The Battle of Algiers (Criterion Collection) Blu-ray

The Battle of Algiers (Criterion Collection) is a two-disc Blu-ray release of Gillo Pontecorvo's film about Algeria's fight for independence from France. Its nearly two-hour runtime and reported newsreel-like visual style suit viewers interested in political and historical cinema, though customer opinions about its entertainment value are mixed.

At a glance

Two-disc Criterion Collection Blu-ray of a film depicting Algeria's struggle for independence from France.
The listing gives both English-language audio and English subtitles.
Customer feedback praises the film's intensity, historical relevance and visual authenticity, while entertainment value is not unanimous.

Price

$24.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$49.95~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

View offer Ahead of Black FridayExplore the selection

Often bought together

Sorcerer (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD] [Blu-ray]

$24.98

Mulholland Dr. (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]

$23.25

Pros and cons

Pros

Two discs are listed, offering a physical edition for collectors of Criterion releases.
The film's political subject and reported historical realism may appeal to viewers seeking cinema with historical context.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Disc and playback details
Format	Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen
Number of discs	2
Runtime	2 hours and 1 minute
Language	English
Color	Color
MPAA rating	NR (Not Rated)

Film and release
Director	Gillo Potecorvo
Contributors	Brahim Haggiag, Fusia El Kader, Gillo Potecorvo, Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef, Samia Kerbash
Studio	Criterion Collection
Release date	August 9, 2011
Model number	CRRN2042BR

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 6.4 ounces

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The director's name is spelled “Gillo Potecorvo” in the listing, while the film description gives “Gillo Pontecorvo.” The contributor field also includes the former spelling. Confirm the intended credit if exact attribution matters. The page identifies the release as widescreen NTSC Blu-ray, but does not specify image resolution or bonus content.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers interested in political cinema and Algeria's independence struggle.
Collectors seeking a two-disc Criterion Collection Blu-ray.
Film students or history-minded viewers comfortable with intense conflict-focused storytelling.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a 4K UHD edition, which this listing does not identify.
Viewers looking for uniformly light or conventional entertainment, since customer opinions about entertainment value are mixed.

The Battle of Algiers (Criterion Collection) Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 856 ratings

5 stars78%78%
4 stars13%13%
3 stars4%4%
2 stars2%2%
1 star3%3%

Customer feedback describes the film as a classic with relevance to current conflicts, and highlights its intensity, emotional impact and newsreel-like visual authenticity. This aligns with the listing's historical and political subject, making it a potentially strong fit for viewers seeking serious, conflict-focused cinema. Opinions about entertainment value are mixed, so the film's approach may not suit every viewer.