1966
In 1954 Algiers, Ali la Pointe transforms from a criminal into a militant for the National Liberation Front (NLF), leading to escalating violence between the NLF and French paratroopers. Colonel Mathieu implements a brutal counter-insurgency campaign, systematically dismantling the NLF's organizational structure through torture, arrests, and suppression of a general strike. Cornered by French forces, Ali and his last companions refuse to surrender and are killed when the French detonate explosives, collapsing their hideout. Despite the French military's tactical victory in Algiers, the film concludes with 1960 protests, foreshadowing Algeria's eventual independence in 1962.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Battle of Algiers follows the guerrilla tactics and counterinsurgency in occupied Algiers.
Open full beat sheetAli la Pointe is listed as NLF militant. Illiterate, former manual laborer, boxer, and criminal who becomes a key figure in the NLF. In the parsed data, Ali la Pointe is connected to 28 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
28 scenes / 21 dialogue linesColonel Mathieu is listed as French Army Officer. Tall, slender, intellectual, and highly disciplined commander of the 10th Paratrooper Division. In the parsed data, Colonel Mathieu is connected to 19 scenes, 45 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
19 scenes / 45 dialogue linesMahmoud is listed as NLF militant. Young man, thin, tense, involved in NLF activities. In the parsed data, Mahmoud is connected to 14 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 82.
14 scenes / 9 dialogue linesPetit Omar is listed as NLF courier. A young boy, approximately 10-12 years old, who acts as a messenger for the NLF. In the parsed data, Petit Omar is connected to 12 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
12 scenes / 2 dialogue linesHassiba is listed as NLF militant. Kabyle girl, blond, blue-eyed, fair-skinned, active in the NLF. In the parsed data, Hassiba is connected to 11 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
11 scenes / 6 dialogue linesBen M'Hidi is listed as CCE member. High-ranking NLF leader, thoughtful, ironical, and ideologically committed. In the parsed data, Ben M'Hidi is connected to 11 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
11 scenes / 6 dialogue linesKader is listed as NLF leader. Slender, aristocratic, cunning, and strategic leader within the NLF. In the parsed data, Kader is connected to 10 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
10 scenes / 14 dialogue linesZohra is listed as NLF militant. Young woman involved in NLF operations. In the parsed data, Zohra is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 16.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDjamila is listed as NLF militant. Young woman involved in NLF operations. In the parsed data, Djamila is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMarc is listed as French Paratrooper. Tall, husky, young, and cheerful paratrooper. In the parsed data, Marc is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLagloy is listed as French Paratrooper. Paratrooper under Mathieu's command. In the parsed data, Lagloy is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHacene le Bonois is listed as Casbah underworld figure. Corpulent, imposing, and cheerful figure in the Casbah underworld. In the parsed data, Hacene le Bonois is connected to 1 scene, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesFrench paratroopers prepare for a raid on the Casbah after an Algerian prisoner reveals Ali la Pointe's location.
Ali la Pointe, Colonel Mathieu, Marc, Lagloy, MahmoudFrench military trucks move into position to surround the Casbah.
Colonel Mathieu, Marc, LagloyParatroopers raid the house at number three.
Ali la Pointe, Marc, MahmoudThe captain discovers the hidden wall compartment.
Ali la Pointe, MarcAli and his companions are trapped in the hiding place while the captain demands surrender.
Ali la Pointe, Petit Omar, Hassiba, MahmoudAli la Pointe enters a bar to find Hacene le Bonois, confronting an opium addict in the process.
Ali la PointeAli searches the streets for Hacene le Bonois.
Ali la PointeDescription of the brothel quarters area.
Ali visits a brothel to inquire about Hacene le Bonois.
Ali la PointeAli confronts Hacene le Bonois and executes him on behalf of the NLF.
Ali la Pointe, Hacene le BonoisThe Assistant Commissioner and his team navigate the dark Casbah streets to reach their target location.
Colonel MathieuThe team locates the target building and prepares an explosive device.
Colonel MathieuThe bomb explodes, destroying buildings.
The aftermath of the explosion is revealed at dawn.
The Casbah erupts in anger and Ali la Pointe tries to control the crowd.
Ali la Pointe, Petit OmarDjamila, Zohra, and Hassiba prepare for a mission under Kader's instructions.
Kader, Hassiba, Djamila, ZohraHassiba retrieves a package from a bread store.
HassibaZohra retrieves a package from a tailor shop.
ZohraDjamila retrieves a package from a craftsman.
DjamilaHassiba passes through a military blockade.
HassibaZohra passes through a military blockade.
ZohraDjamila passes through a military blockade.
DjamilaThe women meet an Algerian man to arm the bombs.
Hassiba, Djamila, Zohra, MahmoudHassiba plants a bomb in the cafeteria.
HassibaDjamila plants a bomb in the Milk Bar.
DjamilaZohra plants a bomb at the Air France office.
ZohraThe bomb explodes in the cafeteria.
The bomb explodes at the Milk Bar.
A young boy is killed by a mob after being suspected of carrying a bomb.
Colonel Mathieu and the paratroopers arrive in Algiers.
Colonel MathieuColonel Mathieu briefs his officers on the NLF structure and counter-insurgency methods.
Colonel MathieuA child is taken to a secret Koran school.
Children study in a secret school.
An Algerian man delivers a message about the upcoming NLF general strike to a teacher at a Koran school.
