Battle of Algiers/ Criterion, good film?
 

I have never seen this 1965 film. Is it a good movie? Worth a blind buy?
Any reviews?
Best price for the disks?

Did you see the DVD Talk review on Battle of Algiers?

Sounds interesting to me too, but it's an expensive blind buy.

I believe there was some discussion of this movie in the review section of this forum. I think it is a fantastic movie but I don't know if I could recommend it as a blind buy for a couple of reasons.

1) The documentary man on the street "style" photography may disturb some. It doesn't look or have the feel of a mainstream movie.

2) The movie deals with underground rebellion/terrorism from the Algerians and policing/torturing by the French depending on what your point of view is. It is a very political movie and we know that political issues can get some people very hot.

That being said, I think the movie is very energetic, shows opposing points of view mostly impartially and is still very relevant. The more than four hours of extras on the disc sound fantastic and the stills I've seen of the film look very very good. In addition to the DVDTalk review there is a dvdbeaver review which is where I saw the stills. It is currently speeding its way to my home and I can't wait to get it.

Go to www.rogerebert.com

He chose Battle of Algiers for his bi-weekly Great Movie column.

Thanks for the DVDBeaver and Ebert suggestions.

Thanks for the info guys.
Looking at the reviews I decided to go with it. Clicked through on the DVD Talk link to DDDVD, got the 5% off and it came to $34.16

I have not seen it either, but I've heard enough good things about that I went ahead and bought it anyways. Here's hoping I like it, I'm expecting it from Amazon anyday.

It's $32 @ dvdplanet.

Oh, and I feel that you've made the best "blind-buy" ever.

If worst comes to worst guys contact me if you dont like it... I'll give you $25 Paypal for it. :)


I've heard nothing but good things also. And its part of the CC, so its two birds with one stone syndrome.

I was very excited having the opportunity to see this movie during its theatrical re-release earlier this year after hearing so much about it for so long. I wound up being very disappointed in the film. Its subject matter may be something which is unfortunately all too relevant in this day and age, but the action looked fake and completely unnatural (which I found surprising given the lengths the film's press clippings went to make the point of its "authenticity"). The lead character was not an actor, and it showed. The only thing I took away from the movie was the French paratrooper commander's comments at a press conference about how the events in Algiers had to be treated as a war and not a police issue, a prescient sentiment.

I'm very glad I had a chance to spend $5.50 to see the re-release on the big screen, as I otherwise would most likely have purchased the DVD without having first seen the movie.

My opinion of the film may be in the minority, but I think time has not been kind to this movie. It's a curiosity because of its timeliness (then and now), but not what I would consider a good or great film.

I got my copy yesterday from Amazon and was not dissapointed. It is an amazing set. I'm about 80% through it right now with only half of Disc 3 left to go through. The movie looks and sounds as good as you would expect for a movie that was purposely made to look grainy and contrasty so that it would resemble a newsreel. No complaints here. The packaging is also very good and the included booklet is huge.

My favorite supplement of the set so far is:

Remembering History (69 mins., 2004): an exclusive documentary that reconstructs the Algerian experience of the battle for independence, featuring interviews with historians and revolutionaries, including military leader Saadi Yacef.

The interviews with people like, Saadi Yacef, who was one of the main revolution leaders in addition to a star in the film and members of the french milatary are gripping. They give you a real insight on how people justify the use of torture or planting bombs when they feel their cause is just. Amazing stuff.

I'm looking forward to the hour long "Return to Algiers" documentary with the director. Most of these documentaries are brand new so they look and sound great.

The Criterion set really does a good job of not only documenting the history of the Revolution but also the impact of the film. Great stuff.