Resonates today

Rating: Null/10 (25 January 2004)

An authentic and riveting movie that certainly will strike a lot of familiar chords, given all that is happening in the Middle East. Though the filmmaker probably sympathized with the Algerians, this movie does not present a particularly sympathetic portrayal of the FLN and Arab side. Indeed, in some respects it is an indictment of terrorism and it most certainly does not glorify the use of violence. The main players on the Arab side are shown to be callous if not murderous, and the French commander, while ruthless, is by no means a stick figure. A most informative and realistic movie, surprisingly objective--and I speak as a person who, believe me, was not rooting for the Algerians even once!