What's So Great About Casablanca? Ask a Film Professor.
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- We all know Casablanca is a great movie -- but what makes it great? We talked to film professor Julian Cornell about why Casablanca is one of the classic love stories in cinema. Buy or rent Casablanca on Amazon: amzn.to/2pIc25I
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Thank God it was not made today, we would be watching Casablanca 5
LOL, you're right! I thought Godfather III would finally put that practice into the toilet where it belonged, but no!
Jack Joyce
it’ll probably be remade with a transgendered black actor who identifies as a 14 year old Asian girl as the lead.
Worse than that, Casablanca 5 with Democ-rats lingering around.
Hahaha you got that right
Didn't like the movie to begin with. Piece of ww2 era dreck.
For me, it's the scene where the French "sing down" the Germans in the club, that is particularly powerful. Only with cooperation, can we overcome tyranny.
Roger Dale i love that scene as well. The visual power of everyone standing up and overpowering the voice of the Germans is positively moving. I also love the character developments. Lazilo proves his reputation, Ilsa is shown how in love with Lazilo she truly is, the staff’s loyalties to Rick, and most importantly, Rick’s secret sentimentalism is subtly revealed. It’s a beautiful scene.
In today’s world, there’d be lots of American people shouting about intolerant Leftist snowflakes (the French) trying to stop freedom of speech and Conservative values (the Germans), sadly.
That scene is based on an event in Hungary. István Horthy, the son of the Hungarian Governor Miklós Horthy, was very found of England, and he made the band play the English Athem, when he (by accident)find himself in the same bar, as the Foreign Secretary of Nazi Germany. The incident made into international news...
There are only three American actors in the film and the rest of the cast were mostly European and personally affected by the war. The emotion and tears in that scene came from the heart.
@Bruno56 Back to your original point, this was - and still is - an intensely political film (and a great romance, of course). We shouldn't shy away from drawing parallels with our own times. That is what great art is - timeless.
The emotions of the crowd when they rise to sing the French anthem was more than just good acting. Many of the extras in that scene were refugees who had left Europe to get away from the German occupation.
@Bruno56 lol what is your deal? The French are not the only nationality that has conquered or were brutal to people. Certain Arab countries (and Islam) have been doing it for centuries. But we don't talk about that, huh. Doesnt suit the narrative that only "white" countries oppress people.
@Bruno56 I didn't say that. At all.
@Bruno56 not the point during the time the movie was made.
@Bruno56 nobody cares
@@lunasanja4574 your so disrespectful
The Notebook: Doing what *YOU* want.. no matter who gets hurt..
Casablanca: Accepting responsibility.
Real life: at some times the former is called for, on other times, the latter.
Mind blown?
I will say "the notebook" bothered me because the ferris wheel dude was holding himself hostage to get a date, like how rapey! but war holds hostages a bunch too, like isn't that's basically what giving laszo the bride basically equate to: objectification & commodification of a woman's sexuality?
Scarlett Jane
Brava!
@@eve36368 no because Elsa was far more than just a beautiful woman. If you watch the film you'll see was that she thought he , Laslo, was killed by the nazis. Laslo needed Elsa, she was his partner. She was not just baking cookies for her hubby and his men. She WAS part of that risistance. She was just as important to it as he was. Do you think only men put their lives at risk or were spies during wars? Did you know that the famous actress whose really a spy for the risistance in "Inglorious Basterds" was based on many german actresses who were spies for the allies. Sorry for the rant, but as a woman, it pisses me off that many so called "feminists" don't seem to understand that beauty and sexuality in a woman does not mean she's an hairhead or just a face or body and cannot think for herself. I often find it amusing that these days women can't seem to see that. Do we judge men solely on their looks? No, BUT we objectify them just as much. Don't you think Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and The Beatles and hundreds of other actors, singers or athletes have been objectified by women? When was the last time you saw a mob of teenage boys and men scream like banshies , cry and faint at the sight of a female sex symole? NEVER but , females do all the time. That is objectfication. Sorry for any mistakes but English is not my first language.
@@KM-cu7he It will never stop bothering me how people equate finding someone sexy with objectification. I mean, everything you said is correct, but if just thinking someone is attractive is objectifying them then maybe it's not even a bad thing.
