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The 400 Blows

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The 400 Blows is a famous French movie from 1959.

Trans-Lux Playhouse Ad - 25 December 1959, NW, Washington, D.C
Trans-Lux Playhouse Ad - 25 December 1959, NW, Washington, D.C

It is a drama about growing up. The story follows a boy named Antoine Doinel. Antoine lives in the big city of Paris. He often feels misunderstood by the adults in his life. He has a hard time with his parents and his teachers. This movie is very important to film history. It is a key part of a movement called the French New Wave.

The Famous Final Frame of "Les Quatre Cents Coups"
The Famous Final Frame of "Les Quatre Cents Coups"

Many people believe it is one of the best films ever made.

The movie shows us Antoine's difficult life through many steps. He gets into trouble at school for things like skipping class. He even tries to write an essay about the writer Balzac. Antoine steals a Royal typewriter to try and find a way to leave home. He cannot sell it, so he gets caught by the police. After spending a night in jail, he goes to an observation center. This center is for young people who have many troubles. At the very end, Antoine runs away to see the ocean. The film ends with a famous shot of his face.

François Truffaut wrote and directed this movie. It was his first time being the director of a film. The story is semi-autobiographical. This means the events in the movie are partly based on Truffaut's own life. He even used his own childhood feelings for the character. Truffaut dedicated the film to a man named André Bazin. Bazin was a man who was like a father to him. This movie helped start a new way of making films in France.

The film was shot in many real places. Most of it was filmed in Paris at places like Montmartre. Some parts were filmed in the coastal town of Honfleur. The final scene at the beach was filmed in Villers-sur-Mer.

Trans-Lux Playhouse Ad - 25 December 1959, NW, Washington, D.C
Trans-Lux Playhouse Ad - 25 December 1959, NW, Washington, D.C

The movie was a huge success in France. It had 4.1 million people go to see it there. It won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for an Academy Award in 1960. In 2022, critics ranked it as the 50th greatest film ever.

This movie is the start of a long journey for the character. Jean-Pierre Léaud plays Antoine in five different films. He plays him in a short film called Antoine and Colette. He also plays him in three sequels. These are Stolen Kisses, Bed and Board, and Love on the Run. Many famous directors today say they love this movie. Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese have both praised it. Even Akira Kurosawa called it a very beautiful film. It remains a very important piece of art for everyone.

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File:The Famous Final Frame of "Les Quatre Cents Coups".jpg
The Famous Final Frame of "Les Quatre...
File:Trans-Lux Playhouse Ad - 25 December 1959, NW, Washington, D.C.png
Trans-Lux Playhouse Ad - 25 December...
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