All language subtitles for The.Battle.of.Algiers.1966.RM4K.1080p.BluRay.x265.HEVC.AAC-SARTRE

Casbah-Film Presents
the First Major Algerian Production

LION D'OR

27th International Festival of Venice 1966

1st Prize
International Critic 1966

Prize of the City of Venice 1966

Couldn't you have talked sooner?
It would have been better for you.

So, he's finally talked.
Give him some coffee.

All right, don't worry.
Drink up, it'll do you good.

Buck up now. Here.

At ease.

- Is it true?
- Probably. 3 Rue des Abderames.

Dress him.

Come on, it's all over now,
I assure you.

Can you stand?

Let go of him.

Here, put it on.

It'll fit you well.

They won't recognise you like this
in the Kasbah, understand?

Show us where La Pointe
is hiding and then you'll be free.

Give him a cap.

Nationalised!

Don't be a fool.

Let's go.

Shut up. Do you want us
to start again?

Come on now.
Pull yourself together.

THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS

A film by Gillo Pontecorvo

Written by Franco Solinas

Cast

Cast

Set Designer

Editing by

Director of Photography

Production Manager

Music by

Produced by

Who wants to go out?

Ali la Pointe, the house
is surrounded. It's useless.

Surrender. Let the boy
and the woman come out first.

Then your companion and yourself.

Leave your weapons there.

No tricks, you're beaten.

We've got you covered. You don't
stand a chance. Understand?

Do you hear me, Ali?

Listen, you're the last one.
There's nothing you can do.

The organization's finished.

Everyone's dead, or in prison.

If you come out now, you'll have
a proper trial. Surrender, Ali!

Based on the book by Saadi Yacef
"Souvenirs de la Bataille d'Alger"

Algiers, 1954

The European city

The Kasbah

National Liberation Front (FLN),
Communiqué No. 1.

Citizens of Algeria,
our fight is against colonialism.

The aim - independence and
restoration of the Algerian state...

...based on Muslim precepts and
respect for fundamental rights...

...regardless of race or religion.

In order to avoid bloodshed,
we propose to the French...

...fair talks bringing recognition
of our right to self-government.

Algerians, it is your duty
to restore your country's freedom.

You will win.

Unite, brothers! The National
Liberation Front calls you to arms.

The King loses, the Queen wins...

Place your bets

50 francs.

Your turn, Madame.

This one wins, this one loses.

There he is!

- He's in a rush.
- Stop him.

Punch that bastard.

Omar Ali, alias Ali la Pointe,
born Miliana, 15th January 1930.

Illiterate.

Occupation: general labourer,
boxer. Presently unemployed.

Previous record as follows...

1942. Algiers Juvenile Court: one
year's reformatory for vandalism.

1944. Orane Juvenile Court:
two years for public disorder.

1949. Algiers Assizes: sentenced
to eight months' prison...

...for resisting arrest.

God is mighty!

Long live Algeria!

Long live Algeria!

Here he comes.

Keep quiet.

Five months later.

- Scram!
- Men have two faces...

They sent you?

Yes, they sent me.

Come here.

Can you read? Read it.

"There's a Moorish café
at 40, Rue Randon.

"Merabi, the owner,
is a police informer.

"Every day at five
a French policeman goes to see him.

"He stays a few minutes,
pretending to have a cup of coffee.

"Then he leaves.
You must kill the policeman."

- Not Merabi?
- No, the policeman.

OK.

"You can't go wrong.

"Right next to the café
you'll see a girl...

"...and a policeman nearby.

"At the right moment
she'll give you...

"...a gun...

"...and you shoot him."

Right, I give the orders now.

Look, brothers!
Look at this piece of dirt.

- You bitch! You set me up.
- Let's get away.

- Now explain!
- See if they followed us.

Who planned this? Take me to him.

- He's waiting.
- Where?

I'll take you there
if we don't get caught.

Move. You go first, I'll follow.

We had to be sure you weren't a spy.

With an empty gun?

Let's suppose you were a spy.

The FLN contact you in prison.
You pretend to be for the cause...

