Battle of Algiers (1966; re-release 1980s))

La battaglia di Algeri (released in the UK in 1968 as "The Battle of Algiers"), the 1966 Gillo Pontecorvo(nominated for the Best Director Academy Award for this film) Algerian/Italian military anti-war melodrama ("The revolt that stirred the world!"; "The French Colonel... who was forced even to torture!"; "One of the Many Women... who stopped at nothing to win!"; "The Algerian Street Boy... who became a rebel hero!"). Considered by many to be the greatest political thriller ever made, this gripping, sensationally well-directed, scored, and edited

docu-drama is still as controversial, shocking, and mesmerizing as itwas back in the day it was made. Banned in France for decades its

very even-handedness in portraying the conflict makes it almost unique, although the insistent rhythms of Ennio Morricone's brilliant

music score indicate where the underlying sympathies may lie. A

masterpiece.