"Of course I remember Paris. The Germans wore gray. You wore blue" Wonderful humor throughout the movie
@@michellelekas211 Your comment is historically accurate, but neglects mankind's need for legends and myths. There is humor throughout the movie and that's part of what makes it great - laughing in the face of tragedy.
@@michellelekas211 Apparently the Jewish members of the cast wouldn't have agreed with you. They were happy to add their collective efforts to the film, as was the great Conrad Veidt, who played Major Strasser. Veidt, a fierce anti-Nazi, was determined to portray his character as clever and evil, not as a stereotypical German buffoon.
"There are certain areas of New York that I would advise you not to try to invade."
@@mikef5881 Veidt received the highest fee for his appearance in ' Casablanca '.
@@michellelekas211 The Nazis didn't have authority in Morocco, since Vichy France was technically free. That's the whole point of the movie: Strasser can't just shoot Lazlo because it would cause an incident and embolden the Free French rebels. Remember that the Nazis had only a tenuous grasp on North Africa.
"I am shocked, SHOCKED to find out that gambling is going on!"
"You're winning, sir."
"Thank you very much."
Gold
"Monsieur Rick, could you ever forgive a woman loving you so much that your happiness was the only thing she wanted in the whole world” - it comes as a dagger to Rick's heart, and he turns to ice and looks away. He follows her question with: 'no woman ever loved me that much'. For me that was a powerful scene.
It is an exquisite scene in the movie.
That’s my favorite scencw
Rick tells her to go back and then honors her love and devotion for her fiancee by allowing him to win big on "22".
It’s impossible to do a remake of this masterpiece, I hope Hollywood never commits such an atrocious crime.
a remake of this work would be an insult. it wouldn't have the same impact and i hope it never gets remade.
Don't exaggerate. While i agree that this film is too decent to be remade, doing it wouldn't be "an atrocious crime".
Don't give them any ideas.
@@emiliomanueldepedro9650 That was written from experience; so many movies remade and almost all of them cringe worthy. Karen might feel different if the other efforts had worked out. Hearing that her beloved Casablanca was next on the chopping block....well...
They did - as an ill-fated TV series. But on the bright side, Warner's also did a fantastic cartoon version with Bugs Bunny - so very, very good- "Carrotblanca"
Casablanca helped me get through a very dark period in my life. I'd just come back from my fourth overseas deployment. I was trying to drink my pain away day and night with whiskey. My daughter's mother and her whole family hated me for being in the service, which kept me from being in her life during her formative years.
To top it all off, I'd just dumped a marvelous young woman that I probably should have married because I was planning on killing myself later that year, and I didn't want her to have to go through that experience or feel like it was her fault in any way. Additionally, this woman looked EXACTLY like a brunette version of Ingrid Bergman character in this movie. And I mean EXACTLY!
I used to spend hours alone in the dark with this movie playing on a loop, just drinking whiskey, trying to figure things out for myself. It was cathartic. Rick's pain and longing was MY pain and longing. His indecision was MY indecision. And in the end, we both did the right thing. He chose to take a stand against evil and oppression, and I chose to continue on living.
"Because, my dear (Bobby), I suspect that under that cynical shell you're at heart a sentimentalist." :)
Hope you’re doing well now - even a year later!
Well done.
How's your daughter?
Dieing is easy.
It takes courage and grit to live.
Live my friend.
Live.
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship with this channel
guys should say this to all women after they break their hearts to come to finish the job by pointing a gun at them go ahead youll be doing me a favor
Rejoy Panakkal I have to thanks to Renault for that scene..I still shock when rick prefer to send victor and Isla away.. I would feel hurt if rick end up in jail but Renault really "a good friend"
at least claude rains never broke his heart like dat bitch they probably became lovers in some nazi jail anyway@@keilet8582
It’s odd that that quote wasn’t among the iconic lines since I think it’s the most quotable line in movie. So much even Tenet has it at end
@2:21 Rick reads the dear John letter while standing in the rain. The letter from Ilsa. The ink is running. It is as if tears are falling on the letter. A nice touch of symbolism.
Right. Just one of about a million things in this movie that let's you know that you are watching a masterpiece.
