The 400 Blows

Les Quatre cents coups

Truffaut’s landmark film of the French New Wave is one of greatest films about childhood.

  • Director

    François Truffaut

  • With

    Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert Remy, Claire Maurier

  • France 1959. 99min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    PG

  • English subtitles

François Truffaut’s first feature is a profoundly moving portrait of a 13-year-old Parisian boy. Universal truths about coming-of-age are captured with documentary-like realism, but peppered with cheeky humour and an exhilarating youthful energy. The 400 Blows arrived just one year ahead of Godard’s Breathless – to which Truffaut, along with Claude Chabrol, provided the original story. The legendary debuts of these critics-turned filmmakers redefined cinematic language and occupy a special place in film history.

Kimberley Sheehan

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