Complete emotional detachment and void of any character development. This film is so underwhelming that it made me strongly dislike the so called protagonists and root heavily for the French.

Crude Fiml that with a documentary style makes clear that brutal violence in managing the investigation allows French paratroops to win rebels. However that is without sense since Revolution is only delaied. Best of best

One of my letterboxd top four also the greatest movie ever made masterpiece ❤️

This movie may be important for anyone interested in Algerian or French history, but it's not a good movie. The screenwriters did not bother to provide the characters with backstories that explain their motivations or provide viewers with reasons to care about them as people. Given that the lead characters that we presumably are supposed to empathize with are terrorists who deliberately kill many, many innocent civilians, that would have been a good thing to do. Instead, characters pop up, do things for reasons that aren't well explained, and then are arrested or blown up or whatever.

Gillo Pontecorvo ha plasmato un'opera senza tempo con "La Battaglia di Algeri", un film avvincente che cattura autenticamente la struggente lotta del Fronte di Liberazione Nazionale (FLN) contro la colonizzazione francese. L'approccio realistico di Pontecorvo è un tuffo nel cuore di questa epica battaglia, trasformando la storia in un'esperienza palpabile e coinvolgente. Il regista adotta un realismo sorprendente, usando volti espressivi e una tecnica documentaristica che getta uno sguardo senza veli sulla brutalità della guerra. Il bianco e nero, curato con maestria da Marcello Gatti, e la colonna sonora coinvolgente di Ennio Morricone si fondono magistralmente, creando un'atmosfera intensa che avvolge lo spettatore dall'inizio alla fine. La maestria di Pontecorvo si manifesta nell'equilibrio impeccabile tra le prospettive, evitando semplificazioni e regalando allo spettatore una visione articolata e completa della storia. Ogni scena racconta una storia indimenticabile, ogni inquadratura unisce dramma e profondità psicologica, dando vita a personaggi iconici come Ali La Pointe e il colonnello francese Mathieu. Il film riflette sull'assurdità della guerra, del terrore e della violenza, presentando entrambi i lati senza pregiudizi. Pontecorvo si distingue per la sua capacità di mettere in discussione gli stereotipi, offrendo una visione senza compromessi della complessità umana. "La Battaglia di Algeri" è un trionfo cinematografico, una testimonianza della potenza dell'arte nel dare voce alla storia in modo straordinario. Con maestria tecnica e narrazione coinvolgente, Pontecorvo ha forgiato un capolavoro che va oltre i confini geografici e le barriere temporali. Il film continua a suscitare riflessioni intense, dimostrando la potenza dell'arte nel raccontare la storia in modo accessibile e coinvolgente. In conclusione, "La Battaglia di Algeri" è un'opera cinematografica senza tempo, un viaggio emozionante attraverso la storia che lascia un'impronta indelebile nella memoria dello spettatore. Un'esperienza visiva e narrativa che va oltre la semplice visione, trasportando il pubblico in un mondo di tensione, speranza e tragica bellezza.

Director Gillo Pontecorvo raised the bar forever on movie making with the Battle of Algiers. An almost completely amateur cast, pulled from the streets of Algiers, many who had lived themselves through the uprising against their French colonizers, the movie has an inescapably compelling authenticity. Coupled with a musical score, also with an assist by Pontecorvo, that immediately pulls you in and never lets you go. Unlike almost anything made today, the film takes no sides, but rather presents the story as it unfolded in a documentary style. Are you for the independence fighters or the authorities, and how far is too far for each to go in achieving independence or in maintaining peace. Terrorism? Torture? You'll find no easy answer here. But there are answers plain and simple. Today, on the Freedom Index, Algeria is in the bottom 1/3 of countries in freedom in the category "repressed," while France is in the top 1/3 in the category "mostly free." Algerian's "freedom" fighters in the end purchased oppression with their blood and treasure. The film makers even allude to the difficulty of governing and the uncertainty of revolution in the words of one of the leaders himself, "it is hard to start a revolution, and even harder to keep it going. But the greatest difficulty is in what comes after." Although these lessons come mainly outside of the movie, the movie itself, is an absolute masterpiece.

