Paratrooper commander Colonel Mathieu, a former French Resistance fighter during World War II, is sent to Algeria to reinforce efforts to squelch the uprisings of the Algerian War. There he faces Ali la Pointe, a former petty criminal who, as the leader of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale, directs terror strategies against the colonial French government occupation. As each side resorts to ever-increasing brutality, no violent act is too unthinkable.

A documentary-like depiction of a nation's real-life efforts to expel a colonizing force, The Battle of Algiers puts viewers on the front lines with gripping realism.

'The Battle of Algiers' offers a raw, documentary-style portrayal of the Algerian War of Independence. It delves into colonialism, resistance, and brutal tactics, highlighting moral ambiguities and human suffering. The film's realism is enhanced by local actors and on-location shooting. Its narrative structure provides a comprehensive view of the conflict, making it relevant to contemporary issues of occupation and resistance.