Casablanca (1942)

• Year: 1942
• Released: 23 Jan 1943
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Won 3 Oscars. 10 wins & 9 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Casablanca
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/casablanca
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English, French, German, Italian
• MPA Rating: PG
• Genre: Drama, Romance, War
• Runtime: 102 min
• Writer: Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch
• Director: Michael Curtiz
• Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid
• Keywords: black and white, noir, spy, nazi, corruption,

	8.5/10
	100/100

Casablanca Storyline

During World War II, Europeans who were fleeing from the Germans, sought refuge in America. But to get there they would first have to go Casablanca and once they get there, they have to obtain exit visas which are not very easy to come by. Now the hottest spot in all of Casablanca is Rick’s Cafe which is operated by Rick Blaine, an American expatriate, who for some reason can’t return there, and he is also extremely cynical. Now it seems that two German couriers were killed and the documents they were carrying were taken. Now one of Rick’s regulars, Ugarte entrusts to him some letters of transit, which he intends to sell but before he does he is arrested for killing the couriers. Captain Renault, the Chief of Police, who is neutral in his political views, informs Rick that Victor Laszlo, a resistance leader from Czechoslovakia, is in Casablanca and will do anything to get an exit visa but Renault has been “told” by Major Strasser of the Gestapo, to keep Laszlo in Casablanca. Laszlo goes to Rick’s to meet Ugarte, because he was the one Ugarte was going to sell the letters to. But since Ugarte was arrested he has to find another way. Accompanying him is Ilsa Lund, who knew Rick when he was in Paris, and when they meet some of Rick’s old wounds reopen. It is obvious that Rick’s stone heart was because of her leaving him. And when they learn that Rick has the letters, he refuses to give them to him, because “he doesn’t stick his neck out for anyone”.

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Casablanca Movie Reviews

A perfect film.

Although I have so far reviewed over 5700 films, I haven’t yet reviewed CASABLANCA–mostly because nothing I can say about the film can add to the many excellent and insightful reviews for this cinematic masterpiece. But, having seen it several times, I guess it’s worth at least saying a few words out the film.

Although Humphrey Bogart is one of the finest actors ever and he made many, many wonderful films, I think it’s not much of a stretch to say this is his best performance and best film. He was perfect for the world-weary and cynical Rick. Sure, African QUEEN, THE CAINE MUTINY and several other of his films were brilliant, but none come close to CASABLANCA because in my opinion CASABLANCA is a perfect film–or about as close to one as you can find. If IMDb were not so heavily weighted in favor of newer films (just look at the top 250), it probably would be at the top of the list. For example, you can’t seriously think that THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and THE DARK KNIGHT are better films, though they both are ranked higher on the list. Now this isn’t to say these are bad films–heck they are terrific,…just not in the same category as CASABLANCA.

Aside from Bogart, the film also is directed perfectly by Michael Curtiz–with excellent pacing, atmosphere and charm. The supporting cast is amazing–one of the best you could find in a film. In addition to the great stock Warner Brothers character actors (such as Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Cuddles Sakall), Conrad Veidt is the perfect scary Nazi, Claude Rains is his usual wonderful self, Ingrid Bergman luminous and Paul Henreid, though a great actor, is somewhat lost among all the immense talent! Amazing music, a top script and all the style and quality that Warner Brothers could muster–this is my pick for top film ever. A fine romance and a fine film about people.

One of the best black and white films I have ever had the privilege of watching!

