Francois Truffaut's first feature is also his most personal. Told through the eyes of Truffaut's cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Leaud), The 400 Blows (Les Quatre cents coups) sensitively recreates the trials of Truffaut's own difficult childhood, unsentimentally portraying aloof parents, oppressive teachers, petty crime, and a friendship that would last a lifetime. The film marks Truffaut's passage from leading critic of the French New Wave to his emergence as one of Europe's most brilliant auteurs. Also included is Antoine and Colette, Truffaut's acclaimed 30-minute film from the 1962 omnibus feature L'Amour a vingt ans.
Supplements
Short film: "Antoine and Colette"
Two audio commentaries: one by cinema professor Brian Stonehill and another by lifelong friend of Truffaut, 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 French TV program with Truffaut discussing his youth, critical writings, and the origins of Antoine Doinel
Television interview with Truffaut about the global financial reception of The 400 Blows and his own critical impression of the film
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