planktonrules Review of Algiers

Algiers (1938)

So much like the original French film, why not watch that one instead!?

[7/10 · 20 December 2006]

In practically every way, this is a copy of the earlier French film PEPE LE MOKO which starred Jean Gabin instead of Charles Boyer (in the American version). So, I am left to wonder why people would want to see this Hollywood version when they could just watch the earlier film instead? This is especially true in the early part of the film when lousy stock footage is used to represent the streets of the Casbah in Algiers in the American film, but the French one looked like it was filmed on location. About the only other major way the films differ are at the end. In the French film, he commits suicide in a VERY unconvincing manner, but in the American version he is killed. I must say that the ending of ALGIERS was a lot better, but aside from that my nod goes to PEPE LE MOKO. Neither film are great, but very watchable and very stylish in the way they portray this slick master criminal.