British Pathe

Unissued / unused material - dates and locations may be unclear / unknown.

Title reads: "The Surprises of History". "A Report of the Recent Events in Algeria and the Official Visit of General de Gaulle."

Algiers, Algeria

High shots of massed cheering crowds assembling in...

Unissued / unused material - dates and locations may be unclear / unknown.

Title reads: "The Surprises of History". "A Report of the Recent Events in Algeria and the Official Visit of General de Gaulle."

Algiers, Algeria

High shots of massed cheering crowds assembling in the Forum of Algiers on 13th May 1958, when a Committee of Public Safety was set up. Crowds wave French flags and chant "Algerie Francaise". The demonstrations started by European Algerians are joined by hundreds of thousands of Moslem demonstrators. Marching crowds of Moslems and Europeans waving banners and French flags. Various shots of veiled women joining in the march and assembly. Various shots of Moslem women removing their veils. Aerial shot of crowds gathered in the Forum.

A short biopic of Charles de Gaulle showing De Gaulle in Paris after the liberation at the end of World War II.

Moslems and Europeans marching in Algeria. Following his election as Prime Minister, De Gaulle's visits Algeria on June 4th. De Gaulle laying a wreath at the War Memorial. De Gaulle walks through the crowded Forum as the crowd sing the Marseillaise. A fly-past of planes in the shape of the double cross which appears on banners in the crowd (the Cross of Lorraine). De Gaulle appears on the balcony and addresses the crowd. He says: "France considers that there is only one category of inhabitants in Algeria. There are only French people with a full share in the nation. French people with the same rights and the same duties." Various CU of the crowd dancing about. Addressing the Algerian nationalists who had been fighting for the last four years, he says, "I, de Gaulle, open the doorway of reconciliation to you". He ends by saying, "Never more than here, never more than this evening have I felt how fine, how generous France is." Pan across cheering crowds singing Marseillaise.

Scenes of de Gaulle waving to the crowds from his open-top jeep. CU European woman pan to Moslem woman. He travels to the towns of Constantine, Bone, Oran and Mostaganem. He walks through the streets lined with cheering crowds. He lays a bouquet at a War Memorial. Street sign for town, "Clemenceau". Street sign for the town "Mostaganem". In Mostaganem, he again speaks to crowd of mainly Moslems. MS From back, De Gaulle addressing the crowd, saying, "Algeria is for me, one of the heaviest responsibilities of history."

Note: "Date received" on original paperwork reads: August 1958. An English version of French documentary "Dix Millions De Francais", with English commentary. The French version is item UN 3127 A.