtitles to help bridge the gap when my French isn't up to snuff. No such luck. So now I'm stuck with a whole bunch of distracting English, most of which I don't need.

The subtitles are in white, with little black borders around the letters. There are no problems with visibility (as in my previous VHS copy), because the subtitles are printed for the most part beneath the frame line (you're getting the widescreen edition here), although often subtitles do in fact obtrude onto the image itself.

Fortunately, the white of the subtitles is a much more blazing white than even the whitest of white images contained in the film. So at least you don't have that problem.

Also: although Criterion Collection has suggested that they have lovingly restored the print, I'm not bowled over. The picture is obviously much sharper and more detailed than the one you may have been used to on the VHS edition, but to my annoyance specks of dust can plainly be seen gettin' jiggy all over the print right up until the end of the movie. I'm surprised and disappointed that these were either not cleaned off or fixed digitally before they released this. Heads should roll!

The other mistake I made was not buying the boxed set of five Antoine Doinel films. Although "The 400 Blows" is certainly the most famous, anybody who gets into early Truffaut will inexorably be driven to the others, which I am sorry I do not possess. So I would suggest that if you're into this kind of thing, you head over to that page and purchase that deluxe edition instead (Amazon ASIN: B00008H2GR).

Francois Truffaut's Adventures of Antoine Doinel (The 400 Blows / Antoine & Collette / Stolen Kisses / Bed & Board / Love on the Run) - Criterion Collection

Average customer rating:

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Antoine And The Art Of MovieMaking
A Unique serie in the history of Cinema
François Truffaut -- Best director of all time.
Antoine Doinel Antoine Doinel Antoine Doinel Antoine Doinel

Francois Truffaut's Adventures of Antoine Doinel (The 400 Blows / Antoine & Collette / Stolen Kisses / Bed & Board / Love on the Run) - Criterion Collection
Starring: Francois Truffaut , and Jean-Pierre Léaud
Manufacturer: Home Vision Entertainment
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ASIN: B00008H2GR
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Amazon.com

The Adventures of Antoine Doinel captures François Truffaut's alter ego (played by Jean-Pierre Léaud) over the span of five films and 20 years. Truffaut's first feature was The 400 Blows (1959), in which Doinel is a boy who turns to petty crime in the face of neglect at home and hard times at a reform school. The film helped usher in the heady spirit of the French new wave and introduced the Doinel character. Poignant, exhilarating, and fun (there's a parade of cameo appearances from some of the essential icons and directors from the movement), this film is an important classic.

The second film to feature Doinel, "Antoine and Collette" (1962) was originally made for the omnibus film Love at Twenty but has outlived its companion shorts. As romantic and gently ironic as The 400 Blows is harsh and haunting, this modest 20-minute lark finds a teenage Antoine pursuing the lovely, lithe 20-year-old Colette (Marie-France Pisier) like a lovesick puppy. The comic sweetness of this episode sets the tone for all future Doinel films, and Léaud, who matured into the poster boy for the French new wave, displays the lanky charm and self-effacing egotism that propelled him through some of the greatest films of the next two decades.

Stolen Kisses (1968) opens with the now-grown Doinel sprung from military prison with a dishonorable discharge. He woos the perky but unresponsive object of his affections, Christine (Claude Jade), while he engages in a series of professions--hotel night watchman, private investigator, TV repairman--with mixed success and comic entanglements. But when he falls in love with the elegant wife of his client (Delphine Seyrig), Christine realizes she misses Antoine's persistence and clumsy passes, so she embarks on a seductive plan of her own.

Bed and Board (1970) finds Doinel married to Christine and still plugging away at odd jobs. He learns of his impending fatherhood, but then throws a monkey wrench into his new happiness when he becomes obsessed with a beautiful young Japanese woman (Hiroku Berghauer). Truffaut enlivens Doinel's courtyard apartment with the bustle and business of neighbors and pays homage to comic auteur Jacques Tati. However, he tempers the giddy screwball kookiness with a less forgiving disposition toward Antoine's passionate irresponsibility and emotional impulsiveness.

