"The Battle of Algiers" (Not rated; list price $49.95)
Release date: Oct. 12
If you want to see a sobering, ultra-realistic look at war in an occupied territory, skip the "Fahrenheit 9/11" DVD and pick up "The Battle of Algiers." Considered required viewing by film buffs and political scholars ("Algiers" was screened at the Pentagon in spring 2003 to prepare officials for what might occur in Iraq), the 1966 movie from Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo remains remarkably relevant. Sadly, when it comes to terrorism and resolving international conflicts, little has changed in the past 38 years.
Gillo Pontecorvo's "The Battle of Algiers" -- a realistic look at the struggle for Algerian independence -- has been given a deluxe DVD treatment by the Criterion Collection.
(British Film Institute, Rialto Pictures)
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The Criterion Collection, known for taking great care with its DVD releases, has given this fictionalized account of Algeria's struggle for independence an appropriately classy three-disc DVD filled with more than four hours of special features. This is one of those rare occasions where the bonus material is integral to understanding the historical and cultural importance of the movie at hand.
The highlights are the brand new docs prepared exclusively for this release: "Marxist Poetry: The Making of 'The Battle of Algiers,'" a 51-minute feature that includes recent interviews with Pontecorvo and producer-military leader Saadi Yacef; "Five Directors," which explores the movie's influence on other filmmakers; "Remembering History," a 69-minute examination of the history of the French-Algerian conflict; and "The Battle of Algiers: A Case Study," an interview with former counterterrorism officials Richard A. Clarke and Michael A. Sheehan, conducted by Christopher E. Isham of ABC News. Several previous documentaries and an impressive 56-page booklet round out the set.
Clearly this isn't light viewing. Extra motivation may be required to watch all this serious discussion about an undeniably weighty film. But -- and this isn't always the case with DVD sets -- you'll definitely be enriched by the experience. For those trying to decide what to give the family policy wonk this holiday season, look no further than "The Battle of Algiers."
Most Disturbing Bonus Point: During the "Case Study" feature, Clarke -- author of the controversial book "Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror," which criticizes the Bush administration -- notes that he wouldn't be surprised if members of al Qaeda or Palestinian terrorist groups looked to this film as a strategic guide. "It may have been the 1950s," Clarke says of the struggle between Algeria and France, "but it's all happening now in the 21st century."
Bonus Point for Film School Students: The worthwhile "Five Directors" segment demonstrates the influence that "Algiers" had on five distinctly different filmmakers: Mira Nair, Julian Schnabel, Steven Soderbergh, Spike Lee and Oliver Stone. As Nair confesses, "It's the only film in the world that I wish I had directed."
Interesting Bonus Point Trivia: In a documentary on Pontecorvo from 1992, the director admits that he and Marlon Brando frequently clashed during filming of his "Algiers" follow-up, "Queimada!" The perpetually indecisive director also says that at one time he wanted to do a movie on the story of Jesus Christ. Apparently he waited too long; both Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson beat him to it.
Also on DVD This Week: One of last summer's blockbusters, "The Day After Tomorrow"; "Raising Helen"; and the first season of everyone's favorite cab-related sitcom, "Taxi."
Coming in Next Week's "Bonus Points": A review of the Emmy Award-winning first season of "Arrested Development."
"Bonus Points," which reviews the features on the latest DVD releases, is now a weekly column. If you have feedback about the column or want to suggest a DVD for review, e-mail Jen Chaney.
