Cult Films: New 4K Restoration of The Battle of Algiers Heading to Blu-ray

British label Cult Films (formerly known as Argent Films) will bring to Blu-ray director Gillo Pontecorvo's classic film The Battle of Algiers. The release will be available for purchase on December 4.

Official studio synopsis: The Battle of Algiers tells the story of the life-and-death struggle between the French colonial government of Algeria and the Algerian Liberation Front, the FLN, who wanted the French out and were willing to set off bombs to do it. The French sent in their elite Paratroopers with the order to use Any Means to break the insurgent torture included. It s a true story, done on location with many of the FLN appearing in it, including the producer who was an FLN leader. This film is a passionate yet completely impartial record of struggle which led to Algeria s Independence.

Painstakingly restored in 4K by the multi-awarded L'Immagine Ritrovata -- with the participation of the director's son, cinematographer and director Marco Pontecorvo -- in collaboration with Cult Films, the 4K preservation of Pontecorvo's unique B&W vision was nominated for the Best Restored Film at the 2016 Venice Film Festival. The Battle of Algiers is more topical and burningly relevant today than ever…

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• NEW 4K RESTORATION of the film
• Interview with Dir. Gillo Pontecorvo on the making of the Battle of Algiers
• Interview with actor & producer S Yacef, head of FLN guerrillas, now Senator on the real battle
• Interview with FLN fighter Zohra Drif Bitat (guerrilla bomber and later wife of Algerian President)
• Exclusive in depth analysis by Director Paul Greengrass
• Exclusive interview with Director Ken Loach
• Booklet by Alan O'Leary (from his book on Battle of Algiers)