Love on the Run (1979) was Truffaut's last film in the series. Here, our compulsive liar and general scamp is found out time and time again, but, as the women of the film find, it's impossible to blame him entirely. The film stands on its own as a light comedy but carries much more resonance if watched in its proper place in the series.

Description

The release of François Truffaut's The 400 Blows (Les Quatre cents coups) in 1959 shook world cinema to its foundations. The now-classic portrait of troubled adolescence introduced a major new director in the cinematic landscape and was an inaugural gesture of the revolutionary French New Wave. But The 400 Blows did not only introduce the world to its precocious director—it also unveiled his indelible creation: Antoine Doinel. Initially patterned closely after Truffaut himself, the Doinel character (played by the irrepressible and iconic Jean-Pierre Léaud) reappeared in four subsequent films that knowingly portrayed his myriad frustrations and romantic entanglements from his stormy teens through marriage, children, divorce, and adulthood. With The Adventures of Antoine Doinel, Criterion is proud to present Truffaut's celebrated saga in its entirety: the feature films The 400 Blows, Stolen Kisses, Bed and Board, and Love on the Run, and the 1962 short subject, Antoine and Colette, in a special edition five-disc box set.

Customer Reviews:

Collector 'must have'.......2007-01-21

I was a bit concerned about paying the high price for films I've never seen before. But without a doubt I can only describe this series as "excellent." The caveat would be for those viewers expecting high drama.

I was surprised to learn Francois Truffaut was disappointed with Love on the Run as the finale to the adventures of Doinel. For the period in France, the series was befitting of family struggle post war reconstruction, and the new socialism of the 1970s. I also appreciate how French films seem to allow women to pursue the same sexual desires Hollywood likes to reserve for men.

Character Doinel is stuck, (which seems to have bothered Truffaut most,) but he gets away with what most men probably wish for -- being a silly prankster boy who ends up never having a shortage of women in his life as an adult.

As with many French 'people' films, this series is not for those who wouldn't appreciate the lifestyle and culture and storylines simply about 'average.' One could draw a comparison between what films were being produced in the USA during '59/'62 -- '79 to see the difference from being entertained (by John Wayne) to spying on a character's real life saga via story telling.

Antoine And The Art Of MovieMaking.......2006-10-02

For my money, "The Adventures of Antoine Doinel" might be my favorite Criterion release. Period. One of the reasons I respect Criterion (and not every choice is a slam dunk) is that it allows regular people to really learn about cinema. As someone who attended graduate school in film, I feel as if my education and appreciation has never waned due to the influx of great choices on DVD. The constant improvement of special features and supplemental material adds a new level to the movie going experience. This set alone has scores of pertinent interviews, commentaries, a short, promotional art and a 72 page book of contemporary essays and Truffault's own notes.

Now, I had seen "The 400 Blows" several times--but I had not been introduced to the other 4 films that represent the saga of Antoine Doinel. And like some other reviewers, I will not dissect each disc--but leave some overall impressions. "The 400 Blows" is considered one of Truffault's masterpieces--not only was it instrumental in initiating the French New Wave movement, it's just a great entertaining film!

And it doesn't stop there. Every film, to me, succeeded on the level of entertainment. Some people think that the later films are lesser works--and surely they are less significant on an individual basis than "The 400 Blows." But I loved them. Any one of them, taken out of context, is worth seeing--if for no other reason than entertainment value. There is much humor, sweetness, romance, and trouble to be had in the misadventures of Doinel.

Taken together, however, I think this set is a towering achievement! It's a real pleasure to spend 20 years with the same director, the same actor and the same character! You see how these components interact and evolve. How often do you get a chance to sit down and live a life with someone? By compiling the set together and watching it together--you are experience history. A good story and entertaining films, YES--but you are also growing and aging with a phenomenal director, his iconic antihero, and the film movement. The whole experience was magical and enthralling and I definitely recommend it to anyone who really loves film! KGHarris, 10/06.

