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Battle Of Algiers (The)
R2 - United Kingdom - Argent Films Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (18th April 2004). |
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The Film
 Originally released in 1965 and banned by the French (it's screenings where removed from the Cannes Film Festival) Gillo Pontecorvo's historical masterpiece has been called "One of the most remarkable films of all time" (The Observer), commissioned by the Algerian government Pontecorvo's film brings us into the middle of the 1954 to 1962 Franco-Algerian conflict and the struggle that faced both the Algerians and the French colonial's who have occupied the nation since the 1830's. In the 1960's the French foreign legion have pulled out of Vietnam in a shameful defeat, a defeat which left many French with deep scars including the government. This defeat would not happen again in any French territory and efforts where directed to Algeria where the people are rising up and shouting for independence. It's not long before a full scale revolution is at hand, this film closely studies both sides and shows the inhuman face of killing versus the struggle of achieving freedom and independence. The French's malicious touture versus the arab led bombing campaigns that used women and children as couriers. It truely shines light on what man is willing to do in order to gain what is far from their grasp. From the begining Pontecorvo wanted his film to feel real, to play out like a documentary as if they where there when the revolution was playing out in real time and in order to achieve this the filmmaker shot in black and white, travelled to Algieria and used the real locations, and most importantly used real revolutionaires that fought the French including one of it's leaders Yacef Saadi, Yacef also played a role as an advisor on the film making sure that the practices of the Algierians campaign for freedom was as accurate as possible. The cast give wonderful performances considering the majority have never acted before in their lives. Pontecorvo's direction and sense of drama is high, the camera movements feel natural and unscripted also with the inclusion of Ennio Morricone wonderful music adds a new level to the film, the music accents what plays out onscreen perfectly. The result is sometimes shocking how it echoes in todays world with the recent terror events 9/11, Palestinian Suicide bombings and the recent war in Iraq. It is said that this film is referenced by the CIA and has been screened at the White House, there is no doubt that this is one of the most important films of all time and a stunning achievement in film. I urge anyone to see this film.
Video
Presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This DVD transfer is a "Digitally remastered from a new print, restoring the film's newsreel look, as devised through painstaking experimentation with film stock, light and lab processing by director Gillo Pontecorvo and cinematographer Marcello Gatti" The transfer has many artefacts and film grain is present through-out, however as it's quoted above this is deliberate to generate that documentary or newsreel feel. What we get here is an accurate presentation of the film the way the director wanted to you see it.
Audio
This is a film of almost 40 years of age, so don't expect a 5.1 track, what we get here is the original Mono sound in Arabic and French (both languages are spoken in the film) I wish they could have spent some time in remastering the sound. The dialogue is occasionaly hard to hear and sometimes phrases are obviously being spoken onscreen but there is no actual dialogue to accompany it. What is also dissapointing is the soundtrack suffers from a lot of pops and drop-outs. Again like the visual it's supposed to represent a newsreel feel but this goes beyond that. This soundtrack feels like its been neglected for 40 years dusted off and transfered on without any clean up effort. The film is also subtitled in English.
Extras
The Italians get a 2-disc Special Edition with commentary and interviews the UK only get an interview with director Gillo Pontecorvo and a stills gallery. The interview, which runs for 18 minutes is quite informative, the director tells us about the origins of the production, the research and historical reflections of what occured in Algeria which included finding and meeting people who where apart of the battle to recount the events for the screenplay. The director speaks candidly about the the controversy opf the film, the filming in Algieria and Ennio Morricone's music. Overall a nice companion piece to the film. The stills gallery contains over 100 photographs taken during the production.
Overall
This film's authenticity is unparalled with it's remarkable recreation of Algeria's fight for freedom. One of the most powerful and deeply moving cinematic experiance you'll likely have. It's a shame that this amazing film isn't given the respect it deserves on this DVD. Perhaps one day a full blown Special Edition will be released, hopefully by the Criterion Collection (until then there is still the Italian, see comparison for more information).
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