(LA BATTAGLIA DI ALGERI, Gillo Pontecorvo, Italy/Algeria 1966, 123 min., French and Arabic with subtitles, 35mm)

A landmark achievement in mixing fiction and documentary styles, The Battle of Algiers covers three years (1954–1957) in the Algerian struggle for independence from occupying France. Ennio Morricone’s percussive, militaristic score adds just the right notes to this truly revolutionary movie.

(Terrence Malick, US 1978, 95 min., 35mm)

Malick’s sophomore effort is one of the most acclaimed features of the 1970s. Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, and Sam Shepard play the members of a doomed love triangle on a Texas wheat farm at the turn of the century, but the real star of the show is the almost overwhelmingly beautiful cinematography by Nestor Almendros (with help from Haskell Wexler). Ennio Morricone received his first Oscar® nomination for his lovely score, which also utilizes a memorable theme by Saint-Saëns. New 35mm print!

(Albert Brooks, US 1981, 93 min., 35mm)

In the opening scene of this most unlikely of romantic comedies, insanely neurotic film editor Robert (played by co-writer and director Albert Brooks) breaks up with his girlfriend, Mary (Kathryn Harrold), then spends much of the remainder of the film trying to win her back again! Meanwhile, Robert and his assistant (the late Bruno Kirby) attempt to complete an awful, low-budget science-fiction epic starring George Kennedy. Truthful and very, very funny, Modern Romance was also a personal favorite of Stanley Kubrick’s.

James Stewart stars as Bill, a penniless writer who agrees to a marriage of convenience with a showgirl (Hedy Lamarr) about to be deported.

Then at 8:45 p.m. THEY GAVE HIM A GUN

(W.S. Van Dyke II, US 1937, 94 min., 35mm)

Pacifist Jimmy (Franchot Tone) has experiences in World War I that lead him to a life of crime when the war is over. Spencer Tracy co-stars as Jimmy’s wartime comrade-in-arms who tries to get him to go straight. Two films for one regular admission price. Members admitted free.

(Jacques Demy, UK 1972, 90 min, 35mm)

Pop music superstar Donovan provides the tunes and stars as the title character in this fairy tale for adults from the director of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Adapted from Robert Browning’s poem and the original Brothers Grimm story set during the 14th century, the familiar narrative tells of a talented piper hired by a corrupt Burgomaster to rid his tiny village of an oversized population of rats. Demy’s politically engaged gem features a supporting cast of great British character actors, including John Hurt, Donald Pleasence, Michael Hordern, and the late Jack Wild (Oliver!). This screening of a new 35mm print will conclude a North American tour of The Pied Piper arranged by George Eastman House in collaboration with Paramount Pictures.