...and the French let you escape.

Shooting at me?

It could be fixed. You escape, go
to the address given you in prison...

...and get to know me.

What's your name?

Jaffer. Lahadi Jaffer.

To join us you had to do a job.

The barman is an Algerian.

The cops would let you kill him...

...even though he's a "stool".

But this would prove your loyalty.

That's why I chose the cop.

The French wouldn't allow that.

If you were one of them...

...you wouldn't have done it.

I didn't.

You couldn't, but you tried,
that's the important thing.

And nearly got caught.

Come on. You're exaggerating. Your
orders were to shoot in the back.

I didn't know.

You don't understand.

Explain.
Why didn't you let me kill him?

Well, we're not ready yet.

We need a safe place to go from
and to hide in.

There's the Kasbah,
but it's still not safe.

Too many drunks, whores, junkies.
People who talk too much.

Uncommitted people,
ready to sell us out.

We must convince them
or eliminate them.

We must think of ourselves first
and clean out the Kasbah.

Then we can think about the French.
Do you understand?

April 1956

National Liberation Front

Communiqué No. 24.

People of Algeria,
the Colonial Administration...

...is responsible not only
for the misery of our people...

...but also for the vices of
many of our brothers and sisters.

Vices which make them lose
all dignity.

The FLN has decided
to wipe out this scourge.

It calls on the people
to help in this struggle...

...as it is a prerequisite
to gaining independence.

From today the FLN assumes
responsibility...

...for the physical and moral health
of the Algerian people.

The FLN has decided...

...to prohibit the sale and use
of all drugs and alcoholic drink.

Prostitution and pimping
are forbidden.

Offenders will be punished.

Those who persist
will be put to death.

You know drugs are forbidden.

- Why?
- Just do without.

Have you seen Hassan El Bridi?

Seen Hassan El Bridi?

- Have you seen Hassan?
- No.

If you see Hassan
tell him I'm looking for him

Ali, what's the matter?

- Is Hassan here?
- No, he left very early. Why?

If you see him tell him I need him.

Ali, hello!

Stand still!
Don't move your hands.

- I never carry weapons.
- I know.

Are you afraid of these?

Don't move.

Why are you afraid?

We've always been friends.
I almost brought you up.

That's true.

- What's happened to you?
- You're condemned to death.

So that's what it's come to.

I could die of laughter.

How much do they pay you?

Nothing. They've warned you twice.
This is the last time. Decide.

What? What must I decide?

To work for the FLN.

Try and convince me.

Stop! Take a good look. No one does
as he likes in the Kasbah any more.

Not even Hassan, still less you scum.

Now get out.

And spread the word.

10th June 1956

Stay outside and keep watch.

- Is everything all right?
- Fine.

Sit down.

Let's hurry up with the formalities,
you know why.

One day, weddings will be
celebrated in the open again.

It is very sad
that a day like this...

...should not be celebrated
traditionally.

But being the first to desert
the offices of the French...

To be married by the FLN...

...takes courage.
It is a conscious gesture.

An act of war.

And now,
Mahmoud and Fathia come forward.

Sign here.

Congratulations.

Best wishes, very best wishes.

Make yourselves comfortable.

20th June 1956. 10.32 a.m.

Come over here.

Keep calm.

Come this way.

Listen.

They want to talk to the Inspector.

Yes, sir, but they didn't get
the search warrant.

Rue d'Isly?

They followed them
but then lost them.

Of course, sir, but that depends on
the Commissioner.

Democratic methods.
We do have some suspects.

They favour a formal enquiry.

Yes, sir...

I don't have enough men.

I understand.

But if you could...

The Prefect can't.

But couldn't you?
As you wish.

Well, they'll slaughter the lot of us.

Right...

3.00 p.m. Patrol fired on.
Three soldiers wounded.

Location: Rue Luciani.

4.00 p.m. Shots fired at guards.

Location: intersection of main road
and Avenue Laquiere.

In Paris, the solution is
to increase police numbers...

...and close off streets.
I don't agree with it.

Right, Corbiere, where were we?