A Unique serie in the history of Cinema.......2005-12-05

Antoine Doinel is filmed as a troubled child in 400 Blows, as an adolescent in Antoine & Colette, and as young man in love in Stolen Kisses, as married man an a father in Bead & Board and as a divorced, yet-trying-to-reconstruct-himself man in Love on the Run. The actor Jean-Pierre Leaud gets older during the films, still he is the same person, dealing with the same unresolved conflicts, defending the same values, entonating the same voice, 5, 10, 15, 20 years later ... as in real life. Each movie is a jewel on its own, however seeing the whole serie and getting the full, coherent picture is a unique exercise, as when you know a person from childhood from adulthood, you know what will happen, and it just happens.

François Truffaut -- Best director of all time........2005-03-29

In every way, shape, and form of moviemaking, Truffaut is the best. Best French director, best director, PERIOD! I wish Criterion would release all his films in bundled sets like this one.

This set includes what I feel is one of his best films, Stolen Kisses, which along with Jules and Jim (which is getting a Criterion release) and Day for Night (now out of print), round out my 3 best Truffaut.

Here is a breakdown of the Doinel movies in order of my preference:

Stolen Kisses: A truly original gem of a film, which can stand alone from the other 2 adult Doinel movies the best. Funny, intimate, beautifully filmed and acted. The scene in which he repeats his name "Antoine Doinel" over and over again is my favorite. Wooing women and muddling through a young man's life has never been captured better.

Bed and Board: Nice to see Doinel again, this time in a crisis over his marriage vs. a mistress. A nice view of this part of Doinel's life. Hard for Antoine to go through, but easy and fun for us to watch!

Antoine and Collette: A brilliant short film on the frustrations of teen love.

The 400 Blows: Original, daring, and brilliantly directed by Truffaut. It's just not as attention grabbing to me as his later stuff. A good start, but Truffaut was just warming up.

Love on the Run: The least of this bunch, but by no means a bad film. Very nice to see all the characters in Doinel's life return. A nice way to end the series.

This will be a must have for any Truffaut fan's collection, or any movie lover's for that matter!

Antoine Doinel Antoine Doinel Antoine Doinel Antoine Doinel.......2005-01-01

I happily added this to my basket after reading the enthusiastic reviews here. I'm disappointed by the later films in the set, which seem only to regurgitate the shenanigans of the character we know so well.

400 Blows is a masterpiece, that happens also to be very truthful and touching. While watching, few people could help being reminded of the difficult times they had as children. The world is much different now, of course, so the movie to an extent reads as a historical document.

Bed and Board is very enjoyable, as we see Antoine as a victim of the world who will now take his special sort of revenge. In Love on the Run and Stolen Kisses, he is more painful to watch. He is clearly on the run from life itself, and buries his sadness and loneliness under sex and generally being mischevious.

Partway through Stolen Kisses, I realized that the films after 400 Blows were little more than series of gags. In a special feature on the Bed and Board disc, "Truffaut and co-writer Bernard Revon reveal their methods for generating scripts and developing ideas." We watch two men coming up with gags, and asking eachother, "Do you think that's funny?" and, "Which of these gags is funnier?" The gags are somewhat amusing, but soon become predictable. In each, Doinel gets in trouble and must find a way to dig out of the hole. As he does so, we suffer through Léaud's small repertoire of facial expressions, hair touches, and arm movements. And oh that Parisian French!

The repetitiveness becomes extreme in Stolen Kisses. Large segments of the first three films are simply shown again, between the episodes of "current" action. Truffaut, in an interview on the Love on the Run disc, stated that he was not satisfied with this film, since it was not really a whole film. He was concerned that the experimental nature of the film was too obvious. Hm. I suppose the goal of the experiment was to save as much film negative as possible. A silly film, only interesting to those who love Antoine Doinel.

As mentioned, the first two films are well worth watching, but don't buy the set unless you're sure you want to enter the inane world of Antoine Doinel.

