8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Told through the eyes of François Truffaut's cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel, "The 400 Blows" sensitively re-creates the trials of Truffaut's own childhood, unsentimentally portraying aloof parents, oppressive teachers, and petty crime.
Starring: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Robert Beauvais, Claire Maurier, Albert Rémy, Guy DecombleDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 72% |
Coming of age | 6% |
Crime | 2% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
French: LPCM 2.0 Mono
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Francois Truffaut's "The 400 Blows" (1959) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; introduction by Serge Toubiana, president of Cinémathèque française; archival screen tests; and audio commentary by French film critic and Francois Truffaut childhood friend Robert Lachenay. In French, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
The troublemaker
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Francois Truffaut's The 400 Blows arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye.
The encode is not identical to the one Criterion used for their Blu-ray release of The 400 Blows back in 2009, but the two have very similar characteristics. Indeed, despite the frequent camera movement detail and clarity are still pleasing. Close-ups, in particular, are quite nice (see screencaptures #1 and 3). Even a few of the panoramic shots impress with good depth and fluidity (see screencapture #4). The age of the master from which the high-definition transfer was struck, however, begins to show during a few of the daylight sequences, where grain could be slightly better resolved and sharpness levels could be better balanced. There are no traces of problematic denoising corrections. There are a few daylight sequences where some light halo effects sneak in, but detail is never compromised. Lastly, there are no serious stability issues to report in this review. Also, there are no large cuts, debris, damage marks, or stains. All in all, next to the recent releases of Francois Truffaut films The 400 Blows now looks slightly dated, but I still like its appearance. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: French LPCM 2.0. For the record, Artificial Eye have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
Depth and clarity are pleasing, but there are some minor inherited fluctuations (all of them are part of the film's original sound design). Jean Constantin's score has primarily a supportive role, but it is well balanced and sounds great. The dialog is stable and easy to follow. There are no pops, audio dropouts, or distortions to report in this review. The English translation is very good (but it is not identical to Criterion's translation).
It is great to see that Artificial Eye are bringing so many of Francois Truffaut's films to Blu-ray. While most older film aficionados are more than likely familiar with them, there are many younger film enthusiasts that will get a chance to discover them on Blu-ray. I think that this is fantastic because the likes of Jules & Jim and Shoot the Pianist look quite spectacular now. Truffaut's The 400 Blows, one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time, does not need my recommendation. Simply put, if you don't have it, then your collection is incomplete.
StudioCanal Collection
1965
My Life to Live
1962
À bout de souffle / Vintage World Cinema
1960
Otto e mezzo / Federico Fellini's 8½
1963
2015
Remastered / 25th Anniversary | Reissue
1995
Le dernier métro
1980
1960
1987
Jules & Jim / Jules et Jim
1962
Det sjunde inseglet
1957
Mitt liv som hund / Arrow Academy
1985
Il deserto rosso
1964
Smultronstället
1957
Le salaire de la peur
1953
1959
40th Anniversary | Limited Edition
1984
一一 / A One and a Two
2000
Vintage World Cinema
1970
L'armée des ombres / Vintage World Cinema
1969