Intersection of main road
and Avenue Laquiere.

The Governor of Algiers decrees:
Article 1...

Purchase of medicines suitable
for treating gun wounds...

...must be authorised
by the Prefecture.

Article 2:
Hospitals and nursing homes...

...must inform the police...

...about all patients
admitted for treatment.

The Algiers Prefecture
communicates...

...that recently there have been
dozens of outrages in the city.

The culprits are presumed
to be Moslem...

...able to find refuge quickly
and easily in the Arab quarters.

To restore order forthwith, the
Prefect has decided to seal off...

...the Kasbah.

Checkpoints will be set up.

And citizens will have to show
their papers.

It's nothing we need worry about.

- Returning to the Kasbah?
- No, two days' leave.

Never touch their women.

20th July 1956, 11.20 a.m.

What do you want?

I'm going swimming.

- You're still here?
- It's that way.

Come here.

Now, get out.

- Always the same!
- It's the government's fault.

What does it care?

The murderers should all be killed.
Then we'd have some peace.

There he is!

It's him!

- Where?
- Down there.

Get hold of him.

Murderer! Murderer!

You dirty rat!

Where are you going?

- The rat!
- Don't let him get away.

He's escaping! Grab him.

I saw him!

Stop him!

He's running away!

Culprit: Laknan Abdullah.

Labourer, married with 3 children,
living at 8 Rue de Thebes.

- How many today?
- Seven incidents, three dead.

A copy each for the Prefect,
the press, the archives and you.

- Thanks. Goodnight, Corbiere.
- Goodnight, sir.

Tell me...

Where's Rue de Thebes?

Off the Kasbah, I believe.

- Goodnight, mamma.
- Goodnight, children.

Fatma, why aren't they in bed?

- They're just going.
- Goodnight.

- We must go now.
- Oh, there's still time.

- Can't you play here?
- Must you really go?

- Have another drink.
- All right, one more.

No, I'm sorry, we're late.

Goodnight all. Hurry up.

Goodbye, Lucien.
Don't keep Henri up too late.

In the back.

- Is it much further?
- No.

- Can we go in?
- You're too late.

The curfew's in force.

Let him in. He's with me.

- Yes, sir, you may go through.
- Let's go.

- It's all set?
- Yes, hurry up.

Murderers! Murderers!

Ali! Ali, stop!

Jaffer says you must stop.

He's trying to stop the people.

Get out.

They'll kill us!

Halt!

Stay calm. Go back home
or they'll kill us all.

Leave it to the FLN.
We'll avenge you.

You stand guard. You come in.

- OK like this?
- Perfect.

Fine.

No good? Listen.

I'll take my child. It'll work.

OK, but go by the Divan checkpoint.

It's busier and they're not so careful.

The Air France offices.

The cafeteria in Rue Michelot.

The milk bar in Rue d'Isly.

They're short-fuse bombs...

...so they'll be set outside
the Kasbah. At 3, Rue Del Porto.

But then you must hurry.
You'll only have 25 minutes.

Now goodbye. And good luck.

Good luck.

Fathia, God be with you.

- Your papers.
- I've forgotten them.

- Over there. Move!
- They're at home.

I must go to work.

- Get back!
- Please, I'm late.

I said wait!

Move back or no one'll go through.

- Let me through.
- Wait there.

- It's not fair.
- Just wait.

Excuse me. Excuse me, sir.

- May I pass?
- Of course.

Hello! Oh, it's all right.

Hands up.

Go through, Madame.

Go on.

I'll be an hour. He's a good boy.

Thank you.

- Going to the sea, Miss?
- How did you know?

I guessed.

- Like some company?
- Not today. I've friends waiting.

What a pity!

Maybe another time?

Maybe.

Good luck.

Good luck.

Cola, please.

- Would you like to sit down?
- Thank you.

Here you are.

100 francs.

Leaving already? What a shame.

Attention please.
Flight 432 to Paris...

...will be delayed for 20 minutes.

Would you like another Martini?

It's nothing, just a gas bottle.

The Paras!

10th January, 1957

Jean Soreau, Inspector General...

