It took the world by storm in 1959. During a decade in which American films about troubled youth concentrated on dramatics and confrontation (Rebel Without a Cause, The Wild One), The 400 Blows took a more realistic approach. Unromantic, naturalistic and sometimes slow moving, there was no handwringing about the decline of society. Instead, the protagonist's fall from juvenile grace becomes a sad, small-time rebellion against the restrictions and responsibilities of growing up.

The 400 Blows has been considered one of the most important and influential French films since its debut. The film takes a highly sympathetic view of mild juvenile delinquency, putting the blame on selfish, uncaring parents and strict, humorless school teachers.

Of course, Antoine contributes to his problems through his own poor decisions. It is as if he wants to be caught and punished, to confirm his low self-esteem and to get the attention of his overtly hostile mother.

Truffaut began his career as a film critic, whose opinions were so harsh that he was banned from the Cannes film festival. The ban was lifted the very next year, when Truffaut won the prize for Best Director for The 400 Blows. The British Academy Awards named it the year's best film, and it received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Story and Screenplay.

The great critical success of The 400 Blows put Truffaut at the vanguard of the French 'new wave' of cinema. His position would soon be strengthened with Jules and Jim (1961). My favorite French film of this era, however, is Jacques Demy's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964).

The 400 Blows was the first feature film for Truffaut, and the first starring role for young Jean-Pierre Leaud. The film's title refers to a French figure of speech, meaning the maximum punishment that can be absorbed. Rumors are that it is also the future title of President Clinton's autobiography.

Leaud would continue in his role as Antoine in four more films for Truffaut, Love at Twenty (1962), Stolen Kisses (1968), Bed and Board (1970) and Love on the Run (1979). Truffaut would also direct Leaud in Two English Girls (1971) and Day for Night (1973). Truffaut died in 1984. (76/100)

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8