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Special Features
New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Two audio commentaries: one by cinema professor Brian Stonehill and another by François Truffaut s lifelong friend Robert Lachenay
Rare audition footage of Jean-Pierre Léaud, Patrick Auffay, and Richard Kanayan
Newsreel footage of Léaud in Cannes for the showing of The 400 Blows
Excerpt from a TV program in which Truffaut discusses his youth, his critical writings, and the origins of Antoine
TV interview with Truffaut about the global reception of The 400 Blows and his own critical impression of the film
Theatrical trailer
PLUS: An essay by film scholar Annette Insdorf
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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
Product 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
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The most heart-felt movie I've ever seen is a powerful mix of sharp-eye, hardhitting autobiographical remembrance of a nearly bruised childhood and a celebration of the wide-open, spontaneous and lyrical qualities of cinema to capture pointed truths of family, school and street lives as seen through the curiously haunted eyes of one Antoine Doinel, a modern-day Dickensian hero in a decidedly unglamours Paris, searching, often wrongheadly, for love and acceptance while, almost against himself, challenging the authorial rules imposed on children growing up in conformist post-WWII France. The film's tone is one of anguished bittersweetness and quiet defiance, counterpointed by bursts of joyful freedom and naughty prank playings as shared by many in their pre-adolescenthood. Doniel's friendship with the well-off but neglected Rene is also among the most moving portraits of childhood friendship ever. An unforgettable portrait, a cutting social study, a New Wave classic and Truffaut's best, but most importantly a timeless and univsersal "true" story. And yes, the last freeze, when it comes, is a stunner. Gosh, I just love it! (P.S., this relatively small and quiet masterpiece also happens to be the all-time favorite film of John Woo, imagine!)
85 of 95 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've spent decades avoiding THE 400 BLOWS, afraid it was either dark and brooding, or a documentation of child abuse (physical and/or emotional), or an angry and vindictive assault on the authors' of Francois Truffaut's traumatic childhood.
I shouldn't have worried. THE 400 BLOWS is a gentle and compassionate movie. It isn't overwhelmed by its anger, although a few characters, particularly the coming-of-age hero's mother and his school teacher, aren't terribly sympathetic. Being new to THE 400 BLOWS, I found the commentary by Premiere magazine film critic Glen Kenny especially helpful in understanding French New Wave cinema in general and Truffaut in particular. By the way, according to Kenny "400 blows" refers to a French colloquialism similar to the American "paint the town red." It means to give oneself over to every type of excess, and raise a little heck in the process.
I shouldn't have worried. THE 400 BLOWS is a gentle and compassionate movie. It isn't overwhelmed by its anger, although a few characters, particularly the coming-of-age hero's mother and his school teacher, aren't terribly sympathetic. Being new to THE 400 BLOWS, I found the commentary by Premiere magazine film critic Glen Kenny especially helpful in understanding French New Wave cinema in general and Truffaut in particular. By the way, according to Kenny "400 blows" refers to a French colloquialism similar to the American "paint the town red." It means to give oneself over to every type of excess, and raise a little heck in the process.
34 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
However, if you are a fan of this entire film series by Truffaut, then you should spring for the Adventures of Antoine Doinel boxed set. It comes with all the extras found on this disc, plus a bonus disc which features excerpts from a 1961 documentary on Truffaut, which touches on this film, and a promotional art gallery for this film. Neither of these bonus features are found on this disc, nor is the bonus short film, Antoine and Colette, which is on the 400 Blows' disc in the boxed set. Great if you only want this movie, but I'd pay the extra dough as it's well worth it to have the entire Criterion boxed set, which is loaded with extras covering all the other films.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Early French New Wave gem
Francois Truffaut makes his directorial debut with this excellent semi-autobiographical film about a troubled boy growing up in Paris. Read more
Published 18 days ago by M. Oleson
Another boring, exasperating director autobiographies
European directors assume that everyone wants to know how they got started to become such creative geniuses. Read more
Published 21 days ago by rwx
Despite my dislike of central character, simply too many good things...
Antoine Doniel is a juvenile delinquent. He disrespects his teachers, lies even when the truth might suit him, deceives his parents, cuts class and is generally a trouble-maker. Read more
Published 3 months ago by RMurray847
A Earth Shattering Film full of Emotion.
The 400 Blows has always been on my "list of movies to see" for at least the past year. Finally, I bought it around the holiday season, but didn't have much time to watch it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John
modern cinema
What Truffaut accomplishes in 400 Blows has never been re-created by him or any other filmmaker that I am aware. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Peter Andronas
This is it??
THE 400 BLOWS (originally LES QUATRE CENTS COUPS, 1959) is always hailed as a tour-de-force by Francois Truffaut. Read more
Published 7 months ago by E. Hernandez
The 400 blows
I demand that a film express either the joy of making cinema or the agony of making cinema. I am not at all interested in anything in between. Read more
Published 8 months ago by A kids review
A Classic. No Question About It.
Viewed: 3/06
Rate: 9
3/06: The 400 Blows is a very appealing French cinema about the life of a juvenile delinquent. Read more
Rate: 9
3/06: The 400 Blows is a very appealing French cinema about the life of a juvenile delinquent. Read more
Published 8 months ago by John Doe
Who cares?
I suppose this is a great movie, since everyone says it is. I found it to be filled with unpleasant people (adults and children), not a single one of whom I found interesting. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Scadhog
Dehumanizing to be non-threatening
Despite the year this film was made, I believe the issues it addresses remain exceedingly current. I think it is somewhat of a synecdoche of what society at large instills in... Read more
Published 12 months ago by PsyRC
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