I enjoyed this last night and it being another scope film in black and white was very cool. The best part was the cinematography IMO. Overall the PQ was very good with a few instances where grain was pretty obtrusive.

I know that the film was loosely based on Truffaut's own life but it ended strangely, kinda leaving one expecting at least another scene.

I think for film afficianadoe's I'd certainly recommend it but it isn't a film I'd ask others to sit through with me.

Art

think for film afficianadoe's I'd certainly recommend it but it isn't a film I'd ask others to sit through with me.

So... this is a movie you'd recommend to people who like movies, but people who don't like movies should try a different movie, instead? :D

I enjoyed this last night and it being another scope film in black and white was very cool. The best part was the cinematography IMO. Overall the PQ was very good with a few instances where grain was pretty obtrusive.

I know that the film was loosely based on Truffaut's own life but it ended strangely, kinda leaving one expecting at least another scene.

I think for film afficianadoe's I'd certainly recommend it but it isn't a film I'd ask others to sit through with me.

Art

The final scene-- the freeze on Antoine's face-- is one of the most famous endings in film history.

Thanks for your analysis of the PQ. It's appreciated! :)

So... this is a movie you'd recommend to people who like movies, but people who don't like movies should try a different movie, instead? :D

You know I hope your remark was funny, to you. I believe love of this type of film is an acquired taste and I have no friends who I feel would find this type of film entertaining.

Art

You know I hope your remark was funny, to you.

This comment makes me fear that I've offended you. I sure didn't mean to. My post was intended in light spirit.

I know that the film was loosely based on Truffaut's own life but it ended strangely, kinda leaving one expecting at least another scene.

Truffaut continued making movies with the Antoine Doinel character (and the same actor) tracking how he evolved through life after the 'freeze frame' ending of "400 Blows." Personally I think these new movies rob the ending of "400 Blows" of its power because we do get to know what became of that confused child that ran until he could run no more and was cornered between his past and the ocean, thus being forced to face the rest of his life based on the consequences of his actions. Criterion released a Box Set with all the Truffaut shorts and feature films involving the Doinel character: http://www.amazon.com/Francois-Truffauts-Adventures-Antoine-Collette/dp/B00008H2GR/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1240712823&sr=8-1. Not worth owning (IMHO) but if you're genuinely curious about the character you can rent the movies in this Box Set and continue the saga that started with "400 Blows."

Here are some pics I took of "400 Blows" BD on my Olevia 747i 47" LCD:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/dad1153/DSC00103-1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/dad1153/DSC00105-2.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u238/dad1153/DSC00109-1.jpg

I was consdering getting that set after seeing 400 blows. the price is a bit steep consdering I have one of the 4 films already

I never got around watching this movie. Even tough I have the Criterion DVD (still sealed) and recently bought Blu-ray.

So many movies. I just can't find the fr***** time to watch them all.

I love this film. I know a few people who would watch this with me, but I agree this isn't the type of film that is a safe bet to be a crowd pleaser. I'm very happy with the PQ of the Crirerion blu-ray. As for the final shot, I agree that it is startling, but IMO, that's what makes it great. It forces you to think about why Truffaut ended the film on that shot. IMO, the film could not have gone one more frame. The ending causes you to engage the theater of the mind. You are forced to contemplate what will happen next, which also causes you to think about all of the events that led up to it. Thus, the film engages you, haunts you, and becomes even more memorable. If Truffaut had tipped his hand by letting the film go longer, IMO, it would have ruined it.

So... this is a movie you'd recommend to people who like movies, but people who don't like movies should try a different movie, instead? :D

I thought that this was a sarcastic comment. This is epidemic on the forum so I misread your intent. Sorry.:o

Art

I thought that this was a sarcastic comment. This is epidemic on the forum so I misread your intent. Sorry.

Thanks, but you don't have to apologize to me. I'm sorry my reply was so vague as to be readable that way.

Thanks, but you don't have to apologize to me. I'm sorry my reply was so vague as to be readable that way.

Well, I thought that comment of yours was funny. :p

I enjoyed this last night and it being another scope film in black and white was very cool.

I love b&w S-C-O-P-E films! Would also love to see Kurosawa's 'The Hidden Fortress' (1958) or Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' (1960) -- both b&w scope, on BD. Any other classic films off the top of your head that fit this descriptor, Art / anyone?

Oh how I wish these Criterion BDs weren't region locked!

I love b&w S-C-O-P-E films! Would also love to see Kurosawa's 'The Hidden Fortress' (1958) or Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' (1960) -- both b&w scope, on BD. Any other classic films off the top of your head that fit this descriptor, Art / anyone?


