The Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers

By Gillo Pontecorvo

  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Date: 1967-09-20
  • Advisory Rating: Unrated
  • Runtime: 2h 1min
  • Director: Gillo Pontecorvo
  • Production Company: Igor Film
  • Production Country: Italy, Algeria
  • iTunes Price: USD 14.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7.867/10
7.867
From 702 Ratings

Description

One of the most influential political films in history, The Battle of Algiers, by Gillo Pontecorvo, vividly re-creates a key year in the tumultuous Algerian struggle for independence from the occupying French in the 1950s. As violence escalates on both sides, children shoot soldiers at point-blank range, women plant bombs in cafés, and French soldiers resort to torture to break the will of the insurgents. Shot on the streets of Algiers in documentary style, the film is a case study in modern warfare, with its terrorist attacks and the brutal techniques used to combat them. Pontecorvo’s tour de force has astonishing relevance today.

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Reviews

  • Battle of Algiers

    5
    By Mirth is King
    Outstanding!
  • Must-See for Political/Military Nerds

    4
    By LowellGear
    Great historical film with lessons on insurgencies and terrorism that are as current as ever. The cinematography was excellent and gave it a documentary-like feel. This is probably not a general-interest film but if you like war history this is a must.
  • Really Good

    4
    By G-M0NEY
    Reviews I have read claim this movie is slanted toward the FLN, and it should be as it was based on Saadi Yacef's book, who was prominent in the FLN. However, I found myself disliking the tactics of the FLN and rooting for the French paratroopers to wipe them out as there is no backstory establishing France's dominating and mistreatment of the Algerian Muslims. Yes, we all know colonialism is bad, but when the FLN starts killing civilians I can only think of them as terrorists.
  • A Record Breaker!!!

    5
    By Dirty Diapers
    This film is the only movie in Academy Award history to be nominated for an Oscar two separate years ('67 and '69). It is the greatest of its kind. This film was banned in France in 1965 and was screened specially by the U.S. Pentagon in 2003 to study terrorist tendencies. If you didn't know better you'd swear you were watching documentary or newsreel footage. This film is amazing!!!

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