Average customer rating:

Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose
Real, Relentless, Harrowing
An Example of Truffaut's Early Genius
change is status of review of 400 Blows
Truffaut's outstanding debut

The 400 Blows
Starring: Bernard Abbou , Luc Andrieux , Patrick Auffay , Robert Beauvais , and Jean-François Bergouignan
Manufacturer: Fox Lorber
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 1572525320
Release Date: 1999-07-13

Amazon.com essential video

Francois Truffaut's first feature was this 1959 portrait of Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), a boy who turns to petty crime in the face of neglect at home and hard times at a reform school. Somewhat autobiographical for its director, the film helped usher in the heady spirit of the French New Wave, and introduced the Doinel character, who became a fixture in Truffaut's movies over the years. Poignant, exhilarating, and fun (there's a parade of cameo appearances from some of the essential icons and directors from the movement), this film is an important classic. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose.......2007-07-04

The first thing I noticed with this debut film by the great Francois Truffaut is that it is shot in wide-screen format. I later learned this was the first to be presented in that way, which immediately established the twenty-eight-year-old man amongst the greatest directors.
I have some difficulty grasping the title, 400 Blows. But I guess it is a French idiom for "hell raiser". The story launched a series of films about this boy, Antoine Doinel. This character is recognized as Truffaut's on-screen alter ego.
I think it is rare to see a more compelling, in-depth look at adolescence. Other movies might showcase some horrible childhood acts simply for shock value, but that's not the case here. This story moves along smoothly, with such a genuine feel.
The look at Antoine's home life will probably invoke some sympathy. He's almost treated as an afterthought by his mother. These neglected feelings might be the reason why he frequently tells lies. He also recieves harsh criticism from his school teacher, which can't help his self-esteem. He eventually turns to a life of petty crime.
In one scene, he needs an excuse for his absence after ditching school. He tells the teacher, in a solemn voice, "I'm sorry sir, my mother died".
You get the feeling that sometimes he might actually wish that.
At such a young age, Antoine is forced to do some soul searching and find his place in the world. It is a journey worth catching.

Real, Relentless, Harrowing.......2007-03-22

Few films seem to me more natural, less artificial, than this. City of God, although far more violent and horrific, comes to mind, as it is also shot in a near-documentary style, with young children and few professional actors. These films seem unremittingly honest, showing life the way it is, or the way it can be for some unlucky people. Ordinary film plots, with beginnings, middles and either happy or sad endings, are not realistic. They are attempts to make sense of life, but life isn't like that. In fact, like somebody said, life is just one damn thing after another; and so it is in this memorable movie. A child can only have a series of experiences, and doesn't know enough to make considered judgements or take balanced decisions. This movie takes the child's point of view.

Some of the reviewers here seem to have been watching a different movie. Fun ? Manipulative ? I just don't get it.

An Example of Truffaut's Early Genius.......2006-05-18

THE FOUR HUNDRED BLOWS is French director Francois Truffaut's first full length film and his first film of the cinematic movement known as the New Wave. It's a far more complex film than its simple plot would suggest which is why the film has such a powerful impact. Twelve year old Antoine seems to be a typical of a boy his age, but finds himself getting into trouble. We assume it will be mischief, but learn he has no real anchors to keep the mischief from getting more serious. His home life is unstable though from the outside it would appear he has doting and dedicated parents. There are also his teachers who seem to notice his infractions but none seem to get close enough to reach him. It is only later in the film where we realize the effects of the negligence and hurt on Antoine. Though the film concludes, we do not feel that the story is over. We want to know what happens to Antoine. Fortunately there are four other films with the character of Antoine Doinel all performed by Jean-Pierre Leaud so the viewer can once again become immersed in the ups and downs of Antoine's life.

The film was critically acclaimed when it was shown at Cannes and Truffaut won awards for his direction and an award for best Catholic film (though the film is not based on a religious theme nor doe sit have specific Catholic references). We get a sense that something new is happening in this film, and we see the genius that will later be associated with Truffaut. The film is set in Paris and throughout we get a glimpse of typical Parisian life. The background music is somewhat basic with a 1950's Jazz like feel, but it is used effectively. Its' remorseful when the situation calls for it, but it is light and airy when Antoine is experiencing the adventures of childhood. The acting is superb, particularly Jean Pierre Leaud as Antoine and Patrick Aufay as his friend Rene. Other members of the cast include Albert Remy and Claire Maurier as Antoine's patents and Guy Ducomble as one of film's most uninspired teachers.

change is status of review of 400 Blows.......2006-05-07

I finally figured out how to manipulate the remote and menu to get the film to play without the commentary. Very good after you master this. I would now rate it as a 5.
Mark Wagstaff

Truffaut's outstanding debut.......2006-01-28

Francois Truffaut's mastery of the Parisian backdrop is one of his most appealing qualities and also one of the talents that helped him become such a cornerstone of French cinema. From the opening shots of 'Les Quatres-Cent Coups' (The Four-Hundred Blows), we are shown some of the sights and sounds of this historic city, that forms the colourful backdrop to the dubious adventures of Antoine Doinel.

