Black-and-white cinematography as haunting as any fiction epic of the era - very interesting indeed

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2004)

This is a new print of the celebrated documentary about the 195462 Algerian war of independence. Although made in 1965, the Pentagon screened it last year to demonstrate what soldiers might face during occupation of Iraq. And organisations like the Black Panthers have used it as a training video in guerrilla-style warfare.
Co-writer and co-producer Saadi Yacef, who also stars, based the film on his experiences as the military leader of the Algierian FLN (National Liberation Front) during that time. Director Gillo Pontecorvo, who was heavily influenced by neorealist Italian director Rosselini, was also a communist activist during WWII.
Despite their credentials, the film falls short of being propaganda. The Battle of Algiers is a black-and-white masterpiece, with scenes so realistic it is difficult to believe they were scripted and re-shot years after the war had ended, albeit in the same locations
Pontecorvo pioneers the use of hand-held camera and other techniques to create immediacy. The score, by Ennio Morricone and Yacef, enhances the film, interweaving percussive themes with traditional Arabic melody. The cast is made up of Ali La Pointe (played by the charismatic Brahim Haggiag), an illiterate youth who becomes the revolution's posterchild, and military commander Ali Kader (Yacef). The only professional actor in the cast, Jean Martin, is Colonel Matthieu, the efficient, hardline head of the French paratroopers brought in to quell the uprising. This film will engage you, emotionally and intellectually. I left wanting to know more. ****/***** stars.