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The 400 Blows (1959)
"Les quatre cents coups" (original title)

 -  Crime | Drama  -  16 November 1959 (USA)
8.1
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Ratings: 8.1/10 from 42,506 users  
Reviews: 151 user | 141 critic

Intensely touching story of a misunderstood young adolescent who left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.

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(scenario), (adaptation), 2 more credits »
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Top 250 #180 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Claire Maurier ...
Gilberte Doinel - la mère d'Antoine
Albert Rémy ...
Julien Doinel
Guy Decomble ...
'Petite Feuille', the French teacher
Georges Flamant ...
Mr. Bigey
Patrick Auffay ...
René
Daniel Couturier ...
Betrand Mauricet
François Nocher ...
Un enfant / Child
Richard Kanayan ...
Un enfant / Child
Renaud Fontanarosa ...
Un enfant / Child
Michel Girard ...
Un enfant / Child
Serge Moati ...
Un enfant / Child (as Henry Moati)
Bernard Abbou ...
Un enfant / Child
Jean-François Bergouignan ...
Un enfant / Child
Michel Lesignor ...
Un enfant / Child
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Storyline

A young Parisian boy, Antoine Doinel, neglected by his derelict parents, skips school, sneaks into movies, runs away from home, steals things, and tries (disastrously) to return them. Like most kids, he gets into more trouble for things he thinks are right than for his actual trespasses. Unlike most kids, he gets whacked with the big stick. He inhabits a Paris of dingy flats, seedy arcades, abandoned factories, and workaday streets, a city that seems big and full of possibilities only to a child's eye. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Angel faces hell-bent for violence. See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

16 November 1959 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The 400 Blows  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When Antoine's father finally nodded to the cinema business, realizing it is Rivette's "Paris nous appartient", he said: "Si c'est un complot..." And a 'complot' (conspiracy), really, is the central issue of the Rivette's film. See more »

Goofs

At the end of the movie, crew footprints can be seen in the sand on the beach. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Petite Feuille: Doinel, bring me that. Indeed! Go to the corner!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Sweet Sixteen (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

"Balzac"
Composed by Jean Costantin
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Great Filmmaking by a Great Filmmaker
1 October 1999 | by (Boston, MA) – See all my reviews

The Four Hundred Blows is the semi-autobiographical story of Antoine Doinel, a boy trapped in a life of contemtptuous authority who turns to outward rebellion. Truffaut shows his mastery of the cinema in this, his freshman attempt.

The film is perfectly cast with Dionel relaying neutral facial expressions for the majority of the film. The boy, although not necessarily evoking sympathy from the audience, definitely evokes empathy. He is a pathetic character forced into his position by his teacher and his almost uncaring mother.

Throughout the film, Truffaut hints at the possibility of a happy life for the protagonist, but just as soon as the ideal is given to us, it is taken away. The mood shifts in the film are fabulously orchestrated through contrasting scenes, music, and even acting. From the opening sequence through the final, enigmatic still shot, the movie is a masterpiece of both French and world cinema. It is a must see.


37 of 52 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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