It's an interpretation of the battle in 1956-1957 between members of the Front de libération nationale (FLN) and French troops in the early years of the Algerian War of 1954-1962. It primarily follows one of the FLN leaders and the French Colonel who led the paratroopers brought in to crush a general strike and to "behead" the FLN leadership.
Colonel Philippe Mathieu (Jean Martin) leads the paratroops against the FLN leaders in Algiers, who include El-Hadi Jaffar (Saadi Yacef) and Ali La Pointe (Brahim Haggiag). The tactics of both sides are shown realistically but not excessively graphically. These include bombings and assassinations by the FLN and violence against demonstrators by the French paratroopers. Captured second-tier FLN fighters receive "enhanced interrogation" that is more hinted at than shown, and some suffer death by suicide. Threats to blow up the houses in which the FLN is hiding are made and carried out.
Although fictional, some have described the film as a documentary on urban guerrilla warfare. Its style, black-and-white photography, and great use of cast extras underscore this sense. The film's final minutes describe how the larger Algerian War played out.
This film is significant historically, though its cinematic effects are not especially strong by modern standards. The acting is OK but somewhat flat, given the documentary style.
Colonel Philippe Mathieu (Jean Martin) leads the paratroops against the FLN leaders in Algiers, who include El-Hadi Jaffar (Saadi Yacef) and Ali La Pointe (Brahim Haggiag). The tactics of both sides are shown realistically but not excessively graphically. These include bombings and assassinations by the FLN and violence against demonstrators by the French paratroopers. Captured second-tier FLN fighters receive "enhanced interrogation" that is more hinted at than shown, and some suffer death by suicide. Threats to blow up the houses in which the FLN is hiding are made and carried out.
Although fictional, some have described the film as a documentary on urban guerrilla warfare. Its style, black-and-white photography, and great use of cast extras underscore this sense. The film's final minutes describe how the larger Algerian War played out.
This film is significant historically, though its cinematic effects are not especially strong by modern standards. The acting is OK but somewhat flat, given the documentary style.