...of the Administration...

...has presided over
a special meeting...

...to combat terrorism in Algiers.

Important decisions were taken
to maintain law and order...

...and to protect people
and property.

It was decided that
General Carelle...

...commanding the 10th
Paratroop Division...

...will assume responsibility
for law and order...

...using all civil
and military measures...

...as well as special powers
allocated to them.

Mathieu Philippe. Born
5th August 1907 in Bordeaux.

Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.

Campaigns: Italy and Normandy.

Member of the French Resistance.

Served in Madagascar, Suez,
Indo-China and Algeria.

On average lately, there have been
4.2 incidents per day...

...including attacks on individuals
and explosions.

The problem, as usual, is:
One, the enemy...

Two, how to destroy him.

There are 400,000 Arabs in Algiers.

Are they all our enemies?
We know they're not.

There's only a minority which rules
by terror and violence.

This is the enemy we have to isolate
and destroy.

A dangerous enemy moving both...

...on the surface and below...

...using well-tried revolutionary
tactics and original techniques.

It's an unknown,
unrecognisable enemy...

...which blends in with the people.

It is everywhere.
In the cafés, the Kasbah...

In the European quarter, in shops
and workshops.

These films were taken
by the police...

...with cameras hidden
at the checkpoints.

They thought they might come in
useful, and indeed they do.

To show the uselessness
of certain methods!

Or at least their shortcomings.

I've chosen pictures
taken shortly before...

...some recent terrorist incidents.

Amongst all these Arab men
and women...

...are those responsible.

But which ones?

How to recognize them?

Checking papers is ridiculous.

If anyone's is in order...

...it's the terrorist's.

Watch the soldier. He's sure that
basket contains something important.

And he examines the contents
very thoroughly!

Maybe the bomb was there,
in a false bottom.

We'll never know.

That's enough, Martin.

We have to start from zero.

We know something of
the organization's structure.

Let's start from there.
It's a pyramid organization...

...composed of various sections
which, in turn...

...are made up of a series
of triangles.

At the apex is the Chief of Staff
responsible to the political bureau.

He nominates someone to be
responsible for one sector: No. 1.

No. 1 selects another two:
Nos. 2 and 3.

And so Triangle 1 is formed.

Nos. 2 and 3 each select two men.

Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Because of this structure,
each member of the organization...

...knows only three other members.

The one who chose him...

...and the two he chose.

Contact is only in writing.

That's why we don't know our enemy.

Because, in fact,
they don't know each other.

If we know him,
we can eliminate him.

The military angle is secondary.

It's the 'police' side that matters.

I know you dislike that word.

But it's the only one
which sums up our task.

We must try to reconstruct...

...the pyramid and identify the Chief.

The basis of our job is information.
The method, interrogation.

Conducted in such a way as
to ensure we always get an answer.

In this situation, false sentiment
leads only to ridicule...

...and incoherence.

I'm sure all units understand
and will act accordingly.

Unfortunately...

...it doesn't depend just on us. We
must have the town at our disposal.

To sift through it...

...and to question everyone.

But we're up against a mass of laws
and regulations being enforced...

...as though Algiers was
a holiday resort, not a battlefield.

We've asked for carte blanche,
but it's difficult to get.

We need an incident
which will legalize our actions...

...and make them feasible.

We ourselves must create
this opening...

...so our adversaries don't do it
for us, as I believe they might.

To all freedom fighters.

After two years...

...of bitter struggle...

...the Algerian people
are victorious.

On Monday 28th January...

...the United Nations will
debate the Algerian question.

The Organization will mobilize...

...to explain the importance
of this to the people.

For eight days from Monday
the FLN proclaims a general strike.

There will be no armed action
or incidents.

'Le Monde'! Eight-day strike!

My money, please.

Strike!

Brothers, Algerians...

Having tried all methods
to avoid a UN debate on Algeria...

...the colonialists insist that
the FLN represents only a minority.

World opinion is behind us.

Let us show we are united.

Support the strike
proclaimed by the FLN.

For these eight days,
do not enter the European quarter.

