The IMDB Project #222 - The Battle of Algiers

By Jaymeetee on Apr 8, 11 11:35 AM

A very current classic

The Battle of Algiers is a film based around the French occupation of Algeria and follows a group of revolutionaries and their fight for freedom of the capital city Algiers. It also balances the story by showing the French side of the story. We travel with the group as they use terrorism to make their point and battle against the French control of their country and we see the tactics implemented by the army.

The film is intense to sum in one word, it's also as current now as it was when made. With the uprising in the middle east at present this film shows the plight of the small against the mighty.

Shot in a documentary style in gritty black and white this shows a true side to war and occupation and reveals some hard to watch moments of the extremes these guys and girls went through to be heard.

If you like tense classic films then I'd have a watch, this is regarded as an important film for democracy the world over so if you are interested in current affairs I'd give it a go also. It is however subtitled and contains some pretty graphic scenes so not for the faint hearted!

IMDB Fact: In 2003, the New York Times reported that the Pentagon screened this film for officers and civilian experts who were discussing the challenges faced by the US military forces in Iraq. The flier inviting guests to the screening read: "How to win a battle against terrorism and lose the war of ideas".