A brilliant political film

Rating: Null/10 (25 May 2002)

The Battle of Algiers is the film on terrorism and its impact on a people and a particular region. In light of September 11, 2001, it is very current and immediate. Although many individuals write much about its objectivity and accuracy, it is a product of the 1960's about a national liberation struggle of the 1950's. It reflects the concerns of the Sixties very well--the romantic notion of the revolution and the beauty and horror of violence . . . It is a brilliantly constructed political film. One should be aware that it is a political statement by the director and the writer on the necessity of struggle and the striving for freedom on the part of an entire people. It has a definite viewpoint--"for" the Algerians and "against" the French. However, it wisely humanizes the French, and shows the honor of "Le Colonel Matthieu" and the humanity of other Frenchmen (Spoiler: the French policeman who protects an Arab youngster from an angry mob of French citizens after a bombing at the horsetrack). I would recommend this film to anyone who seeks to understand the terrorist . . .