A Modern Classic On Chaos and Conflict

Rating: Null/10 (23 March 2013)

One of the few films that need to be experienced first and then talked about, The Battle of Algiers is a modern masterpiece which transports the willing viewer into the middle of a conflict between some men designated by as terrorists and government forces; the director used no documentary footage, most of his actors were untrained, and yet one easily believes the intense immersion into chaos as two opposing forces utilize their own methods to force change.
The truths to be found here are in human behavior, and if the situation rings true, it's because more than forty years ago, Pontecorvo zeroed in on newly developing methods of conflict--on justified torture, on women as warriors, on misdirected nationalism and inflexible morality; this film is as timely as if it were made last week. It is ineffably exciting, dynamic and truthful, a film worthy of the name "classic."