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The Battle Of Algiers Details

1965 Certificate 15 Certificate 15 (TBC)
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 4139 members

The Battle Of Algiers authentically recreates the life-and-death struggle that took place in Algiers from 1954 to 1957, when the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) began a guerrilla war against the French, using terrorism. The French sent paratroopers, which led to a regrettable catalogue of atrocities being committed by .. Read more

Starring Brahim Haggiag, Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef
Director Gillo Pontecorvo
Genres Action/Adventure, Drama

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The Battle Of Algiers

The Battle Of Algiers authentically recreates the life-and-death struggle that took place in Algiers from 1954 to 1957, when the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) began a guerrilla war against the French, using terrorism. The French sent paratroopers, which led to a regrettable catalogue of atrocities being committed by both sides. Unique, Award-winning, enthralling entertainment, The Battle Of Algiers is even more relevant in today's global political climate than ever before.

Starring Brahim Haggiag, Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef
Director Gillo Pontecorvo
Studio ARGENT FILMS LTD
Run time DVD: 1 hr 56 mins
Watch now: 1 hr 57 mins
Certificate DVD: Certificate 15, Watch Online: Certificate 15 (TBC)
Genres Action/Adventure, Drama
Language DVD: Algerian, English
Watch Online: Italian, French, English, Arabic
Subtitles DVD: English
Watch Online: English
Released DVD: 31 Aug 2009
Watch now: 27 Oct 2009
Production year: 1965
Watch now Subscribe and watch this as part of an unlimited package.
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (6) of The Battle Of Algiers

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  • 5 stars out of 5

    Although directed by Italian Gillo Pontecorvo, this stark and compelling drama about the rise of the Front de Libération Nationale was the first indigenous feature shot in Algeria. Beside the striking simplicity of the visuals, the film's great strength is its even-handedness: French and Algerian rhetoric is given an equal airing, their actions are neither condemned nor condoned and the combatants on each side are depicted as committed individuals caught in the great tide of history. Although it won the Golden Lion at Venice, the picture was banned in France and lengthy torture scenes were cut in Britain.

    • Radio Times
  • 4 stars out of 4

    Politically oriented reconstruction of a bitter period of French colonial history, made better propaganda by its wealth of effective detail.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of The Battle Of Algiers

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  • 23 out of 25 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Rock the Casbah!!!

    Talk about ahead of its time!!! This films was one of the first portray arabs as not shifty, lowlifes but as heroes.

    I loved the grainy photography, the editing and the Morricone soundtrack is sparse and rhymic.

    Anyone who loves non-Hollywood classic will be fascinated in this film.

      • Gonzo Soul from Shoulder to Shouler, Woodbridge
  • Most recent members' review of The Battle Of Algiers

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    After living and working in Algiers for 4 years and hearing about the fight for independence from my co-workers it was very interesting to watch this film. Even though the language spoken in the film is a mixture of French and Arabic the English subtitles are well written to keep up with the flow of the film. Would have been better if they had shown more of the atrocities that he French committed during the unrest

      • Stephen#127 from RIPLEY
  • News and features

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    • 28 Jan 2008

    When politicians talk about the battle for hearts and minds in a conflict situation, they are usually talking about winning over the support of the local citizens caught in the war zone, though it could also apply to their own constituents, whose tacit approval allows the fighting to continue. In the Vietnam War, the phrase was a favourite of Lyndon Johnson, who believed that by supplying the Vietnamese with electricity and hope for a better future, the US could undermine support for the... Read more

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Rating breakdown

4,139 Member ratings
  • 100
861
  • 90
549
  • 80
810
  • 70
556
  • 60
457
  • 50
266
  • 40
153
  • 30
165
  • 20
210
  • 10
112

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    • The Battle Of Algiers
      The Battle Of Algiers authentically recreates the life-and-death struggle that took place in Algiers from 1954 to 1957, when the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) began a guerrilla war against the French, using terrorism. The French sent paratroopers, which led to a regrettable catalogue of ...