Stay in the Kasbah.
Don't gather in closed places...

...thus facilitating round-ups.

Shelter the poor and homeless
in your houses.

Stock up with food and water.

- They seem calm.
- Yes, but they're restless.

Like rats in a trap... we hope.

Do you think the strike will be 100%?

Certainly.

- All going well?
- I hope so.

What will you call the operation?

Well, General...

- Operation Champagne.
- Operation Champagne, why not?

Fine.

They're beggars, unemployed,
homeless.

They'll stay here during the strike
safe from police sweeps.

But I don't think they ought
to have been brought here.

- It's a mistake.
- Why?

Because you're here.
We'd better change the place.

- Don't you trust them?
- You never know.

All right, you decide.

No. If I made the decisions
you wouldn't be in Algiers now.

- Why?
- It's not prudent

Ali, go with Ben M'Hidi
to the Maison des Arbres.

- Isn't he sleeping here?
- No. Too many new faces around.

Another one ready.

Look at this for a hideout.
Seems like a wall.

- Look inside.
- No, you must go. It's late.

They're old fighters. You'll be safe.

Hurry, Ali.

The terrace is the shortest way.

All right, you can come.

Fine. They're waiting.

- What's your view on the strike?
- It'll succeed.

I think so too.
It has been well organized.

But the French?

Obviously, they'll try everything
to break it.

They'll do more than that.

We've given them the chance.

Understand what I mean?

Now they'll no longer
grope in the dark.

Every striker...

...will be a recognizable enemy...

...a confessed criminal. And they
will go over onto the offensive.

- Have you thought of that?
- No.

Jaffer says you weren't
in favour of the strike.

- No, neither were my men.
- Why not?

Because they say we mustn't use arms.

You don't win wars with outrages.

Neither wars nor revolutions.

Terrorism serves to begin with.

But later, the people themselves
must move.

That's the reason
behind the need to strike.

To mobilize all Algerians,
to count them.

To assess our strength.

To show the UN?

Yes, the UN too.

It might not be much use...

...but at least the UN will be able
to see our strength.

You know, Ali...

...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, there's still much to do.

- You are not already tired, Ali?
- No.

Wake up!

Attention all vehicles!

Speed up the sweep.
Truck No. 1: to El Biar.

No. 2: the gas works.

No. 3: the port.

Attention...

All suspects to be sent to HQ.

That one.

You, come here. Wait there.

- On strike, eh?
- I'm not well.

You're too scared to say, but
you're with the FLN, aren't you?

What do you take me for?

The FLN wants you to strike
and you won't speak?

Please yourself.
This one to HQ too, Gérard.

- You, come here.
- Are you deaf?

Move! At the double!

Get a move on!

It's now the fourth day,
and the general strike continues.

The town is paralyzed, but there
have been no serious incidents.

Calm reigns in the Arab quarter.

I'll call you back

Mathieu's here.

- Colonel...
- I'm meeting the Prefect.

- What's going on?
- I'm just assessing the situation.

Go and look for yourselves.
I've put all means at your disposal.

The strike seems successful?

It has missed its main aim -
insurrection.

- That wasn't its aim.
- You believe the FLN?

Maybe. A general strike
is convincing at the UN.

The UN is far away. How can it judge
a strike's importance?

Bombs get heard. I'd do like them.

What exactly is armed insurrection?

It's an inevitable stage
in revolutionary war.

After terrorism, armed insurrection
follows. Just as guerrilla tactics...

...precede war proper.

Dien Bien Phu?

Exactly. But in Indo-China they won.

- And here?
- It depends on you.

On us? You want us to enlist?

God forbid! Just write...
and write well.

- It's not soldiers we lack.
- Then what?

Political will, which is sometimes
present, sometimes not.

But sometimes is not enough.
What's Paris saying?

Just another article by Sartre.

Why are the Sartres
always on the other side?

You don't like Sartre?

No, but I'd like him even less
as an enemy.

One, two, three, four...
follow me.

Come on, hurry up.

- What's going on?
- They're singing.

OK. Let's have it.
From the start, then you can go.

