The 400 Blows - Criterion Collection
by Fran?ois Truffaut
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Albert R?my, Claire Maurier, Georges Flamant, Guy Decomble, Jean-Pierre L?audDirector: Fran?ois Truffaut
Brand: Image Entertainment
Cinematographer: Henri Deca?
Producer: Fran?ois Truffaut
Writer: Fran?ois Truffaut
Editor: Marie-Jos?phe Yoyotte
Writer: Marcel Moussy
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-05-09
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Criterion
Movie Reviews of The 400 Blows - Criterion Collection
Movie Review: Great Blu-Ray version of a true classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is for the Blu-Ray edition.
The 400 Blows is directed by Francois Truffaut. The film stars Jean-Pierre L?aud, Claire Maurier, Albert R?my, 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.
Summary of The 400 Blows - Criterion Collection
Francois Truffaut's first and most personal feature film, told from the perspective of the director's lifelong cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel. Sensitively recreating the trials of Truffaut's own childhood, The 400 Blows unsentimentally portrays aloof parents, oppressive teachers, petty crime, and a friendship that would last a lifetime. Available after a long absence as a single-disc release.Francois Truffaut's first feature was this 1959 portrait of Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre L?aud), a boy who turns to petty crime in the face of neglect at home and hard times at a reform school. Somewhat autobiographical for its director, the film helped usher in the heady spirit of the French New Wave, and introduced the Doinel character, who became a fixture in Truffaut's movies over the years. Poignant, exhilarating, and fun (there's a parade of cameo appearances from some of the essential icons and directors from the movement), this film is an important classic. --Tom Keogh
The knowing yet innocent face of Jean-Pierre Leaud, the 14-year-old star of The 400 Blows, is the heartbreaking core of Francois Truffaut's most intimate film. As Antoine Doinel, Leaud begins his career as director Truffaut's alter-ego, a young boy neglected by his mother and stepfather who, to cover his absence at school, tells a lie that leads him to run away from home and end up in reform school. There's nothing remarkable or surprising about the plot; the power of this film comes from how completely it draws you into Antoine's life. Antoine is a vivid, natural presence, one of the most compelling collaborations between a writer/director and an actor. The movie seems to capture him as he lives. Antoine endures his parent's indifference, humiliations at school, deprivation and juvenile delinquency--yet the movie never feels pitying or condescending, as if it were trying to rub your nose in Antoine's suffering. On the contrary: His resilience is what grabs you, his refusal to be broken down as he struggles towards a more adult understanding of the world. Truffaut and Leaud made many excellent films together (Day for Night, Two English Girls), including further chapters in Antoine's life (Bed and Board, Stolen Kisses), but none were quite as simple, rich, and devastatingly potent as The 400 Blows. (The title, incidentally, refers not to abuse or anything sexual, but is a French idiom for a wild and unruly youth or "raising hell.") --Bret Fetzer
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