I"'m shocked! Shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"
(gets handed a pile of money)
"Your winnings."
that cracks me up every time
reformedfruit hahhahaha.. I can't stop laughing at that scene.. in tense situation but suddenly crack like that
this place honest?
Made me laugh so much
This line has application today in our politics and business
i recently watched this movie for the first time in my film studies class in high school. right away, i knew there was something profound, poignant, and beautiful about the story. it’s really something special. one way i interpret it is that it’s mainly about redemption/humility. Rick went from “I stick my neck out for nobody” to letting go of his true love because it was the right thing to do.
Casablanca is unic the best Film i have Seen
History in film per chance?
my mum was a young girl in 1942, she bicycled 13 miles to Driffield Picture House, to watch the opening nite of Casablanca...and stopped at the Sykes monument on Garton hill while Hull was bombed in the distance
@@nader6560 LOL
Amazing story, thanks for risking being trolled by idiots like Nader to mention that.
@HerrNilssonTheMonkey chill
They were sad days, Mark. Thanks for sharing👍
thanks for sharing :)
One thing that makes this movie so great is Bogart, more specifically his voice. Put another less distinctive voice in his place and the movie would not be as great. His voice is a character itself. It demands attention. Just my opinion.
Later he died from throat cancer. RIP.
brigham2250 you are right, lately I addict to watch classic movie..and I know Bogart from Sabrina..Audrey and Bogart have such huge gap age to be couple but I still approved it cause Bogart's voices really something attractive
brigham2250 bogart has one of those presences that fits Richard Blaine’s character perfectly
Well spotted, and expressed with clarity. I totally agree.
You don't think Wally Cox could play the part?
:P
Rick: "Remember, Louie, this gun is pointed directly at your heart."
Louie: "That...is my least vulnerable spot."
Sometimes I'll fast forward to that scene just to hear Raines say that. I don't know of any movie that has so many memorable lines.
:)
So many memorable lines and so many given to Louie. Almost as if Claude Raines was able to blackmail the Director! Casablanca just barely makes it into my top 50 moves, but Claude Raines' performance is my #1 All time, best supporting actor. Louie is so flippant, he should be perceived as "cartoonish," yet Raines somehow brings humanity to the role. How the hell did he do that?
@@jackm4457 Because that's the true essence of a REAL actor. The ability to humanize a fictitious character. Very few actors today have that gift.
john dates and then, there’s “make it 10,000 francs, I’m just a poor corrupt official “...
@@jackm4457 Humanity on display near the end of Casablanca where Capt. Renaud pours a drink of water from a bottle labeled "Vichy" he drops the bottle in a trash can and kicks it away. I think it shows that Renaud discovered or rediscovered his "patriotism".
Probably other renowned offerings such as "GWTW" and "TWOO", although each of those contain perhaps half of "Casablanca"'s total quotable output. One particular film of which I've seen reviews of by critics, bloggers, podcasters, video customers and the like (although will never make the groupings of the "greatest movies ever produced" listings yet still loaded w/ numerous memorable lines as pinpointed by said reviewers) is the 1955 Christmas comedy "We're No Angels", and happens to share a couple of aspects of "Casablanca" in that Humphrey Bogart plays in the lead role and it was also directed by Michael Curtiz.
Captain Louis Renault "I'm making out the report now. We haven't quite decided whether he committed suicide or died trying to escape."
lol, and that fuck went head-first into his own bullet
Excellent... Csablanca is one of those movies that never dies.. you can watch it a hundred times, and always found something new...
Indeed. I've seen it at least 25 times. It never disappoints me.
Lex Arias find not found
Jack Benny is supposed to be in this movie, an extra I suppose; I have yet to spot him.
yes me too , i've watched casablanca more than 50times
Don't need to find anything new, it's perfect just the way it is.
Nothing about Claude Rains?! He was the icing on the cake! No Casablanca without his wonderful performance.
must of been a sunny day when they made this review
The best actor, in my opinion.
"I am shocked, SHOCKED to find out that gambling is going on!"
"You're winning, sir."
"Thank you very much."
@@yes-fq6jd Don't be ridiculous! Rains was a SUPPORTING actor. No one compares to Bogie in Casblanca so quit trying to be trendy, we're on to you!
