Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers shows the struggle between French forces who control Algeria with a group seeking independence for Algeria. Spending time showing both the National Liberation Front (FLN) and its guerrilla/terrorist tactics on French targets and the French military response, the film navigates a tricky job of being even handed with both points of view. On the French side we mainly see the tactics and philosophy of Col. Mathieu (Jean Martin) and on the Algerian side we mostly follow Ali La Pointe (Brahim Hadjadj).

It is a interesting film to watch but certainly not an easy one. Watching bombs be set to blow up civilians who are enjoying the day is never pleasant but neither is it pleasant to watch a scene in which French soldiers torture Algerians for information. It would be too easy to make trite comparisons to current events in Iraq. The film has had some revival on account of such events.

The film works. The narrative of the FLN struggle and the French response is effective. The music and action keeps you intrigued. Again it isn't an easy story to watch and it must certainly not have been an easy story to tell. There is a level of character investment that I found myself making in the characters of Mathieu and Ali. The narrative concludes decisively for these two characters but the film continues for more time showing grand scenes of protest and fighting which eventually led to the country's independence.

If I have a criticism it is that the film doesn't end when we leave Ali behind. I understand what is being shown in those later scenes but all the narrative drive was lost due to my emotional investment of the characters. But that is only a minor quibble. It is on the whole balanced in the ideologies it represents and works effectively. I would like to make special note of the music which was quite effective in the film, especially a series of scenes that intermittently used Algerian drums to build tension.