- Name?
- Smain.

- First name?
- Ahmed.

- District?
- Second.

- Be more precise.
- No. 2, the Kasbah, Algiers West.

- Which group?
- Third group.

- What was your job?
- Responsible for the Sixth Squad.

That'll do.

Day six of the strike.

People of the Kasbah...

The FLN prevents you
from working.

The FLN makes you shut
your shops.

The FLN wants to starve you
and condemn you to misery.

The FLN prevents you
from working.

People of the Kasbah...

...France is your motherland.

Muhammed? Muhammed?
Have you seen him?

The FLN wants to starve you
and condemn you to misery.

People of the Kasbah,
rebel against the FLN.

Courage! God be with you.

Courage!

Algerians! Brothers!

Take courage!

Algeria will be free!

Brothers, resist. Don't listen...

...to what they say.

Algeria will be free!

5th February. Last day of the strike.

Open the shop.

Pull!

Faster!

The UN General Assembly...

...after failing to obtain
a majority...

...on any motion put forward...

...has decided there will be...

...no direct intervention in Algeria.

The UN, however, hopes that
in a spirit of cooperation...

...a peaceful and just solution
will be found...

...in keeping with UN Charter
principles.

Good. Well done.

Now we can go to bed.

The end of the strike
changes nothing.

Keep the boys on duty.

We must stay in the Kasbah
24 hours a day.

Our work must continue
with no let-up.

Any of you had a tapeworm?

It's a worm that grows to infinity.

You can kill thousands
of its segments...

...but if the head remains,
it immediately reproduces.

The FLN's the same.

The head is the General Staff:
several people.

If they are not eliminated, we'll be
back to zero. Here are four of them.

I found these in the police files.

I had them enlarged.

Si Mourad.

Ramel.

Jaffer.

Ali la Pointe.

We must print a thousand copies
and distribute them to our boys.

Who else lives here?

I told you. My daughter upstairs,
and my husband who's at work.

- OK, Pierre. Let's go.
- All right.

You can come out.

There were a lot- ten this time.

Paratroopers?

Did they come here on purpose?

No, by chance.
They only asked questions.

Jibel Amalika has been arrested.

Sheikh Abdullah has been arrested.

People of the Kasbah,
the FLN has lost the battle.

Rebel against this dying regime.

Work with us to build
a new Algeria.

Moujid Ben Ali has been arrested.

- What's wrong?
- Nothing.

Take courage.

We'll split up.
That will improve our chances.

We must keep changing hideouts.

We must replace those arrested...

...and get reorganized.

And make ourselves felt...

As soon as possible.

Now. Leave it to me.

No. None of us.

As long as we exist, the FLN exists.

If we're caught there'll be nothing.

From nothing you get nothing.

Do something.

When we've made new contacts.

- How do we move?
- We'll change methods.

I'm getting out in three months.

- Hey, look.
- Halt!

Quick, hide us!
We're being followed.

Where? The house is so small.

In the well. God protect you.

- Come. The well, it's nearly dry.
- Good.

They didn't stop. They've gone
and the others are far away.

Thanks.

We'll contact the 2nd
and 5th sectors.

The 1st and 6th have had
too many losses.

The 3rd and 4th are reorganizing.

It's enough to start with.

25th February, 1957

You bastard!
You'll pay for the others!

Keep calm! Get back!

4th March, 1957

Enough photographs.

Mr. Ben M'Hidi...

Isn't it vile to use
women's baskets...

...to carry bombs
to attack innocent victims?

Isn't it even more vile
to drop napalm bombs...

...on defenceless villages,
killing thousands more victims?

It would be easier for us
if we had planes.

Give me the bombers...

...and you can have the baskets.

Mr. Williams wants to know...

It has more chance
than they have...

...of changing the course of history.

Colonel Mathieu has said
that you were arrested by chance.

By mistake.

The paratroopers...

...were looking for someone
less important than you.

Could you say why you were
in that flat...

...in Rue Debussy?

I can only say I wish I hadn't been.

Enough, gentlemen.
It's late and we've work to do.

Show over?

