Les quatre cents coups 1959

Bosley Crowther, New York Times: Amazingly, this vigorous effort is the first feature film of M. Truffaut, who had previously been (of all things!) the movie critic for a French magazine. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: Distinguished by its intensity of feeling and freewheeling use of the wide-screen frame, the film ranks among Truffaut's best. Read more

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The later films have their own merits, and Stolen Kisses is one of Truffaut's best, but The 400 Blows, with all its simplicity and feeling, is in a class by itself. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: Seems forever young. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: For all of Truffaut's mastery of the behind-the-camera aspects of The 400 Blows, an equal share of the credit must go to lead actor Jean-Pierre Leaud. Read more

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com: Forget my curmudgeonly attitude and see it -- again, or for the first time -- for yourself. Read more

Hank Sartin, Time Out: Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: Still one of the cinema's most perceptive forays into childhood. Read more

Nina Caplan, Time Out: One of the first glistening droplets of the French New Wave. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: An engaging, moving film. Read more

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice: A remarkable confluence of talents are at work here. Read more