The Battle of Algiers (La Battaile d’Algeri) [UK] (TheaterByte Blu-ray Review)

In recognition of the 50^th anniversary of its initial release, the widely acclaimed Italian-Algerian film, The Battle of Algiers, receives a 4K makeover in this reissue by Cult Films. Writer/director Gillo Pontecorvo delivers an unvarnished look at the 1954-57 fight for Algerian freedom from French colonialism. Native Algerians banded together in the Kasbah to form the National Liberation Front (FLN) and launch a guerilla-tactic insurgency against the French forces that lasted for three years. Shot on location in Algiers less than ten years after the last battle ended, this controversial film was banned in France for five years after its international release.

The insurgents led by Djafar (Yacef Saadi) go on a shooting spree leaving a trail of dead and wounded police officers in the streets. In response, the local French prefecture has declared martial law; the Kasbah is cordoned off and a curfew put into effect. A clandestine police operation plants explosives that destroy an entire block of the Kasbah, killing and wounding innocent people. Djafar sends out three women who will pass for French and they place deadly bombs at various popular locations around the city.

As the terrorism escalates, France sends its top paratrooper company led by Colonel Philippe Mathieu (Jean Martin) to find those responsible for the bombings as the FLN declares an 8-day strike. Mathieu rounds up and brutally interrogates Algerian men to get the identities of the FLN leaders and begins to circulate photos including those of Djafar and his lieutenant Ali La Pointe (Brahim Hadjadj) leading to the arrest of the former and death of the latter. The list of atrocities committed by both sides lengthens and are shown in the graphic details of gruesome torture sessions and wholesale machine-gunning of civilians on the street. In the face of what preceded it, the subsequent 1960 street fight between the Algerians and the soldiers is anticlimactic, as Algeria gains its freedom two years later.

Shot in a cinema verite style, Marcello Gatti’s cameras act as silent eye witnesses to the film’s titular struggle. Composer Ennio Morricone provides a score that enhances the visual impact to the on-screen violence. Seen in retrospect, the genius that went into the making of The Battle of Algiers is as evident today as it was during its award-winning premiere in 1966. With only one professional film actor (Martin) and former FLN leader (Yacef) playing an in-character part, the remaining cast members make this a realistic recreation of events that changed the history of a nation and accelerated the end of French colonialism.

[envira-album id=”109152″]

The Video

The black-and-white documentary approach has the requisite graininess that would have typified on-location films of that era. All things considered, it makes The Battle of Algiers look even more like a true account of the events of the times. The restoration wizards have done a brilliant job in taking the best source negatives and recreating the in-theater experience when the film first screened.

The Audio

There are three soundtracks: Italian/Arabic Dolby Digital Mono (48kHz/16-bit) and English Dolby Digital (48kHz/16-bit). While there is obvious compression, dialogue is clear and Morricone’s score comes across quite well.

The Supplements

 This release contains the following:

• DVD version of the film
• Booklet by Alan O’Leary.
• The Making of The Battle of Algiers: Interview with Gillo Pontecorvo (Italian LPCM Stereo 48kHz/16-bit) (18:29)
• The 4K Restoration Process with Marco Pontecorvo (Italian LPCM Stereo 48kHz/16-bit) (29:49)
• The Real Battle: Interview with producer Saadi Yacef, head of the FLN guerillas (French LPCM Stereo 48kHz/16-bit) (23:32)
• Our War for Freedom: Interview with FLN fighter Zohra Drif Bitat (French LPCM Stereo 48kHz/16-bit) (16:15)
• Interview with Director Paul Greengrass (English LPCM Stereo 48kHz/16-bit) (6:58)
• Interview with Director Ken Loach (English LPCM Stereo 48kHz/16-bit) (5:53)

The Final Assessment

The Battle of Algiers was groundbreaking for its realistic depiction of guerrilla warfare. The combination of top-of-the-tree direction, cinematography, and action makes this a must-see film that, given the current world conditions is just as relevant today as it was half a century ago. Highly recommended

The Battle of Algiers is out on Blu-ray + DVD Dual Format release from CultFilms in the UK 5 February 2018

[youtube httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpXQvzFRw4A&w=854&h=480]

[amazon_auto_links id=”109153″]

3.8 / 5 TheaterByte Rating

{{ reviewsOverall }} / 5 User Rating (0 votes)

UK:15Rating Certificate

Casbah Films | Igor Films | Cult FilmsStudios & Distributors

Gillo PontecorvoDirector

Gillo Pontecorvo | Frqnco SolinasWriter

120 Mins.Run Time

$31.99MSRP

5 Feb. 2018Release Date

1.85:1Aspect Ratio

AVC 1080pVideo

French LPCM MonoAudio

EnglishSubtitles

Italian LPCM MonoSecondary Audio

The Creative Content

The Video

The Audio

The Supplements

Summary

The people of Algiers rise up to cast out their French colonizers during the 1950s in this visceral 1966 film. CultFilms offers up a stunning restoration on Blu-ray of the landmark film that brought the reality of the Algerian revolution onto worldwide screens with the impact of a you-are-there documentary.

What people say... Login to rate

Order by: Most recent Top score Most helpful Worst score

Be the first to leave a review.

Verified

{{{ review.rating_title }}}

{{{review.rating_comment | nl2br}}}

Replies ({{review.rating_replies.length}})

This review has no replies yet.

Show more

Show more

{{ pageNumber+1 }}