The 400 Blows

Les Quatre Cent Coups (The 400 Blows) (1959) is a French film directed by François Truffaut.

The story revolves around Antoine Doinel, an adolescent in Paris, who is thought by his parents and teachers to be a trouble maker.

warning: wikipedia contains spoilers

Through a series of poor choices made by Antoine and a series of reactions from adults, Antoine is put in a detention center. Eventually Antoine escapes the detention center. The film ends on the famous freeze-frame where Antoine is on the beach, looking out onto the sea, where he needs to go to escape. He has never seen the sea.

Cast :

Antoine Doinel Jean-Pierre Léaud

400 Blows was also the name of a 1970s jaz/funk band. They were named after the film.