Film Info
Director François Truffaut's first feature film, THE 400 BLOWS, is a landmark in French cinema. Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud) is a 13-year-old boy who can't seem to do anything right. His parents yell at him and then bribe him for his love and his promises to work harder in school. Meanwhile, his schoolteacher is out to get him and blames Antoine for everything--turning him into the class clown. As a result, Antoine runs away from school and his difficult family, living on the streets of Paris and committing petty crimes. While his life on the street is tough, it's much better than dealing with his preoccupied parents and his accusatory teacher. Nonetheless, things only go downhill for Antoine, descending to a simultaneously painful and beautiful conclusion.
Director
Star(s)
Star(s)
Star(s)
Star(s)
Star(s)
FESTIVALS
Awards
- Best Director (Winner)
1959 Cannes Film Festival (Cannes, France) - Best European Film (Winner)
1960 Bodil Awards (Copenhagen, Denmark) - Best Film (Winner)
1960 French Syndicate of Cinema Critics (France) - Best Film from any Source (Nominee)
1961 BAFTA Awards (London, United Kingdom) - Best Foreign Language Film (Winner)
1959 New York Film Critics Circle Awards (New York City, United States) - Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (Nominee)
1961 BAFTA Awards (London, United Kingdom)
