Birmingham Public Library Movie Review: 'The 400 Blows'

From the Birmingham Public Library:

September 25, 2020

By William Anthony | Southern History Department | Central Library

François Truffaut invigorated French cinema when he released his highly personal debut feature film, The 400 Blows, back in 1959. The 400 Blows stands out as one of the quintessential movies of the French New Wave. Truffaut shares what it is like to be an unruly boy who roams the streets of Paris and provokes the irritation of his teacher, parents and, eventually, the law. The analysis of reckless youth is the most prominent theme throughout The 400 Blows.

This child, Antoine Doinel, lacks an abundance of discipline. His parents do not know how to control him as he defies their expectations. Their inability to teach him right from wrong only perpetuates Antoine’s lack of direction in life. He skips class and lies that he missed class due to his mother’s death. Then, he plagiarizes one of Honoré de Balzac’s writings and runs away so that he will not have to face his parents. He even steals a typewriter and tries to sell it. When this plan fails, he returns it only to end up spending the night in jail for theft. Antoine's rebellion diverts him from enjoying a seemingly normal home and education like the rest of his classmates. Yet, his parents do not know what to do with their son's lack of discipline. He wrestles with what he wants out of his unpredictable upbringing as he struggles to balance himself on that thin line between childhood and adulthood. Childhood is not always the most innocent chapter of life for some people. The 400 Blows follows Antoine’s downward spiral in order to reveal how much unhappiness and rebellion control him. The final freeze-frame shot of Antoine still lingers in my mind because I now understand his personal shortcomings. The 400 Blows is available to stream on Kanopy and to borrow on DVD in the Jefferson County Library Cooperative.

This press release was produced by the Birmingham Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.