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Trailer

The Battle of Algiers

1966Movie2 h 2 minNR

Drama
91
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic968.4Rotten Tomatoes99%95%

A cathartic, slow-burning drama movie about history and politics, with standout world-building.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

The Revolt that Stirred the World!

Former petty criminal Ali la Pointe becomes a commander of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale, directing a guerilla insurgency against the colonial French occupation. Paratrooper commander Colonel Phillippe Mathieu, a veteran of World War II and the First Indochina War, is sent to Algeria to reinforce efforts to squelch the uprisings.

Feels like

  • Algerian War
  • Colonialism
  • Revolution
  • Guerrilla Warfare
  • Political Intrigue
  • Historical Drama
  • Social Commentary
  • French Colonial Rule
  • National Liberation
  • Urban Warfare

Cast

10 of 10

Crew

Directed by
Gillo Pontecorvo
Written by
Gillo Pontecorvo, Franco Solinas
Produced by
Yacef Saâdi, Antonio Musu
Music by
Gillo Pontecorvo, Ennio Morricone, Bruno Nicolai

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 8, 1966 · 2 h 2 min · NR

Released
September 8, 1966
Runtime
2 h 2 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence
Genres
Drama, War, History
Original language
Italian
Also spoken
Arabic, English, French
Made in
Italy, Algeria
Budget
$800,000
Box office
$964,028
Available in
24 countries

Tropes

Moral Myopia, Hidden in Plain Sight, Grey-and-Black Morality +9

  • Moral Myopia
  • Hidden in Plain Sight
  • Grey-and-Black Morality
  • Patriotic Fervor
  • Leitmotif
  • The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized
  • Event Title
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist
  • Killer Cop
  • Important Haircut
  • Big Bad
  • Secret Test of Character

12 of 65 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Battle of Algiers?"

Questions about The Battle of Algiers

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Battle of Algiers?

HBO MaxKanopyYouTube TVCriterionShout! Factory TVPlexMometuTubi TV

In the United States, The Battle of Algiers streams on HBO Max, YouTube TV, and Criterion, and it is free with ads on Kanopy, Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Mometu, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 10 other countries.

Is The Battle of Algiers worth watching?

91
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 91 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 99%, and Metacritic 96). Critics rate it higher (98 out of 100) than audiences (87).

Can I half-watch The Battle of Algiers?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for complexity and 7 for philosophical.

Will I feel good after watching The Battle of Algiers?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 7 for melancholy, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is The Battle of Algiers in English?

ItalianArabicEnglishFrench

No, it was made in Italian, with some Arabic, English, and French.

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 tropes for it, including Moral Myopia, Hidden in Plain Sight, and Grey-and-Black Morality.