The 400 Blows

1959

1h 39m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

2.2K

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99+ Images

Drama

For young Parisian boy Antoine Doinel, life is one difficult situation after another. Surrounded by inconsiderate adults, including his neglectful parents, Antoine spends his days with his best friend, Rene, 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.

Directors

François Truffaut

Writers

François Truffaut(adaptation by)

Marcel Moussy(dialogue by)

Marcel Moussy(adaptation by)

Stars

Jean-Pierre Léaud

Claire Maurier

Albert Rémy

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Videos4

Photos151

Top cast

Antoine Doinel

Gilberte Doinel

Julien Doinel

Mr. Bigey

René

Director of the school

Mme Bigey

English Teacher

French Teacher

Betrand Mauricet

Child

Child

Child

Child

Child

Child

Jean-François Bergouignan

Child

Michel Lesignor

Child

Directors

François Truffaut

Writers

François Truffaut(adaptation by)

Marcel Moussy(dialogue by)

Marcel Moussy(adaptation by)

All cast & crew

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Review

Featured review

7/10

Jean-Pierre Léaud is super in this story of a troubled young lad who goes from having troubles at school to petty crime, all under the not so very watchful gazes of his adulteress mother (Claire Maurier) and happy-go-lucky father (Albert Rémy) who spend most of their time squabbling with each other. When his antics finally attract the attention of the police, they decide that maybe some time in juvenile detention might not do him any harm so off he goes - but he is not there for long! It's an episodic story that raises laughs and heckles in equal measure. You cannot help but like this tearaway. It's not so much that he wants attention (though he certainly does), it is that he is has initiative. He is bored; bored of his constantly rowing parents, of the teachers who don't really care about him. He is mischievous, he likes having fun - especially with his pal "René" (Patrick Auffay) with whom he has a few escapades and even lives for a short time. Theft is a serious matter but somehow when he pinches a typewriter from his dad's office - one that doesn't work, by the way, it has to make you smile. The ending features one of these scenes from a film that you will never forget. It is simple, and it's that simplicity coupled with this young boy's charming and enthusiastic performance that makes this film memorable, enjoyable and probably my favourite from François Truffaut.

Geronimo196724 Feb, 2023