The 400 Blows (The Criterion Collection)

This review is for the Blu-Ray edition.The 400 Blows is directed by Francois Truffaut. The film stars Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claire Maurier, Albert Rémy, and Guy Decomble.The 400 Blows is the first major film directed by Francois Truffaut, formerly a film critic known for his brutally-honest reviews. The film, based loosely on Truffaut's childhood, follows the story of Antoine Doinel, a young man in his early teens. His life is a mess - he's frequently getting into trouble in school, his parents fight all the time and are hard on him, he lives in a low-income household, and to make things even worse, discovers that his mother is having an affair with a co-worker. He tries to make ends meet, but nothing seems to work. The film is the story of this young man's struggle in society, and the consequences that befall him.Truffaut's first major feature film is also his finest. With the film he creates believable characters, and a true-to-life story that anyone who has ever been young will be able to relate to. The movie runs a brisk 100 minutes, and never outstays its welcome. Every second feels authentic.The characters and the actors who portray them make this film their own. The obvious stand-out actor his a young Jean-Pierre Leaud, who stars as Antoine Doinel. Truffaut created the character has a version of himself at a younger age, which may be the reason that director and actor alike are able to make this character so three-dimensional and be lievable. If you've ever been young, you'll be able to relate to Leaud in this role. Who amongst us hasn't hated a teacher in school, gotten in trouble, and been hollered out by our parents? And unlike other rebellious youngsters of the era captured on film, Antoine doesn't use violence to rebel, or talk back to his superiors. He wants to be free, but he obviously doesn't want to hurt or offend anyone in his life, which makes him all the more a sympathetic, tragic figure who learns the hard way that freedom isn't free.The 400 Blows won audiences over at Cannes way back in 1959. Half a century later, its message is as strong as ever. A brilliant piece of cinema that manages to be believable throughout its duration, it's no wonder Truffaut became hailed as one of France's finest filmmakers. With this film, he launched the French New Wave and hundreds of imitators. There's no denying it - this is one of the greatest films ever made.All in all, The 400 Blows looks pretty damn good in 1080p. This isn't a leaps-and-bounds improvement over Criterion's most recent standard-def disc, but there are noticeable improvements, and it definitely looks better on a large HDTV screen than the normal DVD does. The image is clear and detailed throughout (I was able to pick out details I couldn't see on SD and read some text that was unreadable on the original DVD), it definitely looks better than I expected for a film this old. My only complaint is that there are a few scenes in which the grain level tends to spike. However, this is a very minor complaint, and it certainly doesn't detract from enjoyment of the film. This isn't the best-looking black and white film I've seen on Blu (Casablanca still holds that honor), but it's definitely in the upper tier. Dialogue is presented in the original French Mono, and the track has been beautifully remastered and is free of any annoying pops or hisses. Needless to say, English subtitles are included. Criterion knows how to do faithful transfers right for classic films, and this Blu-Ray Disc is proof. Their transfer here has me looking forward to 1080p transfers of other vintage foreign/classic films.As if the gorgeous transfer wasn't good enough, Criterion has included plenty of bonus material as well .. In addition to the obligatory booklet the company includes with their releases (in this case it contains an essay, well worth reading), there are some interesting featurettes included on this disc. We get to see an interview with Jean-Pierre Leaud about his opinions of the film and acting, a French television program episode on film directors that focuses on Truffaut, as well as two commentaries and rare audition footage. When Criterion releases a movie, they almost always put out the definitive edition. This release of The 400 Blows proves that will be true for their Blu-Ray releases as well.The 400 Blows is that rare century-old movie whose message is as powerful today as it has ever been. With brilliant direction by Truffaut and a great performance from a young Jean-Pierre Le aud, this is the definitive film from the French New Wave. And once again, Criterion delivers the goods on Blu-Ray. One of the greatest films ever made with a great presentation on blu-ray, The 400 Blows gets my highest recommendation. If you only see one dramatic foreign-language film in your life, this is the one to see.

"a cause and form conjoined, preaching to stones would make them capable"The 400 Blows would seem to be an example when content and expression are perfectly matched to form a cinematic masterpiece. The story is arguably simple but very well told. Truffaut balances childhood/adulthood, innocence/corruption, cages and freedom without seeming didactic. Paris is a beauty to behold--the shots of the Parisian streets alone make this worth watching. Highly recommended--if the viewer is in the right mood, this can easily provoke tears.

I've avoided Truffaut for a long time but finally watched his first, and most famous, film. I wasn't riveted particularly, but by the end was more or less heartbroken for the boy. Very tough life. The parents were the absolute model of neglect and selfishness, particularly the mother, though the father wasn't far behind, all while looking perfectly respectable in the eyes of society. The school master was a bit sadistic, etc. The good old days, right? The opening scenes and score are really brilliant. The score throughout was interesting, at times really innovative. I'm not a big francophile, though I loved My Night At Maud's, about which I felt similarly. It wasn't until the last shots that I was totally sold on either film. Obviously different directors.

