Episode 40: The Battle of Algiers (1965)
"It's hard to start a revolution. Even harder to continue it. And hardest of all to win it. But, it's only afterwards, when we have won, that the true difficulties begin. In short, Ali, there's still much to do." In our post-9/11 world, it's difficult to understand a culture that would be willing to kill innocent people for its cause, and to sympathize with it is downright impossible. It's confounding that someone made a film in the 1960's about Muslim nationalists that is unbelievably sympathetic to their cause...and, more importantly, makes the viewer feel the same. "The Battle of Algiers" (1965) was directed by Gillo Pontecorvo at a time when Algeria was occupied by France, and the citizens of Algiers found themselves resorting to terrorism to fight for independence. It's depressing, shocking, and jaw-dropping...to say the least. Have a question or comment for the host? Email Sean at 1001moviespodcast@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter @1001MoviesPC, and look for the podcast's Facebook page.