From Deseret News archives:
Battle of Algiers
Film review
"Battle of Algiers" looks and sounds authentic. In fact, its opening scene appears to be documentary footage of French soldiers suppressing the Algerian uprising during the mid-1950s and early '60s.
Of course, what real footage there is in the movie actually appears toward the end. And then it's blended in seamlessly with the fictionalized re-creations; you almost can't tell the difference.
The end result is extremely convincing, and it's one of the reasons why this little-seen at least recently 1965 dramatic thriller has been given a re-release by Rialto Pictures, a specialty distributor.
Another reason, of course, is because the film's ruminations about the meaning of terrorism and efforts to deal with it really resonate in the post-9/11 world. That makes this already-tense film all the more chilling and all the more memorable.
Prominently figuring in the revolt is Ali La Pointe (Brahim Haggiag), one of the leaders of the FLN, an organization responsible for a series of assassinations and terrorist bombings intended to send a message to the French government. His counterpart on the other side is Col. Mathieu (Jean Martin), a World War II veteran with a mandate to stop the FLN by any means necessary.
Pontecorvo and co-screenwriter Franco Solinas do their best to present the story in an objective manner, leaving audiences to decide where their sympathies lie. (That initially made the film very controversial; it was even banned in France at one point.)
There are also some strong performances: Haggiag is charismatic, and, as the French army leader, Martin has a commanding presence. Adding to the heightened tension is yet another stirring Ennio Morricone score.
"Battle of Algiers" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for scenes of violence (shootings, riot suppression, acts of terrorism and explosive mayhem), scattered use of profanity and ethnic slurs, a scene of torture and brief gore. Running time: 121 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Brahim Haggiag, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi; in black and white; in French and Arabic, with English subtitles
Find a Movie Theater
- Blog: Melon heads 7:01 p.m.
- UT Co. surveyor, recorder salaries set 6:56 p.m.
- Penguin exhibit pushed back 6:53 p.m.
- Proposal to skip 12th grade now a bill 6:50 p.m.
- Budget cuts spare public education 6:46 p.m.
- Plans call for 2nd waste site 6:39 p.m.
- School vending machine bill fizzles 6:34 p.m.
- Provo gets high marks in survey 6:19 p.m.
- Collie hailed as role model 6:05 p.m.
- Leaders look to clean up Depot Dist. 6:04 p.m.
- High school players commit to BYU
- Utah Jazz Ironmen
- LDS veggie program helps Bolivians
- Teacher merit pay debated
- Utahn's 'Caveman Diet' catching on
- SLC's City Creek moves ahead
- MWC race shaping 'Survivor' style
- Kaman, not Boozer, on All-Star team
- Cougars hope for fast rebound
- 2nd Layton girl hospitalized from gas
- UNLV bombs BYU into loss
185 - Teacher merit pay debated
184 - Why do they hate us? Try asking
153 - Countering attacks on LDS scholarship
149 - Letters: Tea Party hypocrites
119 - Rally in opposition to benefit cuts
90 - High school players commit to BYU
82 - Utah football alters schedule
80 - White House mocks Sarah Palin
78 - Let's talk college hoops
77
All Sundance all the time. People, photos, parties ... and Park City, too.
New films in theaters this week: "Broken Embraces"; "Crazy Heart"; "Dear...
So if the cold weather across this country keeps going, that’s evidence...
Yeah! And while they're at it make women shower with the men, if they're...
I'm so not excited. I sure wish our elected officials would listen to their...
I don't know the details, but it appears this bill may hurt the validity of...
Was invented for President Obama, He is the only one to use such a...
An exchange student from Finland has told my parent that she does not start...
Thier are no words to bring you back..That man that killed you.Well hes in...
Great article...so much better than another I read today. Magic happens....
LOL! I love what Cougarin Boston has said. It is so true! That aside, I am...
I would like to take my wife and try their fabulous chocolates. What time do...






You can be the first to comment on this story.