Objective filmmaking

Rating: 10/10 (15 December 2011)

Interesting film, maybe a little confusing for audiences unfamiliar with "independent filmmaking". The story is so well told that you don't even need to understand the language to get it.
I think it was a very wise move by the Pontecorvo to show different attitudes in the characters on the Algerian side. Even though they were all fighting for the same cause, it was good to see a representation of the different types of members of the movement. Some wouldn't sacrifice anyone's life and some others were complete extremists, willing to die and kill anyone for the cause.
There are some very memorable scenes in this film, like when a group of women sets out to place bombs in strategic points of the French area. Another great scene happens when Ali La Pointe is hiding behind a wall with other members of the Algerian moment. The tension can be touched as they wait the impending explosion of a bomb that will kill them.