Just a few that come to mind:

Hud
The Hustler
The Three Faces of Eve
The Innocents
The Young Lions
The Longest Day

Kurosawa:

Throne of Blood
Red Beard
High and Low
The Bad Sleep Well
Yojimbo
Sanjuro

Criterion offers a boxed set called "Rebel Samurai" which includes four films, all B&W widescreen, all excellent films: Samurai Rebellion, Samurai Spy, Sword of the Beast, and Kill! They are complicated and require your complete attention to keep track of all the characters, but they rock. Don't expect them in Blu-ray for some time, if at all.

In fact, just search for Criterion Japanese films. They got into color much later than Western cinema, and there are many B&W widescreen films.

Art,

How does the PQ compare with 'The Third Man'? I agreed with you that TTM was wonderful.

Just a few that come to mind:

Hud
The Hustler
The Three Faces of Eve
The Innocents
The Young Lions
The Longest Day

Kurosawa:

Throne of Blood
Red Beard
High and Low
The Bad Sleep Well
Yojimbo
Sanjuro

Criterion offers a boxed set called "Rebel Samurai" which includes four films, all B&W widescreen, all excellent films: Samurai Rebellion, Samurai Spy, Sword of the Beast, and Kill! They are complicated and require your complete attention to keep track of all the characters, but they rock. Don't expect them in Blu-ray for some time, if at all.

In fact, just search for Criterion Japanese films. They got into color much later than Western cinema, and there are many B&W widescreen films.

Thanks 'Shaded Dogfood' for your recommendations (by 'widescreen', I assume that the above are all 2.35 and not 1.85 or less)....I'd be content viewing some of these upconverted on my scope screen....besides, my Samsung 1080P dvd has that unique subtitle repositioning feature for those foreign films w/subs that spill out of the active image area....btw, I've had 'The Longest Day' on BD for several months and forgot that it was in b&w (haven't been as motivated to watch it after finding out that it was heavily DNR'ed).

I love b&w S-C-O-P-E films! Would also love to see Kurosawa's 'The Hidden Fortress' (1958) or Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' (1960) -- both b&w scope, on BD. Any other classic films off the top of your head that fit this descriptor, Art / anyone?

Besides the aforementioned Kurosawa and American/European movies:

John Schlesinger's Billy Liar would look swell in high-definition.
So would Truffaut's own Jules and Jim.
A Kirk Douglas movie I'm fond of, 1962's Lonely Are the Brave.

I assume that the above are all 2.35 and not 1.85 or less)....

They are all really wide. Don't miss those Samurai movies.

There are many B&W widescreen films out there; it's just hard to call them up from the recesses of the past.

I love b&w S-C-O-P-E films! Would also love to see Kurosawa's 'The Hidden Fortress' (1958) or Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' (1960) -- both b&w scope, on BD. Any other classic films off the top of your head that fit this descriptor, Art / anyone?


Just a few that come to mind:

Hud
The Hustler
The Three Faces of Eve
The Innocents
The Young Lions
The Longest Day


I'd love to see THE INNOCENTS in scope Freddie Francis's cinematography is to die for (great film too).

I'd Also love to see the original/scope INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS on BD, the DVD is ancient looking.

I'd love to see THE INNOCENTS in scope Freddie Francis's cinematography is to die for (great film too).

I'd Also love to see the original/scope INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS on BD, the DVD is ancient looking.

The two sequels to The Fly, Ruturn of the Fly and Curse of the Fly are b&w and 'scope.

Sorry to be a pedant, but Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1956) isn't in 'scope, it's in non-anamorphic SuperScope at an aspect ratio of 2.0:1. Not that it matters much in relation to this discussion, I just thought I'd point that out.

My inside information is that the BFI intend to release all their films currently on DVD in the Blu-ray Disc format if they have a high def master, which I understand they do for The Innocents.

And talking about Freddie Francis’ excellent b&w/’scope cinematography on that film leads us inevitably to The Elephant Man, which has already had a superb HD DVD release.

Steve W

The two sequels to The Fly, Ruturn of the Fly and Curse of the Fly are b&w and 'scope.

Sorry to be a pedant, but Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1956) isn't in 'scope, it's in non-anamorphic SuperScope at an aspect ratio of 2.0:1. Not that it matters much in relation to this discussion, I just thought I'd point that out.

My inside information is that the BFI intend to release all their films currently on DVD in the Blu-ray Disc format if they have a high def master, which I understand they do for The Innocents.

And talking about Freddie Francis’ excellent b&w/’scope cinematography on that film leads us inevitably to The Elephant Man, which has already had a superb HD DVD release.

Steve W

Looks like I'l have to get serious about looking into region-free BD, BFI is all R-B.