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The Battle Of Algiers
1965
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: , Watch Online: |
| 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 |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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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.
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Politically oriented reconstruction of a bitter period of French colonial history, made better propaganda by its wealth of effective detail.
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Most helpful member's review
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23 out of 25 people found this review helpful
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. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
A Nation struggles for Freedom!
It took an Italian Director (Gillo Pontecorvo) to make this brave film about the French Army fighting Algerians in the final years before independence was granted to their former colony in North Africa.
'La battaglia di Algeri' was apparently banned for a while in France as the events depicted had taken place less than ten years before the film was made.
There are some excellent reviews of this special movie which was made in a semi documentary style, made more authentic by being filmed in black and white. The scenes are very realistic and there is no real attempt to take sides, merely show how futile the mutual aggression was.
It's edited in a fast moving and dramatic fashion and the score by Ennio Morrecone is haunting and appropriate.
Jean Martin is dramatic as the ruthless Colonel Mathieu who realises that no matter what success his anti-terrorism tactics have, they will eventually fail to subdue the native protests for freedom from France.
This is a must watch for anyone interested in this post World War II struggle for independence in the Algerian civil war, only surpassed by Anthony Quinn’s performance in ‘Lost Command’, also made in 1966. Definitely worth the cost of a DVD hire and two hours of your time. -
News and features
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Battle For Haditha
- 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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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 ...
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