Just watched François Truffaut‘s 1959 masterpiece The 400 Blows again tonight because I needed to be transported back to something else, something other, and few, if any, films can do it like this one. This may be one of the greatest meditations on childhood ever, and the pacing coupled with the long, intimate, and kinetic scenes are spellbinding.
Here are my three favorite in no particular order:
Punch and Judy scene:
The way in which the childrens’ energy and excitement at a puppet show, accompanied by the long intimate studies of each of their faces is magical. My favorite scene this time around.
The Rotor scene: A brilliant idea beautifully captured. Watching the young protagonists trying to pull himself outside of gravity in many ways captures the whole spirit of the film for me.
The Running scene:
To run like this again….long shot anyone?…Scorsese who? —French New Wave at its best?
Second time this year I have come back to this film, not sure why I crave it so as of late. Must be that sense of joyous freedom, youth, and possibility everywhere denatured by life and reality.
These were all great-thanks!
This is my favorite film. The last scene is clearly fantastic, but I love the rotor scene too, and your comment is spot on.
WOW. It’s been years since I’ve seen this, and your first clip brought me nearly to tears.
(Remember that nice little bit in the first Lord of the Rings movie, when Bilbo is telling some wee hobbits about his adventures?)
Scorsese who? Exactly. Ol’ Marty is the filmmaker he is (was?) because he cut his teeth on the French New Wave. Thanks for posting this.
such a wonderful movie. I want the wachowskis to remake it. they said they would consider it.
@Keanu,
You’re so funny, I love you.
I have not seen this films since my college days. I need to revisit it. Thanks for the nudge, and for reminding me that film is awesome. I had forgotten.