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The 400 Blows: The (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] |
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![The 400 Blows: The (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gnpBCgRRL._SL160_.jpg "The 400 Blows: The (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]")
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Staring:
Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claire Maurier, Albert Rémy, Guy Decomble, Patrick Auffay
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: $39.95
Our Price: $22.49
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Product Description
François Truffaut s first feature is also his most personal. Told through the eyes of Truffaut s cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), The 400 Blows sensitively re-creates the trials of Truffaut s own difficult childhood, unsentimentally portraying aloof parents, oppressive teachers, and petty crime. The film marked Truffaut s passage from leading critic to trailblazing auteur of the French New Wave.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:
New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Two audio commentaries: one by cinema professor Brian Stonehill and another by François Truffaut s lifelong friend Robert Lachenay
Rare audition footage of Jean-Pierre Léaud, Patrick Auffay, and Richard Kanayan
Newsreel footage of Léaud in Cannes for the showing of The 400 Blows
Excerpt from a TV program in which Truffaut discusses his youth, his critical writings, and the origins of Antoine
TV interview with Truffaut about the global reception of The 400 Blows and his own critical impression of the film
Theatrical trailer
PLUS: An essay by film scholar Annette Insdorf
Amazon.com
Francois Truffaut's first feature was this 1959 portrait of Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), 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
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Affecting Film about Juvenile Delinquency, 2009-10-18
A boy in France isn't interested in school and feels alienated by his parents. His world begins to increasingly be surrounded by like minded friends his own age especially one boy who often accompanies him in misbehavior. Based on true story, Francois Truffaut creates a moving portrait of a child on his way through the juvenile legal system including the detention centers and homes. The ending is especially affecting.
Timeless Classic, 2009-11-02
Truffart's masterpiece, everyone should see this film at least once, mere words fail when describing this gem of a film!
Another fine Criterion Blu-ray, 2010-01-23
This is the last Criterion Blu-ray I'll ever have to buy in that cheap paper jacket. Shame on you Criterion for producing such a thing. However, all their new discs have the plastic shell you expect from Blu-rays and you might get one after the original pressing runs out.
The film is flawlessly presented and I recommend it highly to anyone interested in Truffaut, french films, film history, and all around creative film making. If you're idea of a good film is something directed by Michael Bay then stay clear of this one. 'Armageddon' or "The Rock" this is not.
Moving and exhilirating, 2009-08-26
The movie announced the talent of Francois Truffaut and still makes a powerful impact 50 years later.
We follow the life of Antoine, a 13-year-old Parisian kid with a knack of getting himself into trouble. He's persecuted in turn by his stupid French literature teacher, his adoptive father and his cold, neglectful mother and winds up in a juvenile institution after stealing a typewriter from his father's office, failing to sell it and getting caught trying to return it.
Antoine is basically not a bad kid but each petty lie and immature stunt gets him deeper and deeper into trouble from a system that seems capable only of punishing and never of understanding him.
We learn that Antoine's mother never wanted him and sees him as a nuisance and a burden; that his adoptive father has no real investment in his success and that the authority figures he meets are interested only in processing him and never relate to him as a person.
This movie is full of exuberant cinemagraphic moments: the camera swoops up and down like a bird watching a clueless teacher taking his class for exercise and having the kids run off behind his back one by one. Antoine and his friend emerge from the Metro and a flock of pigeons explodes into the air. Antoine spends the night alone, surrounded by the cold, unfeeling statues of the Tuileries Gardens.
One notable aspect: every single adult in this movie is an idiot and most are also casually cruel.
The message of this humanistic film is that children need love to thrive. Without it, they are we are victims.
Truffaut almost before he became Truffaut, 2009-07-31
If you are coming late to this pathbreaking film after having seen and enjoyed other Truffaut movies, be forewarned: it's not much like Jules et Jim, or The Bride Wore Black, or even the later Antoine Doinel features. Truffaut spent his childhood watching movies, especially the American studio products turned out by men who became his heroes -- Hawks, Ford, Hitchcock, Ray. In his later films, he unabashedly adapted their styles, combining commercial narrative techniques with his own New Wave sensibility. The result was a type of French cinema that could both entertain and dig deeper than a typical Hollywood vehicle.
In The 400 Blows, his first full-length film, Truffaut opted instead for a documentary style that he felt offered the best chance of telling the truth. (He knew this truth very well, because the story is largely autobiographical.) Elements that typically enhance a studio film and nudge the viewer toward a certain reaction are almost totally absent. The camera "passively" records whatever is taking place, allowing fairly long scenes to unfold in real time. There are few quick cuts or editing that calls attention to itself or to particular lines. The music seems perfunctory, serving more to bridge scenes or otherwise offer continuity (again, in the manner of a documentary) than to prompt emotional responses or underline the psychology of a moment. Dialogue is usually banal, i.e., naturalistic. The characters, even the least sympathetic ones, don't get sorted into heroes or villains. We can sympathize with all of them even as we discern their obvious limitations.
In other words, not a great date movie. Just a courageous first effort by someone who wasn't afraid to translate strong ideas about film into an actual film. I'm glad I finally watched it, although I will probably continue to treasure other Truffaut movies much more.
The Blu-Ray transfer seems superb. Rich variations of black and gray and white. Beautiful visual detail. Wide-screen format, which surprised me, as with Jules et Jim. (Why have I always assumed that the great European film-makers of the 50s and 60s stuck with Academy Ratio?) Technically another great job by Criterion.
Highly recommended, with the implicit caveats noted.
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Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: Blu-ray
Brand: Image Entertainment
EAN: 0715515042413
Format: Black & White, Subtitled, Widescreen
Label: The Criterion Collection
Manufacturer: The Criterion Collection
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: The Criterion Collection
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2009-03-24
Running Time: 99
Studio: The Criterion Collection
Theatrical Release Date: 1959 |
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