Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
The 400 Blows
Raiting: 
8,1 /10
Genre: Drama
Director: François Truffaut
Stars: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claire Maurier and Albert Rémy
Country: France
Release date: 3 June 1959
Length: 99 minutes
"Les Quatre Cents Coups" (The 400 Blows) is a seminal French film directed by François Truffaut and released in 1959. It is a defining film of the French New Wave movement, known for its honest portrayal of youth and its stylistic innovations. The film presents the story of Antoine Doinel, a misunderstood adolescent in Paris who struggles with the challenges of growing up in an unsympathetic environment.
Antoine, played by Jean-Pierre Léaud, is a young boy living in a cramped apartment with his mother and stepfather, whose relationship with him is distant and often neglectful. At school, he faces the rigid and punitive French educational system of the time. Feeling trapped and unappreciated both at home and at school, Antoine frequently skips class and indulges in petty theft with his friend, René.
The film captures the essence of Antoine's struggle through a series of incidents that reflect his desire for freedom and understanding. After being caught plagiarizing Balzac by his teacher, Antoine is punished and further alienated. His home life deteriorates when he discovers that his mother is having an affair, and his stepfather is indifferent to his situation. As his acts of rebellion escalate, Antoine's relationship with his parents reaches a breaking point, leading to his placement in an observation center for troubled youth.
Truffaut's direction is both sensitive and unsentimental, portraying Antoine's journey with a mix of realism and poetic flair. The film is notable for its on-location shooting in Paris, its fluid camera work, and the use of innovative techniques such as the freeze-frame ending, which has become iconic in cinema history. The final scene, where Antoine escapes from the observation center and runs to the sea, only to be captured in a freeze-frame as he turns back to the camera, is an indelible image of youth in limbo, searching for meaning and a place in the world.
"Les Quatre Cents Coups" is not just a story about a troubled youth; it is a commentary on the rigid societal structures that fail to nurture and understand the complexities of adolescence. The film's title, which translates to "The 400 Blows," is a French idiom that means "to raise hell." Antoine Doinel certainly does this, but he also elicits deep empathy from the audience, as his blows against the strictures of society are also cries for help and a search for identity.
Truffaut's semi-autobiographical masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It launched the career of Jean-Pierre Léaud, who would continue to play Antoine Doinel in a series of films chronicling the character's life. "Les Quatre Cents Coups" remains a touchstone of French cinema and a poignant, timeless exploration of adolescence.
Top cast - Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
Trailer - Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
"Les Quatre Cents Coups," directed by François Truffaut, is a film of great emotional depth and stylistic innovation that has stood the test of time since its release in 1959. As a pivotal film of the French New Wave, it broke away from traditional cinematic conventions and paved the way for a new era of filmmaking. The story of young Antoine Doinel, played with remarkable authenticity by Jean-Pierre Léaud, is a profound exploration of adolescence and the pressing need for understanding and empathy.
The film is a semi-autobiographical recount of Truffaut's own childhood, and this personal connection imbues the narrative with a sense of reality that is both raw and touching. Antoine's experiences resonate with the universal pangs of growing up—alienation, rebellion, and the search for self. The character's journey is marked by moments of joy and pain, and Truffaut captures these nuances without resorting to melodrama, allowing the audience to form a genuine connection with the protagonist.
Truffaut's directorial choices are commendable; he employs techniques such as the tracking shot and the freeze-frame that not only serve the story but also contribute to the film's lasting influence on cinema. The cinematography is both fluid and dynamic, reflecting the tumultuous state of Antoine's life. The use of Paris as a backdrop provides a vivid setting that is both romantic and unforgiving, mirroring the duality of Antoine's experiences.
What sets "Les Quatre Cents Coups" apart is its ability to evoke the inner world of a child with such clarity and sincerity. The film does not shy away from showing Antoine's flaws, yet it is this honesty that makes his character so compelling. Jean-Pierre Léaud delivers a performance that is both natural and profound, embodying the confusion and longing of youth with a presence that is beyond his years.
The film's ending is particularly striking—a freeze-frame of Antoine's face as he reaches the sea, a symbol of the infinite possibilities and uncertainties that lie ahead. This final shot is a powerful commentary on the state of youth, caught between the tides of childhood and adulthood, freedom and responsibility.
In conclusion, "Les Quatre Cents Coups" is a masterpiece of French cinema that remains impactful more than half a century after its release. It is a testament to François Truffaut's genius and a must-watch for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking. The film's portrayal of the trials of youth is as relevant today as it was in 1959, making "Les Quatre Cents Coups" a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move audiences around the world.