The Battle of Algiers
dir. Gillo Pontecorvo · 1966
Conflict and violence ultimately degrade the humanity of all involved, regardless of their cause.
Plot
Paratrooper commander Colonel Mathieu, a former French Resistance fighter during World War II, is sent to Algeria to reinforce efforts to squelch the uprisings of the Algerian War. There he faces Ali la Pointe, a former petty criminal who, as the leader of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale, directs terror strategies against the colonial French government occupation. As each side resorts to ever-increasing brutality, no violent act is too unthinkable.
Why watch
"The Battle of Algiers" immerses viewers in the brutal realities of urban warfare, showcasing the harrowing consequences of colonialism and resistance. Its chilling depiction of the cyclical nature of violence and moral ambiguity challenges audiences to confront the price of freedom.