@@irened. I am not being ridiculous. And I am certainly not trying to be trendy. Sure, Bogart was good (everyone was really good), but Rains has a certain charm, whilst having class at the same time. Rains as the police chief was brilliant to watch.
@@yes-fq6jd yes I agree. I like every character, Rains & all the actors are great. I'm sorry if I pegged you in the trendy box but I see that a lot in fandoms of great films. It's become trendy to disregard the work of great actors, (ie Bogart) and gloss over their performance on account (typically, not saying you here) that "they were the character, chose cos of theirsame personality" when they actually gave a poignant performance and we don't know what their real personality was like. It is the dismissal of certain such iconic stars that gets to me. Thanks for your polite reply :-)
"I like to think that you killed a man. It's the romantic in me."
Who but Claude rains, right?
At one point I speculated he was a blacklisted communist but that doesn't work either.
This film opened the door to classic movies for me...a door that, now open, I can never shut... I owe it so much!!!
Good for you. Classic cinema is a great joy.
I am so happy to read what you wrote. Do the same thing with music. There are just so many wonderful movies (this being the best of the best) and songs. Life would be so bland to miss them.
don't forget to open your mind and heart to foreign film and music!
It was 12 angry men for me. I have seen hundreds of movies since but it has never left my top 5 of all time.
Parasite was similar in the fact it opened up the world of Asian cinema for me. I owe that film a lot
This is, far and away, my favorite movie. Every little detail of every scene is fraught with meaning. I think my favorite is the scene where Berger, the Norwegian, is talking to Laszlo and Ilsa at their table. Louis approaches the table from behind Laszlo. When he sees them talking he stops and waits for them to finish and Berger to leave before approaching and introducing himself to Laszlo. It is very easy to pay attention to Laszlo and Berger and not see Louis do this. When you notice it though, it tells you a great deal about Louis. He obviously knows who Berger is, and probably has a good idea what they are talking about, but he doesn't interrupt. The movie is filled with little things like that. I see something new every time I watch it.
What you are enjoying so much is the best DIRECTING and ACTING that you will see in the cinema.
@@SimonGardiner-bj3pq Absolutely. Completely true.
Bogart’s ability to play the cynic wrestling by empathy is what makes him such a great actor. He does this in The Maltese Falcon, The Harder They Fall and the Big Sleep
A great actor. RIP, Mr. Bogart.
I've seen it dozens of times and it never ceases to inspire. EVER!
Such a brilliant film! Even the Captain loses his cynicism at the end by throwing away the Vichy water (symbol of German-occupied France) and by deciding to help Rick by "rounding up the usual suspects."
I don't think he loses his cynicism, he just satys true to his oppertunistic roots. Allying with Rick after Rick just shot a German officer in front of him (at his airport, under his watch) is by far the wisest course of action.
floooooooooooooooood he French ...he did lose his cynicism.
Thoughtful presentations on filmmaking, with detailed insights, clean narration and non-gimmicky effects? Wow! This channel is the best!
Nothing was said about the soundtrack - which is probably one of the best elements of this movie. Max Steiner does incredible things in this movie, like taking the French national anthem and reworking it into the soundtrack in many different iterations, and the detailed underscoring is just so well done. Not to mention the use of the song "As Time Goes By" in the soundtrack itself, as well as diegetically.
I started this video, paused it, went and watched Casablanca for the hundredth time and fell in love all over again.
Such a great movie...thanks for making this...good stuffs!!!
I absolutely love this movie, I've watched it dozens of times and I always notice some new subtle device or metaphor I previously missed. A true timeless classic, thanks for the analysis!
I watch this twice a year, with my first-year Film History students, at two seperate schools. I never grow tired of it, and find myself getting involved and excited every time.
If there has ever been a better film made, i have yet to see it.
Humphrey Bogart was one of so few actors that could say so much with just a look.
The Dark Knight
Jk
peter pepper I can think of one a French film Le Samurai starring Alain Delon. Classic film.. he had very little dialogue.
And the twitching of his mouth.
The Human Condition by Kobayashi.
