The Battle of Algiers

Original title: La battaglia di Algeri

1966
X
2h 1m

IMDb RATING

8.1/10

70K

YOUR RATING

Brahim Hadjadj and Jean Martin in The Battle of Algiers (1966)

THE REVOLT THAT STIRRED THE WORLD!

Director Gillo Pontecorvo's highly acclaimed masterpiece THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS is regarded as one of modern cinema's finest achievements. Now, Digitally RE-MASTERED IN HIGH DEFINITION from restored archive elements approved by the filmmakers, this all-time classic release of Â“The Battle Of AlgiersÂ” also commemorates
the 50th anniversary of Algerian independence. This new HD version includes some previously unseen footage,
making this the most complete edition ever anywhere.

SPECIAL FEATURES
EXCLUSIVE PRESENTATION & INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR KEN LOACH
EXCLUSIVE PRESENTATION BY DIRECTOR PAUL GREENGRASS (Bourne films)
THE MAKING OF THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS An exclusive interview with Director Gillo Pontecorvo
THE REAL BATTLE OF ALGIERS
Interview with Producer & protagonist SAADI YACEF, head of FLN guerrillas
OUR WAR FOR FREEDOM
Interview with FLN fighter ZOHRA DRIF BITAT (the Milk Bar bomber portrayed in the film)
PHOTO GALLERIES From filmmakerÂ’s personal archives
FILM TRAILERS, Theatrical and Argent Trailer
ALSO INCLUDED A SPECIAL BOOKLET Â“ITALIANS IN ALGIERS; An essay by author-scholar David Forgacs, Professor at NYU, on the remarkable genesis of the film and how it was shaped by both the award-winning Italian filmmakers and its ex-guerrilla Algerian producer, whose memoir the film is based on.

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Docudrama Political Drama Drama War

In the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government.In the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government.In the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.1/10

70K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Top rated movie #242

Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 9 wins & 8 nominations total

Ali La Pointe
(as Brahim Haggiag)

Jean Martin

Col. Mathieu

Yacef Saadi

Djafar
(as Saadi Yacef)

Samia Kerbash

Fathia

Ugo Paletti

Captain

Fouzia El Kader

Halima
(as Fusia El Kader)

Mohamed Ben Kassen

Petit Omar
(as Petit Omar)

Si Mohamed Baghdadi

Larbi Ben M'hidi
(uncredited)

Franco Moruzzi

Mahmoud
(uncredited)

Tommaso Neri

Captain
(uncredited)

Rouiched

The Drunk Man
(uncredited)

Gene Wesson

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
One of the few films in Oscar® history to be a nominee in two separate non-consecutive years. It was a foreign film nominee for 1966 and then a nominee for screenplay and direction for 1968.

Goofs
In the final scenes, showing the mass street protests, the French police are backed up by armored vehicles that are Soviet-made SU-100 tank destroyers. These were part of the Algerian military when the film was made in 1966 after independence, but would not have been present or used by the French at any time.

Quotes
Ben M'Hidi: It's hard to start a revolution. Even harder to continue it. And hardest of all to win it. But, it's only afterwards, when we have won, that the true difficulties begin. In short, Ali, there's still much to do.

Crazy credits
The credits for the French release, which are used for contemporary versions of the film, differ from the credits in the original Italian release. In the original credits, Brahim Hadjadj is below Jean Martin and Yacef Saadi, Tommaso Neri is billed as one of the leads, Franco Moruzzi is credited, and Samia Kerbash is given the surname "Michele". The French release gives Hadjadj top billing, removes Neri and Moruzzi from the credits, and refers to Kerbash by her correct surname.

Connections
Edited into Kommando Leopard (1985)

Soundtracks
St. Matthew Passion BWV 244, 1st movement
(1727)
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

User reviews334

Featured review

8/10

Masterpiece with Historical Accuracy

Capturing a historic incident/moment with extraordinary accuracy makes a film truly beautiful, painful, and masterful. With the tradition of Italian Neo Realism and French New Wave - i.e. shooting in location and casting nonprofessional actors, The Battle of Algiers harshly seals the ugly realities of both French Legion and Algerian Guerillas - i.e. indiscriminate bombs, tortures, and scapegoats. Ennio Morricone composed one of his early successful scores.