The Battle of Algiers (1966)
"La battaglia di Algeri" (original title)

An account of the bloodiest revolution in modern history.

Director:

Gillo Pontecorvo

Writers:

Gillo Pontecorvo, Franco Solinas

Stars:

Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Brahim Hadjadj	...	Ali La Pointe (as Brahim Haggiag)
Jean Martin	...	Col. Mathieu
Yacef Saadi	...	Djafar (as Saadi Yacef)
Samia Kerbash	...	One of the girls
Ugo Paletti	...	Captain
Fusia El Kader	...	Halima
Omar
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mohamed Ben Kassen	...	Petit Omar

Storyline

A film commissioned by the Algerian government that shows the Algerian revolution from both sides. The French foreign legion has left Vietnam in defeat and has something to prove. The Algerians are seeking independence. The two clash. The torture used by the French is contrasted with the Algerian's use of bombs in soda shops. A look at war as a nasty thing that harms and sullies everyone who participates in it.

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Plot Keywords:

algerian | french | independence | bomb | torture | 

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Taglines:

The Revolt that Stirred the World!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Distributor

Country:

Italy Algeria

Language:

French Italian English Arabic

Release Date:

20 September 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Battle of Algiers

Filming Locations:

Algeria

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$64,870 (USA) (9 January 2004)

Gross:

$815,345 (USA) (10 September 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Igor Film, Casbah Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to French government figures, there were 236,000 Algerian Muslims serving in the French Army in 1962 (four times more than in the FLN), either in regular units (Spahis and Tirailleurs) or as irregulars (harkis and moghaznis). Some estimates suggest that, with their families, the indigenous Muslim loyalists may have numbered as many as 1 million. They are not portrayed in this film.

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Goofs

Ali's first assignment is to assault a police officer. During this, the cop's hat falls to the ground, and the position of the hat changes between cuts.

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Quotes

Journalist: The law's often inconvenient, Colonel.
Col. Mathieu: And those who explode bombs in public places, do they respect the law perhaps? When you put that question to Ben M'Hidi, remember what he said?

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Connections

Referenced in Starting Out in the Evening (2007)

User Reviews

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.