The Battle of Algiers

Rating: 6/10 (9 April 2012)

I definitely would have never watched this Algerian/Italian film if I hadn't seen it featured in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die book, it was a title that sounded like it could be interesting as well. Basically, shot in documentary style and commissioned by the Algerian government, this film sees the guerrilla war between the French foreign legion and the Algerians between 1954 and 1962. We see the battle from both sides, as the French were defeated in Vietnam and want to prove their worth, while the Algerians want independence, so the military forces from both sides are sending in weaponry and bombs to claim their victory. We see the bad things that happen to those who were part of, and some innocents that were, until the final conclusion when Algeria won the war and achieved their independence. Starring Yacef Saadi as Saari Kader/Djafar, Jean Martin as Col. Mathieu, Brahim Haggiag as Ali La Pointe, Tommaso Neri as Captain, Samia Kerbash as Fathia, Fusia El Kader as Halima, Ugo Paletti as Captain and Mohamed Ben Kassen as Petit Omar. I will be honest and say that the story, if there was meant to be one, was a bit too complicated for me most of the time, the only scenes I can really remember are the various attack, torture and fighting scenes, so for those I can agree it is a watchable political war drama. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Director for Gillo Pontecorvo, Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen and Best Foreign Language Film, and it won the BAFTA UN Award. Good, in my opinion!