The Battle of Algiers (1966) — Banned in France for Five Years

The Battle of Algiers (1966) stands as the most politically disruptive film ever banned in France, suppressed for five full years until 1971. Its raw, handheld depiction of the Algerian independence movement led the French government to deem it a direct threat to national narratives, resulting in a ban lasting 60% longer than the typical political film prohibition of the era—outperforming #5 in duration by a significant margin. The film's sympathetic portrayal of anti-colonial resistance stirred deep institutional fear, making it a landmark of how cinema can challenge state power.