One Paragraph Movie Review: The Battle of Algiers

Three hundred and first film: The Battle of Algiers, or La Battaglia di Algeri in Italian for this incredible Italian/Algerian production from 1965. I had to Google a few bits and pieces about the French occupation and colonisation of Algeria and the Algerian resistance to properly appreciate the storyline and character motivations, but woah. I didn’t take my eyes off it for two hours. It doesn’t matter when you read this or watch this, its depiction of powerful countries trying to dominate less powerful territories and the violent, terrorism-heavy rebellions that result will feel outrageously contemporary. Add to that this movie’s jaw-dropping authenticity — you genuinely forget you’re watching a movie most of the time and my brain is still convinced it was 80% documentary — and you have a totally gripping, moderately depressing hell of a thriller. I didn’t unclench for a second in a scene where three chic lady rebels infiltrate French businesses with bombs in their handbags, and I could do with a cuppa and a nap, but yep. Amazing. Four ultimately unconvincing fake hideout walls out of five.