Realistic Film

Rating: 8/10 (16 December 2011)

Battle for Algiers is a realistic film. It doesn't do the disservice of making it a simplistic goodies and baddies type of flick. Instead of insulting the viewing audience, it gives the characters complexity. This makes it much easier to see things and just go along for the ride. The uprising against the French, just like any other conflict, would be impossible to simplify each group as being 'all this way'. During this film, it objectively shows the 'why' characters choose their paths. It doesn't advocate heavily one way or another. It leaves the viewer the option to make their own conclusions. Despite the documentary style imagery, no stock footage of the uprising was used.