Department of History

One of the most influential political films in history. Gillo Pontecorvo's The Battle of algiers (La batalille d'Alger) vividly recreates a key year in the tumultuous Algerian struggle for independence from the occupying French in the 1950's. As viiolence escalates on both sides, children shoot soldiers at point-blank range, women plant bombs in cafes, and French soldiers resort to torture to break the will of the insurgents. Shot in the streets of algiers in documentary style, the film is a case study in modern warfare, with its terroist attacks and the brutal techniques used to combat them. The Criterion Collection is proud to present Gillo Pontecorvo's tour de force-a film wit astonishing relevance today.