The Battle of Algiers is a 1966 Italian-Algerian film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, dramatizing the Algerian National Liberation Front's urban guerrilla campaign against French colonial rule in Algiers between 1954 and 1957. Shot in a documentary-like style with non-professional actors and grainy black-and-white cinematography, the film presents both the insurgents' and the French military's tactics with a deliberate, often uncomfortable evenhandedness. The film was banned in France for several years after its release, and it has since become a widely studied text on urban insurgency and counterinsurgency, reportedly screened for military and government audiences including at the Pentagon, alongside its standing as a landmark of political filmmaking.
Facts
Classification
Original Language Original Language Original Language Original Language Release Year FAQs
Was The Battle of Algiers nominated for an Academy Award?
Yes, two nominations in 1969: Directing for Gillo Pontecorvo and Writing for Franco Solinas and Pontecorvo.
Yes. At the 41st Academy Awards, held on April 14, 1969 and honoring films released in 1968, The Battle of Algiers received two nominations: Gillo Pontecorvo for Directing, and Franco Solinas and Gillo Pontecorvo for Writing (Story and Screenplay written directly for the screen). It did not win either one. Carol Reed won for Directing for Oliver!, and Mel Brooks won the writing award for The Producers.
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Original Language
Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Wikidata: The Battle of Algiers
Wikidata Q784812, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source 2. The Battle of Algiers (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundationlead paragraph, opening sentence naming the release year and director
The Battle of Algiers ... is a 1966 Italian-Algerian war film co-written and directed by Gillo Pontecorvo.
lead paragraph, opening sentence naming the co-producing countries
The Battle of Algiers ... is a 1966 Italian-Algerian war film co-written and directed by Gillo Pontecorvo.
The Battle of Algiers, Description, original language
The Battle of Algiers is a 1966 Italian-Algerian film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, dramatizing the Algerian National Liberation Front's urban guerrilla campaign against French colonial rule in Algiers between 1954 and 1957. Shot in a documentary-like style with non-professional actors and grainy black-and-white cinematography, the film presents both the insurgents' and the French military's tactics with a deliberate, often uncomfortable evenhandedness.
View the Source The Battle of Algiers (Wikidata)
Wikidata P166: Golden LionQuote, Wikidata P166: Golden Lion
Wikidata P166 (award received): Golden Lion.
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