It is said that this film is heavily autobiographical and that the child actor Jean-Pierre Leaud was chosen because of his physical resemblance to Truffaut as a child. This is unsurprising given the sympathetic and almost paternal way in which Truffaut treats his protagonist. He is what many of the adults around him would see as a troublesome little brat. However in reality he is just a child who feels alienated from his surroundings. With a lack of love and attention both at home and at school, he feels a longing to escape to something else, even at this young age.

It is testament to Truffaut's ability as a film maker that he is able to portray the existence of a troubled child, without the slightest hint of condescension or stereotype. This would also further the ideas of the films autobiographical underpinnings. Truffaut presents Antoine's youthful curiosity as something to be cherished and not repressed by anyone, be they parents teachers or his military academy.

This encapsulating film of the childhood of Antoine Doinel is one of the most beautifully shot in the history of French cinema and indicates the arrival of one of Europe's most talented and important directors.

Average customer rating:

Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose
Real, Relentless, Harrowing
An Example of Truffaut's Early Genius
change is status of review of 400 Blows
Truffaut's outstanding debut

The 400 Blows - Criterion Collection
Starring: Bernard Abbou , Luc Andrieux , Patrick Auffay , Robert Beauvais , and Jean-François Bergouignan
Manufacturer: Criterion Collection
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Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0780020731
Release Date: 1998-03-31

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Description

Released in 1959, François Truffaut's first feature, The 400 Blows (Les Quatre cents coups), is also his most personal. Based on his own stormy childhood, The 400 Blows unsentimentally portrays aloof parents, oppressive teachers, petty crime, and a friendship that would last a lifetime. The film marks Truffaut's passage from leading critic of the French New Wave to his emergence as one of Europe's most brilliant auteurs.

Customer Reviews:

Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose.......2007-07-04

Real, Relentless, Harrowing.......2007-03-22

An Example of Truffaut's Early Genius.......2006-05-18

change is status of review of 400 Blows.......2006-05-07

I finally figured out how to manipulate the remote and menu to get the film to play without the commentary. Very good after you master this. I would now rate it as a 5.
Mark Wagstaff

Truffaut's outstanding debut.......2006-01-28

Les 400 Coups (Original French Version with English Subtitles)

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Les 400 Coups (Original French Version with English Subtitles)

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Breathless
Small Change
Baisers Voles (Original French Version with English Subtitles)
Masculin Feminin - Criterion Collection
Jules and Jim - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000BONWE6

Product Description

Antoine Doinel is a 14 year old Parisian. His parents do not show much interest in him. He skips school to go to the movies and play with his friends. He discovers his mother has a lover. Antoine steals a typewriter, which leads to his suspension from school.

Average customer rating:

Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose
Real, Relentless, Harrowing
An Example of Truffaut's Early Genius
change is status of review of 400 Blows
Truffaut's outstanding debut

The 400 Blows
Starring: Bernard Abbou , Luc Andrieux , Patrick Auffay , Robert Beauvais , and Jean-François Bergouignan
Director: Truffaut, François
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Breathless
Jules and Jim - Criterion Collection
8 1/2 - Criterion Collection
Bicycle Thieves (Criterion Collection)
L'Avventura - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B00000FYLE
Release Date: 1998-04-01

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose.......2007-07-04

Real, Relentless, Harrowing.......2007-03-22

An Example of Truffaut's Early Genius.......2006-05-18

change is status of review of 400 Blows.......2006-05-07

I finally figured out how to manipulate the remote and menu to get the film to play without the commentary. Very good after you master this. I would now rate it as a 5.
Mark Wagstaff

Truffaut's outstanding debut.......2006-01-28

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