The Battle of Algiers (1966)

In the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government.

Director:

Gillo Pontecorvo

Writers:

Franco Solinas, Franco Solinas (story) (as F. Solinas)

Stars:

Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean Martin	...	Col. Mathieu
Yacef Saadi	...	Djafar (as Saadi Yacef)
Brahim Hadjadj	...	Ali La Pointe (as Brahim Haggiag)
Tommaso Neri	...	Captain
Samia Kerbash	...	Fathia
Ugo Paletti	...	Captain
Fusia El Kader	...	Halima
Franco Moruzzi	...	(as Franco Morici)
Mohamed Ben Kassen	...	Petit Omar

Storyline

A film commissioned by the Algerian government that shows the Algerian revolution from both sides. The French foreign legion has left Vietnam in defeat and has something to prove. The Algerians are seeking independence. The two clash. The torture used by the French is contrasted with the Algerian's use of bombs in soda shops. A look at war as a nasty thing that harms and sullies everyone who participates in it.

---

Plot Keywords:

algeria | resistance | struggle for independence | underground fighting | algiers algeria | 

---

Taglines:

The French Colonel...who was forced even to torture! One of the many women...who stopped at nothing to win! The Algerian Street Boy...who became a rebel hero!

---

Genres:

Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Algeria Italy

Language:

French Arabic English

Release Date:

20 September 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Battle of Algiers

Filming Locations:

Algeria

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$64,870, 11 January 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$55,908, 6 January 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Casbah Film,Igor Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was very rarely shown in France until recently, and the torture scenes were cut in the US and UK.

---

Goofs

Ali's first assignment is to assault a police officer. During this, the cop's hat falls to the ground, and the position of the hat changes between cuts.

---

Quotes

Col. Mathieu: The word "torture" doesn't appear in our orders. We've always spoken of interrogation as the only valid method in a police operation directed against unknown enemies. As for the NLF, they request that their members, in the event of capture, should maintain silence for twenty-four hours, and then they may talk. So, the organization has already had the time it needs to render any information useless. What type of interrogation should we choose, the one the courts use for a murder case, that drags...

---

Connections

Referenced in Marxist Poetry: The Making of 'The Battle of Algiers' (2004)

---

Soundtracks

St. Matthew Passion BWV 244, 1st movement
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

Masterpiece with Historical Accuracy

Capturing a historic incident/moment with extraordinary accuracy makes a film truly beautiful, painful, and masterful. With the tradition of Italian Neo Realism and French New Wave - i.e. shooting in location and casting nonprofessional actors, The Battle of Algiers harshly seals the ugly realities of both French Legion and Algerian Guerillas - i.e. indiscriminate bombs, tortures, and scapegoats. Ennio Morricone composed one of his early successful scores.