Battle of Algiers is reissued. Saw at Angelika. Great movie.

[glynch]

I saw the classic movie The Battle of Algiers at the Angelika last night. It is a very famous movie and it is very timely given the current attempt by US forces to suppress Iraqi resistance. I went thinking it would be important, but perhaps somewhat boring. It is riveting.

Go see it while you have the chance. It probably won't be available at the corporate Blockbuster video outlets.

It was filmed in the actual Casbah or Arab neighborhood where the incredible battle between the Algerian freedom fighters and the French took place. Was filmed a mere 10 years after some of the fighting. It is very timely in its discussion of the extensive use of torture by the French and the terrorist bombing by the freedom fighters.

The film has apparently been shown extensively to US troops to show them the type of tactics and issues they will face when fighting the Iraqi resistance.

[Deckard]

A great film, glynch. No question about it.
It's being released by Criterion this Fall. Here's their synopsis, for those who haven't seen it:


The Battle of Algiers
directed by Gillo Pontecorvo

One of the most influential films in the history of political cinema, Gillo Pontecorvo’s The Battle of Algiers focuses on the harrowing events of 1957, a key year in Algeria’s struggle for independence from France. Shot in the streets of Algiers in documentary style, the film vividly recreates the tumultuous Algerian uprising against the occupying French in the 1950s. As violence escalates on both sides, the French torture prisoners for information and the Algerians resort to terrorism in their quest for independence. Children shoot soldiers at point-blank range; women plant bombs in cafés. The French win the battle, but ultimately lose the war as the Algerian people demonstrate that they will no longer be suppressed. The Criterion Collection is proud present Gillo Pontecorvo’s tour de force—a film with astonishing relevance today.

Here's a bit of the special features from Criterion:

~The Making of The Battle of Algiers: an exclusive new documentary created for this release guided by Pontecorvo biographer Irene Bignardi and featuring interviews with the director himself, cinematographer Marcello Gatti, composer Ennio Morricone, editor Mario Morra, actors Jean Martin and Saadi Yacef, and film critic Tullio Kezich

~The Dictatorship of Truth: a 37-minute documentary narrated by Edward Said about the relationship between Pontecorvo’s politics and filmmaking style

~Directors on The Battle of Algiers: a discussion about the film’s influence, style, and importance featuring, Spike Lee, Mira Nair, Julian Schnabel, Steven Soderbergh, and Oliver Stone


This is one I'll be getting! :)

[thadeus]

Criterion usually puts out incredibly well-done prints of older movies, as well as some very interesting extras - I'll be looking forward to it.

[glynch]

I believe it has ALREADY been reissued. The version I saw at the Angelika hear in Houston on Saturday night was noted to have new translations dated 2004.