The Battle of Algiers: Historically Significant and Masterfully Captured

The Battle of Algiers is a movie that’s been on the top of my watch list for some time and this week I finally got around to watching it. It was well worth the anticipation. I don’t remember being so impressed by a movie for some time; such is its power, authenticity, provocative imagery and historical significance.

The Battle of Algiers is based on the Algerian war of the 1950’s that led to the country’s eventual independence from French rule in 1962. It focuses specifically on a three year period, 1954-57. During this time we see the uprising of the Algerian FLN (National Liberation Front) using terrorist tactics, and the French “mission accomplished” with the capture of Ali la Pointe, the last surviving head of the FLN. Don’t worry there’s no spoiler here as we see the 1957 capture in the opening scene before going back to Ali la Pointe’s recruitment in 1954. While la Pointe’s story provides a convenient timeframe, the protagonist is essentially the FLN body as a whole with no character taking a central role. On the French side we do have Colonel Mathieu who heads up the military operation. He’s played by Jean Martin, the only actor of note in the movie. Apart from a few smaller names in central roles, the rest of the cast is made up of nonprofessional actors. Many play themselves, while Saadi Yasef who fought in the uprising and wrote the memoirs on which the screenplay was based, plays one of the head members of the FLN. Even Jean Martin has some roots in the movie as a former paratrooper in Indochina and member of the French resistance during WW2.

Saadi Yasef wrote his book while being detained by the French. It was intended as propaganda to encourage the continued uprising. After his release, he received the backing of the Algerian government for a movie adaptation and approached several directors. Italian Gillo Pontecorvo was the only one who showed an interest. Together with writer Franco Solinas he developed a screenplay which tells the story from both sides, remaining relatively neutral throughout. At times the screenplay seems sympathetic and unsympathetic to both causes.

What makes The Battle of Algiers so impressive is its neorealistic style. It looks and feels like a documentary or news footage throughout. The use of non-actors and authentic locations apply a genuinely realistic feel, as does Pontecorvo’s shooting through a telephoto lens. Video surveillance cameras, news broadcasts, press conferences and megaphone announcements, while all completely staged convince us that we’re hearing the story first hand. Riots, demonstrations and machine gun fire in the streets seem like newsreel footage. It’s such a seamless flow when we witness intelligence briefings, clandestine resistance meetings, scenes of torture, public bombings and assassinations that we feel a heightened sense of authenticity.

The newsreel style was entirely convincing, so much so that the original US release carried the disclaimer that “not one foot” of newsreel was used. Similarly the direction of such an amateur cast and the large scale crowds are done to great effect. The score provides an added feel of authenticity, employing African drums at several key tense moments and an orchestral composition to parallel the more harrowing moments. Background noise is especially noticeable, with helicopter sounds, gun fire and chanting crowds adding to the inconvenient documentary feel.

The Battle of Algiers earned three Oscar nominations – Best Foreign Movie in 1967 and Best Director and Best Original Screenplay in 1969. It’s a movie that has maintained its relevance some 40 years later. Not only has it supposedly been used by the IRA and Black Panthers as a lesson in urban guerrilla warfare and terrorism it also received a much publicized Pentagon screening in 2003 as part of the effort against similar tactics in Iraq.

The Battle of Algiers is a shocking and harrowing movie. It might not be violent by today’s movie standards but its subject and depiction makes for extremely disturbing viewing at times. Educationally it does offer great insight into insurgent efforts and the controversial methods used to suppress them. It certainly offers a better understanding of global conflicts today.

Verdict: 5 Stars Essential Viewing