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The Battle of Algiers

1966·Movie
2h 2min·NR
91
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic968.4Rotten Tomatoes99%95%
IMDb8.1Metacritic968.4Rotten Tomatoes99%95%

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The Battle of Algiers fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Violence7

Heart

Cathartic and moving

  • Catharsis9
  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy7

Humor

Some satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody5
  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay3

World

History, politics, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Complexity9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The Revolt that Stirred the World!

Paratrooper commander Colonel Mathieu, a former French Resistance fighter during World War II, is sent to Algeria to reinforce efforts to squelch the uprisings of the Algerian War. There he faces Ali la Pointe, a former petty criminal who, as the leader of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale, directs terror strategies against the colonial French government occupation. As each side resorts to ever-increasing brutality, no violent act is too unthinkable.
Algerian WarColonialismRevolutionGuerrilla WarfarePolitical IntrigueHistorical DramaSocial CommentaryFrench Colonial RuleNational LiberationUrban Warfare

Crew

Directed by:
Gillo Pontecorvo, Giuliano Montaldo, Sarah Maldoror
Written by:
Gillo Pontecorvo, Franco Solinas, Franco Solinas
Produced by:
Mohamed Zinet, Hadj Smaine Mohamed Seghir, Fred Baker
Composed by:
Gillo Pontecorvo, Ennio Morricone, Bruno Nicolai

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Battle of Algiers

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Battle of Algiers legally?

HBO MaxKanopyYouTube TVCriterionShout! Factory TVTCMPlexMometu

The Battle of Algiers is included with a subscription to YouTube TV, TCM, and HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Shout! Factory TV, and Plex. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Battle of Algiers worth watching?

91
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 91/100 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 99%, and Metacritic 96). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Battle of Algiers rated?

NRViolence

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Battle of Algiers?

2 h 2 min

The Battle of Algiers runs 2 h 2 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Battle of Algiers?

Critics98
Audiences87

Not quite. Critics rate The Battle of Algiers higher (98) than audiences (87). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Battle of Algiers a box office hit?

Budget$800,000
Box office$964,028

Roughly broke even. It cost about $800,000 to make and earned $964,028 worldwide, 1.2 times its budget.

What language is The Battle of Algiers in?

ItalianArabicEnglishFrench

It was made in Italian, with some Arabic, English, French. Produced in Italy, Algeria.

In how many countries can I watch The Battle of Algiers?

24ARAUBEBOCACHECESFIFRGBGGGIIE+10

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Battle of Algiers in 24 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Battle of Algiers use?

Moral MyopiaHidden in Plain SightGrey-and-Black MoralityPatriotic FervorLeitmotifThe Revolution Will Not Be CivilizedEvent TitleWell-Intentioned ExtremistKiller CopImportant HaircutBig BadSecret Test of Characterand 53 more

TV Tropes lists 65 storytelling tropes for The Battle of Algiers, including Moral Myopia, Hidden in Plain Sight, Grey-and-Black Morality.