The Battle of Algiers15

Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo | Algeria | 1965 | 2h 1m | Arabic w/ English subtitles | Starring Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi, Samia Kerbash, Ugo Paletti

The story of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale’s struggle to gain freedom from French colonial rule, seen through the eyes of a petty criminal who rises to prominence within the resistance movement. Shot on the streets of Algiers documentary style, the film pulsates with raw realism and serves as a compelling case study in modern warfare, one which stands as one of the most influential political films in history.

Reviews

‘A riveting reconstruction of the struggle for independence in mid-50s Algiers, its pseudo-documentary style still feels as headline-fresh as its content.’
★★★★★
Matthew Leyland, BBC

‘Brilliantly directed set-pieces and remarkable thronging crowd scenes make the film a masterpiece; the ominous familiarity of its subject makes it a must-see.’
★★★★★
James Christopher, The Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Battle of Algiers between May 26, 2024 and May 29, 2024.

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What else is on?

Today (Thursday 26th March)

14:45

The Testament of Ann Lee 15
Descriptive subtitles
2h 17m
From poverty in England to revolutionary America, Ann Lee’s spiritual vision and utopian dreams shape the lives of a newly formed religious community. Mona Fastvold’s sweeping historical epic stars Amanda Seyfried as the founder of the Shaker Movement.

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17:45

Sirāt 15
1h 54m | Spanish, French & Arabic w/ English subtitles
Oliver Laxe’s intense, hallucinatory road movie follows a father and son through Morocco as they try to find a missing relative at various sprawling, illegal raves. Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2025.

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20:30

Blue Morpho U
1h 45m
Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien joins us for a Q&A screening of short film Blue Morpho, focussing on his journey through the wilds of Wales as he prepares for the release of his new solo album. A special event screening plus two short film screenings by director Kit Monteith.

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Tomorrow (Friday 27th March)

15:15

The President's Cake 12A
1h 45m | Arabic w/ English subtitles
During 1990s Iraq, schoolgirl Lamia is chosen by her class to bake a birthday cake for Saddam Hussein. With her pet rooster beside her she searches the town for ingredients in an award-winning debut about childhood resilience and life under dictatorship.

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17:45

Sinners 15
2h 18m
Twin brothers seek a fresh start in their 1930s Southern hometown but uncover an evil lurking beneath the surface. Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan reunite for this chilling supernatural thriller set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow-era South.

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20:45

Sirāt 15
1h 54m | Spanish, French & Arabic w/ English subtitles
Oliver Laxe’s intense, hallucinatory road movie follows a father and son through Morocco as they try to find a missing relative at various sprawling, illegal raves. Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2025.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!