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. This is bad enough. What makes him a delinquent is the fact that he defaces school property, commits numerous acts of theft (and not just by sneaking money from his parents) and trespasses. He thumbs his nose at all authority.Because Antoine is the hero of Francois Truffaut's semi-autobiographical first film THE 400 BLOWS, we are apparently supposed to forgive all that. After all, he's got the soul of an artist...he lights up when watching movies and perhaps has an insight into them beyond his years. His parents did not show him significant enough amounts of love. So it's okay that he can't follow the simplest rule, or even care to try. He does what feels good to him, regardless of who it inconveniences or hurts.On its surface (and below much of the surface too), THE 400 BLOWS is a film with an utterly unlikable central character. I give the kid no credit for being a "misunderstood artist." He's clearly excited by what he reads when he first encounters Balzac, but rather than taking inspiration from the word, he plagiarizes it for a homework assignment. Word for word. So for me, an appreciator of arts and artists...Antoine is a snot-nosed kid who needs a comeuppance.THE 400 BLOWS is set in `50s France, and was on the leading edge of the French New Wave in film. I'll readily admit I know little about those films, and the more I read about the socialist ideology of many of its purveyors, the less I care to know. It is all filmed on location, with many fantastic shots of this marvelous city. Paris is as much a character as Antoine's mother or father. The gorgeous black and white exterior shots are a treat. The viewer really gets a sense of being immersed in a primarily lower middle class city. The film is very briskly paced, even as relatively little of real consequence happens. Although the film is primarily a slice-of-life drama, it is full of funny moments, characters and vignettes. I greatly appreciated its breezy tone and the naturalistic filming approach. While it's too self-consciously a movie to have a documentary feel to it...I did appreciate the clearly improvisational nature of many of the scenes.And, while I dislike the central character, I really liked the remarkable young actor Jean-Pierre Leaud who played him. He's got a soulful face, and filmed right on the edge of his teen years, he's got a cherubic affect to go along with his far more mature misbehaviors. I never rooted for the character, per se...but I couldn't help smiling at his many malfeasances, even as he exasperated me. He has an attractive mother who clearly isn't enamored of being a mom (and has a few more secrets I won't spoil), but for much of the film, I also appreciated that he had a gruff but remarkably patient and understanding father. The father clearly understood that Antoine was a source of irrational irritation on the part of his mother, and worked hard to shield the child, even when his own temper was tested. I found his character to be interestingly complex. And he too has some secrets. Other characters, such as the schoolteacher, teeter too close to caricature. Yes, he's an awful teacher. But given what teaching was like in those days, is he deserving of the utter derision Antoine pours on him?I know for some, THE 400 BLOWS is some sort of testament to either the miseries of being a misunderstood "artist's soul." For others, it's a statement on how too little love can damage a kid. Or the harshness of society, etc. etc. I find any messages like that to be unconvincing and delivered with too heavy a hand. However, the fast pace, gorgeous cinematography, lovely locations, generally solid acting and generous doses of humor to make this a film worth recommending despite my hesitations.I viewed the Criterion Blu-ray, and must say that the bonus materials are particularly fun. There are numerous interviews over the years with Truffaut...who is a lively subject. And there are some great shots of young Leaud as he auditioned for his role, and during interviews while making the rounds at Cannes. He's an interesting person to learn about. The bonus essay was a bit skimpier than I'm used to with Criterion, but worthwhile nonetheless. Once again, Criterion has done an exceptional job. THE 400 BLOWS is an important movie in film history, and Criterion has given it an appropriate showcase.

This beats the pants of my Tartan DVD reissue of the same film which, although claiming to be digitally remastered, is quite grotty and flecky by comparison with heavy handed subtitles (visually not quality of translation). I played it just to evaluate the quality of the restoration on bluray and was so captivated I ended up watching it again - even though I'd only just rewatched the Tartan version a few days earlier. Thoroughly recommended. Just need to see if I can get my family to watch it with me next time!

Package arrived a little damage, but that's not what I'm reviewing. Wonderful film in a wonderful little package.

bonsoir a amazon je viens de commander 2 DVD du film (les 400 coups déçu pas par le film) mais par le descriptif qui annonce l'age du garçon de 12 ans alors que sur le DVD il en a 14 il n'y a pas non plus la mort de ses parents sur les deux DVD que j'ai reçu j'aimerais bien avoir le bon film mais je ne sais plus lequel commandé car le descriptif est pareil pour tous ce n'est pas méchant du tout ma remarque ne vous mets pas en faute les descriptif arrive sans que vous les voyait cela n'est pas un gros reproche car je vous fais des commandes et donc je ne voudrais pas que cela soit interprété méchamment je vous demande simplement je désire recommander le DVD mais le bon pourriez-vous me l'indiquer les acheteurs qui ont été content de l'article merci beaucoup pour l'aide que je pourrais avoir moi le DVD que j'ai c'est celui ou il y a des chaises ,des tables,écrit les 400 coups en jaunes a cote de la tête de l'enfant voila je remercie tout le monde et a une réponse positive amicalement.

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