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518 Points
Which on-screen credits should be used for a film's cast section?
Different versions of the 1966 film The Battle of Algiers (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058946/) do not use the same on-screen credits for the cast. Not only does the billing order differ, but certain performers are only credited in one version. For the sake of simplicity, I will refer to them as Version 1 and Version 2.
In Version 1, the order is:
1. Jean Martin
2. Yacef Saadi (credited as Saadi Yacef)
3. Brahim Hadjadj (credited as Brahim Haggiag)
4. Tommaso Neri
5. Michele Kerbash
6. Ugo Paletti
7. Fusia El Kader
8. Franco Moruzzi
9. Omar
In Version 2, the order is:
1. Brahim Hadjadj (credited as Brahim Haggiag)
2. Jean Martin
3. Yacef Saadi (credited as Saadi Yacef)
4. Samia Kerbash
5. Ugo Paletti
6. Fusia El Kader
7. Omar
Below are screencaptures of the different versions. These are taken from the beginning of the film; there are no ending credits. As you can see, the cast credits appear at the same time, but again, the order and performers credited are different.
I am not certain where these versions originated from. I believe Version 1 is the original Italian theatrical release from 1966. It contains Italian words and the Italian theatrical release poster used the Version 1 billing order for its principal actors.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WMg5cVwvjc/VQeMse2gpYI/AAAAAAAALaA/IRGz7glSCpI/s1600/Battle%2Bof%2BAlgier...
Version 2 is on the Criterion Collection DVD. A French poster and an American poster of the 2003-2004 re-release used its billing order for the principal actors.
https://www.limitedruns.com/media/images/productimage-picture-the-battle-of-algiers-4969.jpg
http://images.moviepostershop.com/battle-of-algiers-movie-poster-1968-1020300751.jpg
The fact that Version 2 contains French words indicates it likely came from the French release (where the film was banned until 1971). I do not know why the contemporary US releases have the Version 2 credits, nor if any home media releases contained the Version 1 credits.
So which on-screen credit order should be used on the film's IMDb page? Currently, Version 2 is in use, probably because of its presence on the Criterion DVD. And should the performers who are omitted from the version we use be listed as uncredited?
In Version 1, the order is:
1. Jean Martin
2. Yacef Saadi (credited as Saadi Yacef)
3. Brahim Hadjadj (credited as Brahim Haggiag)
4. Tommaso Neri
5. Michele Kerbash
6. Ugo Paletti
7. Fusia El Kader
8. Franco Moruzzi
9. Omar
In Version 2, the order is:
1. Brahim Hadjadj (credited as Brahim Haggiag)
2. Jean Martin
3. Yacef Saadi (credited as Saadi Yacef)
4. Samia Kerbash
5. Ugo Paletti
6. Fusia El Kader
7. Omar
Below are screencaptures of the different versions. These are taken from the beginning of the film; there are no ending credits. As you can see, the cast credits appear at the same time, but again, the order and performers credited are different.
I am not certain where these versions originated from. I believe Version 1 is the original Italian theatrical release from 1966. It contains Italian words and the Italian theatrical release poster used the Version 1 billing order for its principal actors.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WMg5cVwvjc/VQeMse2gpYI/AAAAAAAALaA/IRGz7glSCpI/s1600/Battle%2Bof%2BAlgier...
Version 2 is on the Criterion Collection DVD. A French poster and an American poster of the 2003-2004 re-release used its billing order for the principal actors.
https://www.limitedruns.com/media/images/productimage-picture-the-battle-of-algiers-4969.jpg
http://images.moviepostershop.com/battle-of-algiers-movie-poster-1968-1020300751.jpg
The fact that Version 2 contains French words indicates it likely came from the French release (where the film was banned until 1971). I do not know why the contemporary US releases have the Version 2 credits, nor if any home media releases contained the Version 1 credits.
So which on-screen credit order should be used on the film's IMDb page? Currently, Version 2 is in use, probably because of its presence on the Criterion DVD. And should the performers who are omitted from the version we use be listed as uncredited?
gromit82
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10 years ago
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eboy
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10 years ago
I'm just doing research of the animated TV series (international co-production) which has a slightly different credits within the different versions. Meaning, that in some versions (e.g.) all four directors are credited to every episode, while in some version every episode has just one director credited (which is probably more accurate). I'm glad I noticed this, since it helps when I'm adding episodes.
But the real question is that how should we credit (e.g.) an actor that isn't credited on the "Italian version", but IS credited in the "French version"?
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bluerulesgreensucks
21 Messages
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518 Points
10 years ago
Like I said earlier, I do not know if the Italian credits appear on any current home media releases. I would naturally assume the Italian releases use the Italian credits, but I can't confirm that.
The only performer who appears to be in the French credits, but not the Italian credits is Samia Kerbash. We could either list her as uncredited (she technically was uncredited in the original release), have her share the same order number with Tommaso Neri (who has her billing position in the Italian version), or remove her order number, but not add the uncredited attribute.
That being said, Samia Kerbash and Michele Kerbash (who is credited in the Italian version, but not the French version) might be the same person. "Michele" is not an Arabic name and most of the cast members were Algerian. Furthermore, the film's Criterion Collection page attributes Samia Kerbash with the role of Fathia, which the IMDb page claims Michele Kerbash played. Unfortunately, since Kerbash was a non-professional actress who didn't appear in any other films, it's near impossible to confirm if Michele Kerbash was her pseudonym or a relative.
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