Rent The Battle of Algiers (1966)
4.2 of 5 from 257 ratings
1h 57min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Gillo Pontecorvo's multi-award winning picture 'The Battle of Algiers' has perhaps never been as pertinent as it is now. Set from 1954 to 1962, the movie uses documentary-style black and white photography to recreate real events. Algerian liberation fighters use terrorist techniques against the French colonial occupiers; the French retaliate with brutal military force. Brilliantly directed set-pieces and remarkable crowd scenes make the film a masterpiece; the ominous familiarity of its subject makes it a must-see" - The Times How to win battle against terrorism and lose the war of ideas. Children shoot soldiers at point blank range. Women plant bombs in Cafes. Sounds familiar? The French have a plan. It succeeds tactically, but fails strategically. To understand why, come to a rare showing of this film.'' - Pentagon tlyer for their in-house screening of Battle Of Algiers All the armies of the world - including the Pentagon - will never, but never, be able to conquer a country which wants to control its own destiny" - Saadi Yacef - Actors:
- Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi, Tommaso Neri, Ugo Paletti, Fusia El Kader, Mohamed Ben Kassen, Franco Moruzzi, Samia Kerbash, Rouïched, Gene Wesson
- Directors:
- Gillo Pontecorvo
- Producers:
- Antonio Musu, Yacef Saadi
- Writers:
- Franco Solinas
- Aka:
- La Battaglia di Algeri
- Studio:
- Argent
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- Award Winners, Brando: A Centenary Celebration, Lions on the Lido, A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide to: Mel Brooks
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 09/07/2012
- Run Time:
- 121 minutes
- Languages:
- Arabic Dolby Digital 2.0, Arabic DTS-HD High Resolution 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0, French DTS-HD High Resolution 2.0, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0, Italian DTS-HD High Resolution 2.0
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- The Making of The Battle Of Algiers: An exclusive interview with Director Gillo Pontecorvo
- The Real Battle of Algiers: An exclusive interview with producer Saadi Yacef, head of FLN guerrillas in Algiers
- Our War for Freedom: Interview with FLN fighter Zohra Drif Bitat (portrayed in the film)
- Exclusive Presentation by Director Paul Greengrass
- Exclusive Interview with Director Ken Loach
- Photo Galleries and Trailers: From filmmakers personal archives
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Reviews (6) of The Battle of Algiers
Powerful and still relevant - The Battle of Algiers review by AK
Now nearly 50 years old, The Battle of Algiers remains an outstanding classic. Its portrayal of Algeria's attempt to achieve independence from its colonial master France is very powerful and the treatment meted out to Algerian freedom fighters is as shocking today as when it was made. Shot in black and white, the imagery, most particularly the scenes in the Casbah are absolutely outstanding and the subject matter continues to shock. In my opinion, the subject matter remains relevant today, given the treatment being meted out to refugees from Syria, and elsewhere, a reminder of how European powers have treated non-Europeans.
3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.
Powerful & Remarkable Cinema - The Battle of Algiers review by GI
This is a truly remarkable film based on real events and it's often difficult to discern if you're watching documentary footage or cinematic reconstruction. In fact the entire film is narrative and everything is created by the director. It tells the story of the rise of dissidents in the North African country of Algeria against the colonial rule of France that had been in place for over a hundred years. In 1954 the first sounds of disharmony of the Arab population began after years of racism and being treated as second class citizens, which built into terrorism and insurrection and was then ruthlessly suppressed by the French who sent in their paratroops. The film looks at both sides of the conflict from the indiscriminate terrorist atrocities of the dissidents to the use of torture and violence by the State. As a piece of cinema it's very impactive and resonates through later decades where similarities can be seen in the UK approach to Irish terrorism and the more recent War On Terror led by the USA. Using mainly non-actors this is a tense drama that has some very shocking scenes but it's also a really riveting story that follows the leadership of the independence group and the reactions of the French in the form of Colonel Mathieu, the leader of the army sent in to deal with the rebellion. Set in Algiers and in particular the Casbah quarter, a maze of steep streets and interconnected buildings where the terrorists hide, the scene is set for a battle of wits over who will win. The paratroops raid on the Casbah must have been an influence of Steven Spielberg in his Krakow ghetto violent round up by the Nazis in Schindler's List (1993). If you are a cinephile then I cannot recommend this film enough, it's a unique piece of cinema and a must see. A tough watch at times but it'll stick in the memory.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Powerful and relevant thriller - The Battle of Algiers review by JO
The Battle of Algiers is a powerful thriller about Algeria's struggle to become independent from its colonial ruler, France during the late 1950s. Film is very hard-hitting due to its grainy black and white documentary style. The film is told from the point of view of an illiterate Algerian, Ali de Pointe: the scenes depicting his racial prejudice by the French elicit our sympathy. Ennio Morricone's pounding score is a classic. The sequence in which three separate Algerian carry explosives through the Kasbah and past the French authorities is brilliantly constructed and Morricone's score generates edge-of-your-seat tension. Despite being 50 years old this film doesn't feel aged. It is very relevant today. Highly recommended.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.