I have seen Casablanca a few dozen times, so when I took the opportunity to go with a friend to a showing of the film in a restored 1920s theater, it was so cool to experience the reaction of the crowd. I knew every line, but the crowd did not, and I got vicarious enjoyment when they gasped at the surprises and laughed at the jokes. Seeing it with a crowd was a little bit like seeing it for the first time again.
Werner S - Television, cable, blu ray, and such is cozy and intimate, to say nothing of convenient, but there is something about a shared experience that is a force all it's own. You get the feeling of being a part of the experience. Being isolated at home cannot give that. And seeing it on a theatre screen must have been amazing. I envy you.
Very well made, the one element you left out is, Ingid Bergman and others involved with Casablanca recalled it was the most chaotic and confusing experience of their careers - the script was constantly changing, the ending we see was only decided upon practically the day of shooting it, she was quoted as saying she was very depressed during the last phase of filming because she was certain it would be the worst disaster or her career
" How extravagant you are Rick, throwing away girls like that. They may be scarce one day ".
Women
rationed
@@Andrew.Dufresne Damn, nearly out of ration cards.
The irony is not lost on China.
The thing that I love about it is the supporting actors. Not only those with many scenes like Karl and Sasha, but even the lace salesman only appears once, but absolutely nails his lines, his timing while he is being ignored by Ilsa and Rick but continues to try to make a sale is perfect
This is my favorite movie of all time. Rick’s redemption is a thing of beauty, but the rest is wonderfully sublime. Thank you!
David Mamet put it well when he described the arc of Rick's character as moving from that of a man trying and failing to answer, 'How do I solve my problems?' to 'What sort of man am I?'
That pivot for me is the moment the girl asks if it would be moral to submit to Reynault. His look of rage and self pity is that of a man who knows his solutions to life have failed. That is some of the greatest acting in American film.
And that killing response: "No one ever loved me that much"
@@PackerBronco Punches right in the face everytime he says it.
THIS.
THIS!!!!!!!!!
The greatest romance of them all.
No film makes you dream more.
Love lost, regained, and ultimately let go.
To be so pure, that you put your needs before the greater good.
Not just your needs, BUT TO SACRIFICE THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE.
If only we could be so good, so idealistic.
This movie makes you dream about the perfect version of yourself.
Screenplay is hands down the greatest of all time.
Bogie and Bergman have the greatest chemistry in film history.
There is no such thing as perfect.
Casablanca is the closest man has yet to come.
It shows you how fast life goes by. I remember watching this movie years and years ago. Life is soooooo short when I look back and think when I first saw it. The clock is ticking.
Ah yes. This is true for so many movies and operas. I keep a log book for that. I find that during this boring and dangerous coronavirus quarantine time is speeding by. In another week it will be September and soon it will be 5071 the Jewish New Year. "If not now, when?"
Great Review.......I've been watching Casablanca for over 50 years, countless times, it just never gets old from watching it, time and again. Still my favorite film that certainly lasts the test of time, which really makes it a timeless film. Play it, Sam.
"..it just never gets old from watching it.." - and I never get old from watching it either!
First saw Casablanca in the old Adelphi theatre in Carlton Victoria . it was 1945 and i was 7 - didnt understand all its implicattions at that time but heard as Time Goes By and it got fixed in my memory
still get so much from just watching again and again
mteman22 I just saw it yesterday. I didn't think anything would be better than The Godfather, but in my entire 17 years of life, I haven't seen a film better than Casablanca.
The best movie I've seen
Now that you're 20, has your opinion/top spot changed?
This will always be my favorite movie of all time.
This is truly one of the greatest and best films ever made. Every time I see it I fall in love with it all over again.
By the way, what the review forgot to mention is the important of the Hayes Office Production Code. The love scenes are restrained because they had to be (3-second rule, etc.) - but more importantly, it is left an open question if they make love again in Casablanca. These innuendos are handled perfectly, but are actually thanks to the Production Code, and make the picture so much more refined and polished.
Which also resulted in the same question re: "The African Queen"?
I like to think they didn't. This would create another level of contrast between the Bogart & Rains characters, and it rings true with the theme of love sacrificed.
Of course they made love as she reaffirmed her love for Ricky and told him that she would never leave him again...also, Ricky told Laszlo at the airport that Ilsa pretended to be in love with him, and he let her in order to get the transit papers.