Correct.

Before it backfires.

Closed for having taken part in
the strike.

People of the Kasbah,
the rebellion is petering out.

Ali Mohammed of FLN Sector 2
was killed this morning.

People of Algiers...

Denounce the agitators.

Abandon them.

Count on the protection
of the French Army.

Colonel Mathieu...

The spokesman of the
Resident Minister, M. Gorlin...

...states that Ben M'Hidi...

...hanged himself in his cell...

...by tearing up his shirt
and making it into a rope...

...which he tied to the bars
of his window.

Given his stated intention
to escape at the first opportunity...

...it was thought necessary...

...to keep the prisoner bound...

...hand and foot at all times.

In your opinion, Colonel...

Is a man in this condition...

...capable of tearing his shirt,
making it into a rope...

...and hanging himself with it?

Ask the spokesman about that.

I didn't make the statements.

For my part, I appreciated
Ben M'Hidi's moral strength...

...his courage and commitment
to his own ideals.

And so, notwithstanding
the great danger he represented...

...I pay homage to his memory.

Colonel Mathieu...

There's been much talk, not only
of the paras' successes...

...but of the methods they're said to
use. Can you say something on this?

The successes are a result of those
methods. One presupposes the other.

Excuse me, Colonel...

I feel that in being
excessively careful...

...my colleagues keep asking
indirect questions...

...to which you can only reply
indirectly.

It would be better to call...

...a spade a spade.
If it's torture, let's say so.

I understand.
And you? You've no questions?

No, I would merely like
some more precise answers.

Let us try to be exact. 'Torture'
doesn't appear in our orders.

We use interrogation...

...as the only valid police method
against a clandestine organization.

The FLN asks its members...

...to keep silent for 24 hours
if they are captured.

Then they can talk.

In that time, the FLN can render
any information useless.

And us?
How should we question suspects?

Like the courts,
taking a few months over it?

Legality can be inconvenient.

Is it legal to blow up public places?

Remember what Ben M'Hidi said
when you asked him that.

Believe me, gentlemen,
it's a vicious circle.

We could talk for hours to no avail
because that is not the problem.

The problem is...

...the FLN want us out of Algeria
and we want to stay.

There are different shades
of opinion...

...buy I think you all agree
we should stay.

When the rebellion began
there were no shades of opinion.

All the papers, even the leftist ones,
wanted it crushed.

That's why we were sent here.

And we are neither mad nor sadists.

Those who call us "fascists"...

...forget what many of us
did in the Resistance.

They call us "Nazis"...

...but some of us are survivors
of Dachau and Buchenwald.

We are soldiers. Our duty is to win.

Thus, to be quite clear...

...I'll ask you a question myself.

Must France stay in Algeria?

If the answer's still "yes"...

...then you must accept
what that entails.

- He's a doctor. Stabbed!
- It's horrible!

Blast! No more ammo!

Look there!

Crush them!

26th August 1957

The Colonel's here.

Don't play the hero. It's futile.
Pass me the megaphone.

Ramel! Si Mourad!

Listen.

I wouldn't like to be in your shoes
when we get you.

You know we'll get you.

Give yourselves up and you won't be
touched. You'll have a fair trial.

- Do you hear?
- Who's speaking?

Mathieu. Colonel Mathieu.

We don't trust you.

Come closer.

Show yourself.

Why don't you trust us?

Stand, so that we can see you.

With your hands still and in full view.

OK. But we want the promise
about the trial in writing.

Give us a written promise.
Then we'll surrender.

How?

We'll lower our weapons in a basket.

Fair enough.

Here?

Yes, just there.

- Ready, Mathieu?
- Yes, but first let's see you.

60... 59... 58...

54... 53... 52...

We can see them now.

Here. You know that when I promise
I keep my word.

The pig's tricked us!

Get a move on!

We'll get a move on all right!

Burn all the papers.

You never know.

24th September 1957

Who's Zakia?

- You?
- Yes.

Go up and tell Jaffer to surrender...

...or I'll blow up the house.

Convince him
if you value your house.

- Understood?
- Yes.

