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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
The Battle of Algiers
MOVIHERO READ
Steady drama with a balanced watch profile. Best if a political film about colonialism and resistance.
79/100
TMDB RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Former petty criminal Ali la Pointe becomes a commander of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale, directing a guerilla insurgency against the colonial French occupation. Paratrooper commander Colonel Phillippe Mathieu, a veteran of World War II and the First Indochina War, is sent to Algeria to reinforce efforts to squelch the uprisings.
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79/100
TMDB RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTFormer petty criminal Ali la Pointe becomes a commander of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale, directing a guerilla insurgency against the colonial French occu…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for The Battle of Algiers.
MoviHero lists September 8, 1966 as the release date for The Battle of Algiers. Gillo Pontecorvo is the listed director. The listed cast includes Brahim Hadjadj as Ali La Pointe, Jean Martin as Colonel Philippe Mathieu, Yacef Saâdi as El-Hadi Jaffar, Samia Kerbash as Fathia. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateSeptember 8, 1966
GenresDrama · History · War
Runtime2h 2m
DirectorGillo Pontecorvo
CastBrahim Hadjadj as Ali La Pointe, Jean Martin as Colonel Philippe Mathieu, Yacef Saâdi as El-Hadi Jaffar, Samia Kerbash as Fathia
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is The Battle of Algiers right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
The Battle of Algiers runs 2h 2m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 6/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with The Battle of Algiers. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
RATING & SOURCE
TMDB audience rating
TMDB: 79/100 (7.9/10) from 939 votes. Updated Oct 13, 2026.
External ratings are converted directly to /100. We add no popularity, metadata or Watch Profile bonuses. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from numerical ratings submitted here.
MOVIHERO EDITORIAL
Should you watch The Battle of Algiers?
The Battle of Algiers follows resistance to French colonial rule and the campaign to suppress it. Its documentary-like presentation gives particular weight to streets, crowds, and the civilians caught in the struggle.
WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU
01The Battle of Algiers follows resistance to French colonial rule and the campaign to suppress it
02a political film about colonialism and resistance
03a realistic urban setting with an ensemble cast
QUICK DECISION GUIDE
Know the watch before you press play.
A fast read on the experience, then the reasons this movie may or may not fit your night.
01Pacing5/10
02Emotional Impact6/10
03Mind-Bending2/10
04Scary1/10
05Violence6/10
06Rewatchability6/10
PERFECT IF
01a political film about colonialism and resistance
02a realistic urban setting with an ensemble cast
THINK TWICE IF
01you are avoiding torture and civilian attacks
02you want a conventional hero-led adventure
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
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CHECK AVAILABILITY
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OPTION 2
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United States
Kanopy
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Plex
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact6/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
WATCH A PREVIEW
Trailer
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
PART OF A WATCH JOURNEY
Where The Battle of Algiers fits.
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
78/100
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