She pretended she still loved me and I let her pretend. No doubt in my mind what happened there
I worked with a film student on a 48-hour slasher flick. His school essentially enforced the Code on its students, and he resented it. I tried to tell him that this was an opportunity to shine, because the restrictions create a barrier that foster creative writing. The ambiguity of Rick and Ilsa's night together is a good example. It allowed the savvy audience to see between the lines.
7:34 I've heard people say Bruce Willis always plays himself, but never Bogart. In Maltese Falcon he was the obvious tough guy but in The Big Sleep his character showed a lot more vulnerability. Particularly when he appeared to lose his nerve after being forced to kill a gangster. In The Cane Mutiny, Bogart was a crazed paranoid while in African Queen he was part bum and part clown. I can't help but think of Humphrey Bogart as hands down, one of the greatest actors of any era.
I wholeheartedly agree. I don't get why he said Bogart always played himself. Not true at all.
Bogart was brilliant in the Maltese Falcon. His character was so nuanced and so well played weather through his dialogue or just mere facial expressions.
Not just Willis, most of current-day so-called actors can only play themselves.
Feel like his performance in Treasure of Sierra Madre also deserves a call out. Bogart's descent into madness in that film is one of the most effective I've seen on film, and represents another unique facet of his talents.
I love Sidney Greenstreet, who says, after Bogart complains about paying too much for supplies, "Carrying charges, my boy. Carrying charges." Now that's what I say whenever someone doesn't like my price.
How about his fly-swatting?
@@bettinae9552 I had to think for a moment, and then I was reminded of that -- thanks! He probably added that touch, showing what a despicable character he is for exploiting others' misery. (he openly says the market for slaves is the best part of the black market!)
@@ArgoLupus I never looked that deeply into whether Ferrari's motivation was anything more than wanting to swat a pesky fly. It's a great "bit" though, and always makes me smile. Ferrari also has a wonderful quote that's mostly overlooked among all the great quotes from the movie -- "As leader of all illegal activities in Casablanca, I'm an influential and respected man." Years ago I managed to tape an audio recording of the movie. Too bad that's gone.
@@bettinae9552 There are no words for how much I appreciate movie buffs like you! " "As leader of all illegal activities in Casablanca, I'm an influential and respected man." You are right! So hilariously understated.
@@ArgoLupus Thanks Tye, that's a lovely compliment! Here's another one for you, from another movie with lots of great quotes, The Maltese Falcon. The one that gets me every time is Sam's line to Effie, "You're a good man, sister." I so miss the days of revival houses here in NYC. I think the last double feature I saw before the Regency closed was Casablanca and Humoresque. You can't top that, and it's just not the same as watching on TV.
The most iconic movie of the Golden Age of Hollywood. I rate it as the best movie of all time, leaving everything before or since in the dust. What's so great is that the elements all fell together almost by accident; there were so many loose ends even as they went into production. IT was very much a product of it's time, since the outcome of World War II was in no way a forgone conclusion at the time of production. I would (arguably) offer that it has hints of divine intervention, or at very lest, remarkable inspiration form everyone involved. I sometimes wonder how for many service men and women this may have been the last movie they ever watched....
Service WOMEN??? C´mon, cut it up with the sham PC!!!!
Great comment
I watched this even though it was like "preaching to the choir"; Casablanca had been my favorite film since I first watched it. I could watch it another one hundred times and never get tired of it; there is just so, so much in this movie. It has one of the greatest songs in it (As Time Goes By), only bettered by "The Wizard of Oz" in film history. It absolutely has the greatest dialogue of any film in history. It has Bogart and Bergman and both of them are absolute gold. It also has an amazing array of other actors and Claude Raines is priceless. Finally, when Victor Lazlo marches down and has Rick's band play Les Marseillais and the French girl who had flirted with the German soldiers stands up signing, with tears running down her cheeks.......at that moment I am French and ready to stand up to the Nazi threat right there on the spot. God bless everyone involved for making this film.
Omg Julian Cornell was one of my professors at NYU!!! So glad to see him again
I'm , shocked ! Shocked ! That you didn't feature the closing of the cafe scene with the GREAT Claude Rains !
Bit of trivia: Claude Rains was Bette Davis' favorite leading man.
