The Battle of Algiers

Excellent film. Was required viewing for the U.S. State Dept and DOD as we were led into the Iraq War.

I really cannot understand the popel that votet negatively here. I mean there is no mistake in this film except telling the truth about war.

Fairly compelling war-drama that is well-filmed and scored though doesn't maintain its freshness.

(Mauro Lanari) Mai sopportato il neorealismo: a mio parere non è questo il nostro grande cinema del dopoguerra, e infatti l'ho sempre accuratament'evitato. L'intero genere è simile all'Impressionismo: mera conseguenza d'un'invenzione tecnica che ha permesso agl'autori d'uscire dagli studi pittorici e dai teatri di posa, m'applicat'a una poetica che trovo acerbamente repulsiva, respingente: fosse proseguito il risibile calco d'una quotidianità sotto e davanti agl'occhi di tutti, Fellini avrebbe continuato a inanellare inutili Oscar senza mai giungere al realismo magico.

Personally, I can't see the beauty and quality of this film. I recognize the ability to be objective and rigorous in the report made, and it is quite unusual to find a film that resembles both a documentary or a major journalistic report. However, the way it was conceived and its high-contrast cinematography make the experience of watching the film truly tiring. Directed and written by Gillo Pontecorvo, the film addresses, in very broad lines, the effort of the Algerians to resist French colonization and conquer the independence of their country, in one of the most striking colonial conflicts that France faced. However, the way the film approaches the subject could not be worse: instead of building a fictional story on top of historical facts, the narrative is dispersed and, if most of the time we follow in the footsteps of a specific Algerian terrorist, the script proved to be unable to focus on this story and to avoid unreasonable or accessory considerations. Furthermore, and while the film tries to be neutral, the sympathy for the revolutionaries is evident. The cast is satisfactory, but it's made up of names I don't know. Brahim Hadjadj brought to life the most notable character in the film, a member of the Algerian resistance, and was happy in his effort. Technically, it is an uneven film, with a neo-realistic aesthetic, but an excessively crude cinematography, of high contrast, tiring for the eyes. The sets and costumes are fine and the film is quite authentic, and the soundtrack does not bring anything remarkable.