"Because of its perfect fusion of form and content, this is one of the most strikingly successful subversive films ever made. Its revolutionary fervour-though subtly muted by a compassionate humanism that embraces both camps-is pure and passionate. Without Pontecorvo's control over his plastic material, however, it would have remained ineffectual. Incredibly, this huge 'documentary' of the Algerian struggle against the French-street battles, bombings, riots, mass strikes, assassinations-was entirely staged, and made to resemble authentic newsreel shots by the use of high-contrast, high-grain film stock, hand-held cameras, and intentional jump-cuts. (The final) confrontation with the French military is classic in concept and execution and reminiscent of early Soviet cinema..." Amos Vogel