About The 400 Blows

The 400 Blows, originally "Les Quatre Cents Coups," is a French drama film released in 1959. The film, one of the defining films of the French New Wave, was directed by François Truffaut. The story revolves around the adolescent life of Antoine Doinel (played by Jean-Pierre Léaud), a neglected and misunderstood Parisian teenager who turns to a life of petty crime.

Making / Production

The film is semi-autobiographical, based on the director's own experiences. It is the first in a series of five films featuring the character of Antoine. The title is derived from the French idiom "faire les quatre cents coups," meaning "to raise hell."

Actors

• Jean-Pierre Léaud as Antoine Doinel. A significant figure of the French New Wave, Léaud brought to life the troubled, introspective, and rebellious character of Antoine, with a remarkable sense of authenticity and emotion.
• Claire Maurier as Gilberte Doinel, Antoine's mother. Maurier portrays the complex character of the indifferent and neglectful mother.
• Albert Rémy as Julien Doinel, Antoine's stepfather. Rémy perfectly delivers the character of a seemingly caring but ultimately self-involved stepfather.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is semi-autobiographical. Truffaut relied heavily on his own experiences as a troubled youth for inspiration.
• The title of the film comes from a French idiom, which means "to raise hell".
• The 400 Blows was Jean-Pierre Léaud's debut film.

Awards

The 400 Blows won numerous awards, including the Best Director award for François Truffaut at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival. The film was also nominated for the Best Original Screenplay at the 32nd Academy Awards.

Quotes

• "I need some money for lunch, dad. Only 1,000 francs.
• "You have no right to inspect my stuff!"
• "Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose. Sometimes I'd tell them the truth and they still wouldn't believe me, so I prefer to lie."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Jean Constantin. The music reflects the tone and emotions of the characters, especially the protagonist, providing an immersive experience for the audience.