A young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.
Director:
François Truffaut
Popularity
4,488
( 2,195)
Related lists from IMDb users
Title: The 400 Blows (1959)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jean-Pierre Léaud | ... | Antoine Doinel | |
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Claire Maurier | ... | Gilberte Doinel - la mère d'Antoine |
| Albert Rémy | ... | Julien Doinel | |
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Guy Decomble | ... | 'Petite Feuille', the French teacher |
| Georges Flamant | ... | Mr. Bigey | |
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Patrick Auffay | ... | René |
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Daniel Couturier | ... | Betrand Mauricet |
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François Nocher | ... | Un enfant / Child |
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Richard Kanayan | ... | Un enfant / Child |
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Renaud Fontanarosa | ... | Un enfant / Child |
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Michel Girard | ... | Un enfant / Child |
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Serge Moati | ... | Un enfant / Child (as Henry Moati) |
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Bernard Abbou | ... | Un enfant / Child |
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Jean-François Bergouignan | ... | Un enfant / Child |
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Michel Lesignor | ... | Un enfant / Child |
Seemingly in constant trouble at school, 14-year-old Antoine Doinel returns at the end of every day to a drab, unhappy home life. His parents have little money and he sleeps on a couch that's been pushed into the kitchen. His parents bicker constantly and he knows his mother is having an affair. He decides to skip school and begins a downward spiral of lies and theft. His parents are at their wits' end, and after he's stopped by the police, they decide the best thing would be to let Antoine face the consequences. He's sent to a juvenile detention facility where he doesn't do much better. He does manage to escape however. Written by garykmcd
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.