Capital Celluloid 2016 - Day 233: Sun Aug 21

The Battle of Algiers (Pontecorvo, 1966): BFI Southbank, NFT3, 3pm


The Battle of Algiers (which is also being screened on August 22nd) is part of a Big Screen Classics season at BFI Southbank. Full details here.

Chicago Reader review:
Gillo Pontecorvo's searing documentary-style retelling (1965) of the tough, grinding, and ultimately tragic effort of the FLN to liberate Algeria. Pontecorvo has nearly accomplished the impossible: to make an epic film that convinces the viewer he is watching the real thing. Although the director's sympathies (with the rebels) are never in doubt, the film is tough-minded and fair; the cast (nonprofessional with the exception of Jean Martin as the paratroop colonel) is superb; the editing and the overall production are deft but not slick—in sum, a knockout.
Don Druker

Here (and above) is the trailer.

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