The Battle of Algiers (1966)
The Battle of Algiers (French Title: La Bataille d'Alger; Italian Title: La battaglia di Algeri) is a 1966 war film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo. Based on true events that occurred between 1954 and 1957, the film depicts the rise of an Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) cell in Algiers, its violent confrontations with the French colonial authorities, and its eventual destruction at the hands of French paratroopers. The film is widely regarded as a classic by revolutionaries and governments alike for its realistic portrayal of urban insurgent and counter-insurgency tactics.
The following weapons were used in the film The Battle of Algiers:
Handguns
Smith & Wesson Model 10
Ali La Pointe (Brahim Hagiag) attempts to shoot a Smith & Wesson Model 10 at a gendarme during his first mission as an FLN guerrilla.
Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver
Ali surprises the gendarme with a revolver.
Ali pulls the trigger, only to realize the weapon was not loaded.
Mle 1892
FLN guerrillas make frequent use of the Mle 1892 Revolver during hit-and-run attacks on French gendarmes.
Modele d'Ordonnance Mle 1892 - 8x27mm SR
An FLN guerrilla aims a Mle 1892 at an unsuspecting gendarme.
A gendarme is shot by a guerrilla as he responds to a gunshot inside the police station.
A child guerrilla shoots a gendarme with a Mle 1892 retrieved from a waste basket.
MAB Model D
Gendarmes are armed with MAB Model D pistols, which the FLN guerrillas often capture after their attacks.
MAB Model D Type II - .32 ACP
A FLN guerrilla takes a pistol from a dead gendarme after shooting him in broad daylight.
M1911A1
M1911A1s are seen in the waistbands of FLN guerrillas. One is also seen on a table as Ali La Pointe (Brahim Hagiag) and his comrades plan an attack as French paratroopers close in on their location.
World War II issued Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP
An M1911A1 is tucked into an FLN guerrilla's waistband as they lead a crowd of angry Casbah residents.
Ali lays a M1911A1 on the table as he talks to Hassiba, Mahmoud, and Omar.
Submachine Guns
MAT-49
The MAT-49 is the most common weapon in the film, appearing in the hands of numerous FLN guerrillas and French soldiers. Virtually all of the paratroopers led by Colonel Mathieu (Jean Martin) use MAT-49s.
MAT-49 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm
Ali guns down an Algerian collaborator with a MAT-49.
A soldier fires the MAT-49 at a fleeing guerrilla.
FLN guerrillas fire a MAT-49 during an ambush.
Ali holds a MAT-49 while hiding from French troops. The large blank adaptor can be clearly seen in this shot.
French paratroopers hold MAT-49s during a standoff with some guerrillas.
A paratrooper fires a MAT-49 as a diversion as engineers set explosive charges to blast El Jaffar (Yacef Saadi) from his hiding place.
Rifles
MAS-36
French soldiers guarding the checkpoints around the Casbah carry MAS-36s.
Soldiers with MAS-36 rifles guard a checkpoint.
A soldier searches the residents as they leave the Casbah.
Col. Mathieu uses a film of soldiers at a checkpoint to point out their error in searching the residents in Arabic dress and letting those in European dress - including FLN guerrillas - through unmolested.
MAS-49
Some French soldiers carry MAS-49 rifles, distinguishable as earlier models by their longer length and lack of an integral grenade launcher/muzzle brake. A FLN guerrilla is seen with one after a raid on a police station.
A soldier with a MAS-49 patrols along the perimeter that is set up to seal off the Casbah.
Soldiers inspect the papers of Arab civilians.
A guerrilla flees with a MAS-49 after attacking a police station.
M1 Garand
At least one soldier is armed with an M1 Garand while rounding up innocent Algerians following a FLN bomb attack.
M1 Garand with leather M1917 sling - .30-06 Springfield
An innocent street cleaner is arrested by police officers and soldiers after the bomb attack.
M1 Carbine
Post-war M1 Carbines are used by some soldiers and a number of paratroopers.
M1 Carbine (Post-War) - .30 Carbine
A soldier with a M1 Carbine guards a checkpoint.
An M1 Carbine-equipped soldier arrests the street cleaner.
A paratrooper holds a carbine as they search the Casbah.
An M1 Carbine is seen when Col. Mathieu gives a final ultimatum to Ali.
Machine Guns
MAS AA-52
A paratrooper holds a MAS AA-52 during a standoff with trapped FLN guerrillas.
MAS AA-52 GPMG - 7.5x54mm French
The paratrooper watches as the guerrillas lower a basket for messages.
Other
OF 37 Grenade
Some of the paratroopers have OF 37 hand grenades attached to their webbing.
OF 37 hand grenade with F3 fuze
A paratrooper notices something wrong about a group of women in veils.
An OF 37 grenade is attached to a paratrooper's belt as they wait for guerrillas to surrender.
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