Ali la Pointe, Petit OmarThe Algerian man leaves the school and moves quickly through the Casbah.
Ali la PointeNLF strike notices are distributed throughout the Casbah.
The strike message reaches Algerian workers in the European city.
A young newspaper boy announces the strike to Europeans and an elderly beggar.
The Casbah prepares for the strike with a festive atmosphere.
The Casbah is sealed off by French soldiers as the strike approaches.
Colonel Mathieu and officers observe the Casbah and name the operation 'Champagne'.
Colonel MathieuA blind beggar is helped through the blockade by NLF militants.
Militants organize the movement of beggars and the homeless.
Kader and Ben M'Hidi discuss the strike and the safety of the hideout.
Ali la Pointe, Kader, Ben M'HidiAli and Ben M'Hidi navigate the rooftops.
Ali la Pointe, Ben M'HidiAli and Ben M'Hidi discuss the strike's purpose and risks.
Ali la Pointe, Ben M'HidiThe strike begins and French paratroopers invade the Casbah.
Ben M'Hidi is sealed inside his hiding place.
Ben M'HidiHelicopters and paratroopers force the population out into the streets.
Paratroopers force shops to open.
A paratrooper forces a shopkeeper to serve him.
Children react coldly to the paratrooper's candy.
Loudspeakers broadcast anti-NLF propaganda.
Paratroopers interrogate and arrest Algerians.
The port is deserted until workers are forced to arrive by truck.
Paratroopers force Algerians to clean the streets.
A youth is shot while trying to escape a military truck.
Colonel Mathieu speaks to journalists about the strike.
Colonel MathieuChildren steal the microphone from the police loudspeaker.
Petit OmarAlgerians are held at the paratrooper headquarters.
An Algerian is tortured to reveal NLF information.
A captain maps the NLF structure.
Paratroopers conduct raids based on information.
Zouaves march through the Casbah while supplies are distributed.
Mathieu plans the elimination of the NLF leadership.
Ali la Pointe, Colonel Mathieu, KaderThe NLF leaders hide in a cramped space.
Ali la Pointe, KaderNLF leaders Kader, Ali la Pointe, Ramel, and Si Mourad hide in a secret compartment while French forces search nearby.
Kader, Ali la Pointe, Mahmoud, Ben M'HidiThe NLF leaders emerge and discuss their next steps with Djamila while French loudspeakers broadcast propaganda.
Kader, Ali la Pointe, Mahmoud, Ben M'Hidi, DjamilaA bomb explodes during a football match.
Ben M'Hidi is presented to the press in handcuffs and defends the NLF's actions.
Ben M'Hidi, Colonel MathieuMathieu faces questions from journalists regarding Ben M'Hidi's death and the use of torture.
Colonel MathieuA montage of torture techniques used by paratroopers on Algerian suspects.
Petit Omar observes the atmosphere of the Casbah.
Petit OmarPetit Omar checks for messages at the school.
Petit OmarParatroopers patrol the Casbah and broadcast propaganda.
Ali la Pointe is discovered by a patrol while disguised as a woman.
Ali la PointeAli and his companions escape into a hidden courtyard.
Ali la Pointe, Kader, Mahmoud, Ben M'HidiParatroopers and dogs search for the fugitives.
Petit Omar delivers a message to the manager.
Petit OmarParatroopers interrogate residents.
And those who explode bombs in public places, do they perhaps respect the law? When you asked that question to Ben M'Hidi, remember what he said? No, gentlemen, believe me, it is a vicious circle. And we could discuss the problem for hours without reaching any conclusions. Because the problem does not lie here. The problem is: the NLF wants us to leave Algeria and we want to remain. Now, it seems to me that, despite varying shades of opinion, you all agree that we must remain. When the rebellion first began, there were not even shades of opinion. All the newspapers, even the left-wing ones wanted the rebellion suppressed. And we were sent here for this very reason. And we are neither madmen nor sadists, gentlemen. Those who call us fascists today, forget the contribution that many of us made to the Resistance. Those who call us Nazis, do not know that among us there are survivors of Dachau and Buchenwald. We are soldiers and our only duty is to win. Therefore, to be precise, I would now like to ask you a question: Should France remain in Algeria? If you answer "yes," then you must accept all the necessary consequences.
To all militants! After two years of hard struggle in the mountains and city, the Algerian people have obtained a great victory. The UN Assembly has placed the Algerian question in its forthcoming agenda. The discussion will begin on Monday, January 28. Starting Monday, for a duration of eight days, the NLF is calling a general strike. For the duration of this period, all forms of armed action or attempts at such are suspended. We are requesting that all militants mobilize for the strike's organization and success.
Algerian brothers! A great hope has arisen for us. The world is watching us. The next few days may be decisive for our future and our freedom. The colonial powers will attempt to demonstrate to the UN that the NFL does not represent the will of our people. Our response will be unanimous support of the general strike.
They are beggars and unemployed, homeless. We have organized things in such a way that during the strike they will be guests of other families who have homes and will provide shelter in the event of possible reprisals ... But I didn't know that they would be brought to this house too. It is a mistake.
Okay. But we want your promise for a fair trial in writing. Give us a written statement, Mathieu, and then we'll surrender.
Go up the stairs, and tell Kader that if they don't surrender, we'll blow up everything ... Do you understand?
Mathieu! If you give your word that you won't touch any of the other people in the house, we'll come out.
In my opinion, the NLF has more chances of beating the French army than the French have to stop history.
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