Casablanca is just an extraordinary film, if I had to describe it in one word, it would have to be perfection! I honestly don’t care that it’s an old film, I personally think that’s not a convincing enough excuse for hating a film as wonderful as this , because you are seriously missing out, if you haven’t seen it. The cinematography is just fantastic, with clever brooding camera-work. The music by Max Steiner is outstanding, from the sweeping haunting love theme As Time Goes By, to the excerpts of the french national anthem. The scene where everyone starts singing in the café was extraordinary and one of the many highlights of the film. The screenplay is unquestionably one of the finest in the history of cinema, right up there with Shawshank Redemption and All About Eve, containing great memorable lines such as “seems as though Destiny is at hand”. The performances were superlative, Humphrey Bogart giving one of cinema’s greatest lead performances as the “cynical sentimentalist” Rick Blain. Also superb are Ingrid Bergman who positively lights up the screen as Ilsa, the young woman who breaks his heart, Paul Henreid as the fugitive husband, and Claude Rains as Captain Renault. The plot is a little complicated, but I couldn’t help being impressed with the performances and the screenplay. Not to mention a timeless love story that I don’t think has ever been topped. Overall, a masterpiece, that quite rightly received an academy award for best picture. 10/10 Bethany Cox

…..it’s still the same old story, a fight for love and glory, a case of do or die, the world will always welcome lovers, As Time Goes By.”

It’s one of the great Hollywood legends how George Raft helped make Humphrey Bogart a leading man by turning down in succession, High Sierra, The Maltese Falcon, and Casablanca. Maybe Raft showed some good sense in letting a better actor handle those roles. In any event we’ve got some proof in the case of Casablanca.

Check out some time a film called Background to Danger that Warner Brothers did with George Raft that also featured Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. Had Raft ever done Casablanca the film would have been a routine action/adventure story just like Background to Danger. Instead with Bogey we get that, but also one of the great love stories of the century.

Humphrey Bogart set the standard for playing expatriate American soldiers of fortune in Casablanca. Right now he’s between wars running Rick’s Cafe Americain in Casablanca in Morocco, an area controlled for the moment by the Vicky French government. He’s got his fingers in a whole lot of pies, but Bogey operates with his own code of ethics. He sticks his neck out for nobody.

Nobody except the great love of his life Ingrid Bergman who left him mysteriously in Paris as he was fleeing the oncoming German occupation. She walks back into his life with a husband, Paul Henreid who is a well known anti-fascist leader.

The rest of the film is a contest for Bogey’s soul. Torn between his great love, his own anti-fascist beliefs, and certain practical necessities of operating a liquor and gaming establishment in a hostile environment.

So many things combine to make Casablanca the great film it is. Ingrid Bergman’s lovely incandescence melding and melting Bogey’s cynical screen persona. The indelible characterizations of Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt and the whole rest of a 100% perfectly cast film. And the revival of a great ballad which serves as Casablanca’s theme song.

I say revival because As Time Goes By was introduced in 1931 in the George White Scandals on Broadway by Rudy Vallee. He made a record of it which sold quite a few disks back then. But by the merest of coincidences there was a strike that lasted two years that just began around the time Casablanca came out. The Musicians Union struck against the record companies. With no new records being made RCA Victor re-released Vallee’s record and it became a monster hit on revival.

Also when Casablanca came out as if the White House had a personal interest in the film FDR and Churchill had the first of their wartime conferences in—-Casablanca of all places. Jack Warner must have said a prayer for that to happen.

There are so many classic scenes and lines from Casablanca you can write a comment just by listing them. But my favorite has always been when the Germans have taken over Rick’s place and are singing some of their songs, Paul Henreid goes to orchestra leader and asks him to lead La Marsellaise. With a nod from Bogey, the orchestra plays, Henreid leads them and the rest of the non-Germans in the cafe join in. Over 60 years later, one still gets a thrill from that act of defiance.

Bogart and Rains were nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Any of the others could have been as well. As I said before Casablanca is perfectly cast right down to minor roles like Curt Bois as a pickpocket, John Qualen as a fellow resistance leader, and S.Z. Sakall as a waiter at Rick’s. If there was an award for ensemble cast, Casablanca would have won it. As it was it did win for Best Picture of 1943 and best director for Michael Curtiz.

Casablanca will be seen and loved by filmgoers for generations unto infinity, as time goes by.