Wait, or he'll kill you.

Jaffer! Zakia's coming up!
Don't shoot.

Go now.

Jaffer, I'm Zakia.

Listen to me. They say
if you don't come down...

...they'll blow up the house.

Tell the Colonel
he can blow up what he likes.

Go, I said!

He won't surrender.
He says: go ahead.

OK. Join the others.

Prepare the plastic.
As near as possible.

Use a long fuse. We'll cut it later.

Give them continuous cover
while they work.

You, keep your eyes open.
Anything can happen, as we know.

It's quite pointless to die like this.

Mathieu! If you give me your word
not to touch anyone in this house...

...we'll come down

I'd have hated to blow it up.

Why?

Your picture and your file...

...have been on my table for ages.

I feel I know you quite well.

You don't seem the type
for empty gestures.

You seem happy to have me alive.

Yes, I am.

Evidently I've given you
an unexpected advantage.

No, only the satisfaction
of having guessed right.

Technically...

...there is no longer an advantage.
It's over.

What's she saying?

She says there's still Ali la Pointe.

I'm coming.

I'll be right back.

Go to bed, Omar.

Tomorrow there'll be just us.

Mahmoud... Hassiba...

...me and you.

No one else is left.
Sadek will drive.

Get out, place the bomb...

...and return quickly.

Mind they don't follow you.
Then we'll get out.

Hassiba, followed by Mahmoud
and then me.

Wake up.

You'll see some fireworks today.

- Nearly time, isn't it?
- Yes.

- Hassiba!
- I'm ready.

I heard a truck.

So did I. But if it was Sadek
he'd be here now.

- How's your wife?
- The same.

Inside! Inside!

Outside, you! Get up!

- Well?
- All ready. I've evacuated the house.

- Has he replied?
- Nothing. Absolute silence.

I thought as much.

Ali la Pointe!

At least get the others out.
You know we'll blow you up.

The boy will only go
to the reformatory.

Why let him die?

He's still here? Get him out.

Ali, I'll give you thirty seconds.
What do you hope for?

Anyway, you've already lost.

Think hard.
Thirty seconds from now.

Who wants to go out?

- What will you do?
- I won't bargain.

You four stay here
and go down when I signal.

- Well?
- All ready, General.

Get back.

You two cover him and take care.

Now the tapeworm's headless.

- Satisfied, Mathieu?
- Yes, sir.

- The FLN in Algiers is decapitated.
- I think we'll hear no more of it.

- At least for the time being.
- For ever, we hope.

After all, they're good people.
We got on well for 130 years.

- Why couldn't it continue?
- Algeria is not just Algiers.

No, Algiers isn't all of Algeria.

That's true, but for now
let's be content with Algiers.

Things are much easier
in the mountains.

Goodbye, General.

Goodbye, Mathieu. We'll see you
at HQ this afternoon.

Yes, sir.

11th December 1960

It is not known why,
nor the pretext for it...

...but after two years
of relative quiet...

...with the war just continuing...

...mostly in the mountains,
trouble has broken out again.

Nobody knows why or how.

I've phoned Tunis.

I spoke personally with the FLN
in exile, but they know nothing.

This morning for the first time...

...their green and white flags
have appeared.

Thousands of flags...

...probably sewn overnight.

It's hard to call them flags.
They're sheets, shirts, rags...

...but flags nevertheless.

It's very tense today.

Despite pressure...

...from extreme colonialists,
the government has given orders...

...not to use arms
except as a last resort.

Today attempts were made to
break into the European quarter.

There were many deaths,
but calm has now returned.

However, the Kasbah still echoes
with those strange cries.

Rhythmic, nightmarish.

The surprising unanimity
of these demonstrations...

...has had a marked effect
on French public opinion.

According to Paris, the more
sensitive political groups...

...are gravitating towards
better relations with Algeria.

21st December 1960.
Last day of demonstrations

Listen to me!

Return to your homes!

What do you want?

Two more years of struggle
were still to pass.

Then, on 2nd July 1962
independence was won...

...and the Algerian nation was born.

THE END