. Moving away from the "Tradition of Quality"—the polished, studio-bound French cinema of the era—Truffaut took his crew into the streets of Paris. This gave the film a documentary-like realism
By championing the —the idea that a director is the "author" of a film—Truffaut paved the way for modern independent cinema. Without Antoine Doinel running toward that beach, the landscapes of world cinema would look remarkably different today. the 400 blows
Its influence can be seen in the works of directors ranging from Martin Scorsese to Richard Linklater, who cite its emotional honesty and stylistic daring as a touchstone. The film's preservation and status as essential cinema are cemented by its inclusion in as Spine #5, and its regular appearances on "greatest films" lists, including the Sight & Sound poll. Without Antoine Doinel running toward that beach, the