The Battle of Algiers

The first European film to treat the explosive subject of colonialism and wars of liberation, The Battle of Algiers probably remains the most powerful. Gillo Pontecorvo’s exciting reconstruction of the Algerian rebellion against the French centers on Ali La Pointe, the National Liberation Front leader who conducts the campaign of rebellion while dodging the relentless and merciless French Colonel Mathieu. A flashback format and newsreel “documentary” precision—though it was, incredibly, entirely staged—give a palpable sense of inevitability to the terrible violence, but also to its result. Along with choral music, organ, and Algerian drumming, Ennio Morricone’s score uses a propulsive snare drum–backed theme to represent the French occupying forces, while Ali’s lyrical theme originates on the pan flute, evoking the breath, body, and humanity of the struggle. “Because of its perfect fusion of form and content, this is one of the most strikingly successful subversive films ever made” (Amos Vogel).