If you would like to more about what was happening in Algiers, this is a good one to have a grasp of it.

one of kind for the history of cinema

Going into my initial viewing of "The Battle of Algiers", I knew I was about to witness not just an important piece of world cinema but I did not expect to find such depth and timeless appeal that assaulted me all at once! The Director, Gillo Pontecorvo, is thought of as one of Italy's most acclaimed Directors and this is his masterpiece! Like his early films, "The Battle of Algiers" utilizes a documentary feel and realism but is edited together so wonderfully, that it flows off the screen and bombards the viewer with It's wealth. The film examines the film's title but has a multitude of perseved angles and intentions in what it portrays and to whom. While many, including the U.S. have had subsequent viewings as not just a cautionary tale but one of combating guerilla warfare, to me I saw a brutal fight for freedom and independence above all else! The Algerian's, who played all but the two French officers in the film, were having to go to more and more extreme acts as the French did in order to crush the revolt. We start at the end, then proceed to the genesis of the protagonist and his rough and meaningless upbringing to fighting as a leader of his own people in a battle for the countries freedom and that of it's people. The film is a gut wrenching and morally haunting film on both sides and is wonderfully balanced and portrayed, representing the horrors but also the humanity at the heart of people. I acknowledge this as truly moving and essential cinema that is utterly captivating and will leave you dwelling on what you viewed and all the ground it covered along the way.

Best movie of all time

What began as a neorealist grassroots political document grows more boring by the minute until it becomes an unbearable tale of terrorism and revolution. 1/10

Astonishing this was made back in 1966, there is little that doesn't feel properly up to date. Must admit I know little about the fight against colonialism in Algeria, but it felt to me watching this as if the (Italian) producers were trying to make this as even-handed as possible (as in completely neutral, I have no idea what the balance of atrocities were in reality), so it's interesting to read about the Algerian involvement and the back and forth between them and the producers on the wikipedia page. In a way this feels like it could be substituted for independence battles in many other places.

The Battle of Algiers is probably the most realistic film to capture the true nature of armed conflict. Shot in stark black and white with handheld cameras, The Battle of Algiers looks and feels like a newsreel documentary, effectively capturing the essence of guerilla warfare as Algerians battle French colonization in an effort to reclaim their country. Those seeking out a war film that features a defined plot with clearly drawn characters will no doubt be disappointed by this movie. This is a gritty film that puts the audience in the middle of the action as the downtrodden citizens fight to regain what they have lost, namely autonomy and freedom.

An all-time favorite, for sure, and a treat to watch this with different eyes after living for seven years in a very different corner of the Arab world. Watching it now really felt to me like looking in on the cinematic high point of national liberation struggles, filmed at a time when those struggles were not in the rearview mirror. What I noticed this time, that I didn't remember: somehow I remembered the movie as the story of the FLN's eventual victory, in spite of adversity. What I didn't remember so clearly was the intensely interpersonal violence, on both sides ... along with the dense and sometimes hazy visuals of narrow Casbah neighborhoods, a feeling of solidarity with the liberation fighters goes is accompanied by something queasy. There was a lot going on here in terms of gender, which didn't necessarily jump out to me the first time, as well as the role of Islam and social issues.

It's a classic and really does a good job at feeling grimy and in the moment. The narrative itself isn't too mind blowing and the storytelling isn't as ahead of the curve as the cinematography, but it's still a thoroughly engaging film worthy of praise.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of "The Battle of Algiers," there is no denying how truly revolutionary it is, especially for its time. The film uses documentary-like footage throughout and it comes off as disturbingly realistic. I wouldn't say this is always the easiest movie to get through, but its attention to detail is worth watching for people who appreciate the artistic side of the film. The conflict itself has a lot of moving parts, and it is a movie I could probably benefit from watching again, even though it is not a rewatch I would seek out often since the subject matter is pretty bleak. Overall, it is a film I definitely liked, but even more so, a film I admire and appreciate for its stylistic choices.

A stunning movie shot in a shaky, grainy, documentary style that shows a fictionalised but authentic portrayal of events surrounding the uprising against French colonial rule in Algeria of a few years before. Shot on location and made using largely non-acting cast members, many of whom were in the city at the time of the war, this is still one of the most realistic depictions of 20th century conflict brought to the screen. It feels raw and visceral and manages to weave together complex strands and the viewpoints of the main protagonists in a supremely skilful manner.

Fantastically realistic depiction of "terrorists" or "freedom fighters" rising up against colonial rule. Banned in France for many years because of its unsparing depiction of the methods of torture used by the French to interrogate FLN prisoners. But it would be unfair to say the film was one sided: it also showed the innocent dead and injured following various bomb attacks. And the haunting music is by Morricone. What's not to like here!

"The Battle of Algiers" is a beautiful film about Algeria's resistance to French occupation. Although it was made in 1966 and took place in the 1930s-1940s, many of this film's themes and ideas are just as significant in today's society. Even if you don't end up loving it, this film is another must-see

Landmark example of cinematic realism. Superbly made depiction of the follies of colonialism.