The 400 BlowsPG

Directed by Francois Truffaut | France | 1959 | 1h 40m | French w/ English subtitles | Starring Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert Rémy, Claire Maurier

A timeless coming-of-age story following a few months in the life of a 12-year-old boy who, misunderstood and mistreated by his parents and teachers, seeks refuge in truancy, petty crime, and the cinema. The most autobiographical of Truffaut’s films which helped launch the French New Wave is universally regarded as one of the all-time great directorial debuts.

Classic Season: Directorial Debuts

Reviews

‘It’s a cornerstone of the French New Wave, and one of the greatest movies about childhood, from anywhere, ever.’
★★★★★
Anthony Quinn, The Independent

‘A landmark in modern cinema.’
★★★★★
Jason Korsner, BBC

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The 400 Blows between January 16, 2022 and January 18, 2022.

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What else is on?

Today (Wednesday 14th January)
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15:15

Fiume o morte! 18
1h 52m | Croatian & Italian w/ English subtitles
Igor Bezinović revisits D’Annunzio’s 1919 ultranationalist occupation of Fiume, blending archival footage, reenactments, and interviews. This inventive documentary interrogates memory, myth-making, and lingering fascist shadows. Winner of Rotterdam’s Tiger Award and Croatia’s Oscar submission.

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17:45

Sentimental Value 15
2h 13m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Actress Nora confronts her estranged father, a famed director preparing a comeback, and reconnects with her sister. Old tensions and new ambitions collide, forcing them to face their past. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning star in Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) emotionally rich story of reconciliation.

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20:45

Lurker 15
1h 41m
Isolated retail clerk Matthew infiltrates pop star Oliver’s glamorous inner circle but quickly discovers the ruthless social dynamics behind fame. Alex Russell’s directorial debut is a tense psychological thriller for the social media era, where obsession and ambition collide.

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Tomorrow (Thursday 15th January)
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14:45

Sentimental Value 15
2h 13m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Actress Nora confronts her estranged father, a famed director preparing a comeback, and reconnects with her sister. Old tensions and new ambitions collide, forcing them to face their past. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning star in Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) emotionally rich story of reconciliation.

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17:45

Something's Gotta Give 12A
2h 8m
Classic Season: In Memoriam 2025
After womaniser Harry Sanborn suffers a heart attack at a Hamptons house, he’s nursed by playwright Erica Barry, sparking a complicated love triangle. Nancy Meyers’ witty romantic comedy shines through sharp writing and the chemistry between Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson.

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20:45

Sentimental Value 15
2h 13m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Actress Nora confronts her estranged father, a famed director preparing a comeback, and reconnects with her sister. Old tensions and new ambitions collide, forcing them to face their past. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning star in Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) emotionally rich story of reconciliation.

Book here


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Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!

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