Netflix recommendation: The Battle of Algiers

[Lydia Leftcoast]

I just watched this movie for the first time in about thirty years, and I was struck at how timely and relevant it is, even 42 years after it was made.

It's about the Algerian struggle for independence from France, and it's told mostly from the point of view of the FLN, a group whom the French regard as terrorists. Indeed, they perform some terrorist acts, such as gunning down policemen or bombing civilian targets, but you see WHY they feel driven to it and how the French reaction, directed by a veteran of the anti-Nazi resistance, soon starts borrowing tactics from the Nazis. You'll see a lot of foreshadowings of Iraq: false flag operations, mass roundups, brutal house-to-house searches, suspicious jailhouse "suicides," and torture, along with general cluelessness on the part of some of the French military, who think they can win the people over by distributing bread and candy and making loudspeaker announcements.

This is a very uncomfortable film to watch, because you find yourself not wanting the central FLN figures to get caught, even though you know that they have killed innocent people.

One of the true classics of political film-making, this movie is in French and Arabic with English subtitles.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. I want to get the Criterion Collection version

As far as I know, it's still relatively pricey.

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Available for somewhat less here

http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=5748009

:-)

[bicentennial_baby]

3. Nice, thank you!

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. Great source for buying DVDs, and they have frequent sales

Also, Amazon UK has great prices on those British DVDs that haven't been released in the U.S. yet. The catch is that you have to get a region-free, PAL<>NTSC player (available from online retailers) or watch them on your computer.

[Critters2]

4. I saw it on TCM. A great film! nt

[devilgrrl]

6. I watched "Z" last weekend....

brilliant film! Have you seen it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_%28film%29

Check it out DUers!!!!!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Yes, I saw it a long time ago, and it's in my queue again

:-)