I love that line! I use it myself in an ironic sense whenever possible.
Funniest moment of the movie.
Jorge Ponce i love that moment along with the 1940’s equivalent of Louis saying “no homo but Rick is super hot” to Ilsa
Really great dissection of a masterpiece!
What's great about Casablanca? Practically everything. I can't think of a movie that had a better ensemble. The cast is terrific from Rick down to Sasha. Even the pickpocket is great.
And many of them played starring roles in various classic films.
Claude Rains stole many scenes, he was great! He had some of the best lines and he knew how to say them to make them timeless.
What is great about Casablanca? It's a war movie, an adventure, a love story - it even has brilliant comedy. It is beautifully shot, brilliantly cast, and flawlessly acted.
"Ilse, I'm no good at being noble" says Rick, who in giving up the woman he loves so that she may find happiness, is the noblest man in Casablanca.
Thank goodness they went for Bogart, instead of the original first choice to play Rick; Ronald Reagan.
Probably the best screenplay ever written.
Ronald Reagan was never considered for the role. That is a popular myth. George Raft on the other hand...
@Thomas Paine Sad truths!
@Thomas Paine - he also enabled families and corporations to acquire lots of media outlets in one area, leading to monopolies - which has caused the horrid homogenezation of the US media; plus, he caused the world to see the US as a bunch of ignorant yahoos that love to have things go BOOM, and to play with guns.
LMAO!
Don't have to ask. One of the best showings of two amazing actors ever.
It may be a result of the studio system (or just the duds don't get watched), but I think the acting of this era is some of the best of American movie making. I am also thinking of the scene in "Key Largo" where Claire Trevor and Lauren Bacall communicate with just facial expressions.
the acting in that era was more like stage acting being filmed. not saying it's bad or good just that's what it was
Key Largo is my Favourite Bogie & Bacall Film .... Doesn't hurt that Edward G. is the Bad Guy either!
At 70, I've watched & enjoyed many B & W movies, especially 'film noir' - " Double Indemnity " & "Touch of Evil" being high on my 'faves' list ( you should check them out! ); however, even though I love the lighting in 'Casablanca', I appreciate it more now that the review points out how it adds to the story- I need to watch it again soon... keep up the good work!
I just watched this with my teenage son and even he watched it all the way through and said it was good. No looking at any devices during it. :)
He'll appreciate it more as he gets older. Good for you for introducing him to these beautiful old films, these works of art.
You and your son are blessed to have each other. He'll appreciate it more as he gets older.
4:12 that smile -- GODDAMN
The first time that I saw Casablanca on a movie screen happened in a recently restored old school Chicago theater ( whose name escapes me at the moment )
The 50th Anniversary Print of the movie had just been released and the theater was showing it to celebrate their re-opening ..Most of the audience was dressed in the way that the original Casablanca audiences would have been dressed and like Rocky Horror audiences , most of the audience knew every single line in the movie
Casablanca is a great movie that really needs to be seen at least once in a big movie theater
A few years ago, back before the great plague that wiped out rational thought, we were on a cruise through the Panama Canal. On transit day they were also playing "Casablanca", and of course I am not sitting in a theatre on the day we are crossing the Isthmus of Panama. That evening I went to customer service and explained my dilemma and how "Casablanca" is my favorite movie (I watch it on my birthday every year). About a day later I get a message that there will be a new screening in the main theater. They moved the guy who was giving the historical talks back a bit to make room for it. There were maybe 15 people watching with me including the history guy. One young couple, seated near me, had never seen the movie before. It was a great deal of fun watching and listening to them as they reacted.
one of the best movies EVER !!!
The cast was composed of refugees from Europe. Wasn’t mentioned in the review.
THE best movie ... EVER.
Not only did Bogart have that unique, manly look about him but his his classic style and voice are unmistakable.
Raymond J A
Algiers
Beautiful ! We will always have Paris........
The first time I watched Casablanca was on tv and I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. Then I watched it at the cinema and finally understood all the fuss.
It is a perfect film, romance, dancing, music, comedy, amazing dialogue, incredible acting and beautiful costumes.
I have lost count how many times I have watched it and it always feels like the first time.
Thank you for posting this video.
‘Casablanca’ is renowned and is justly acknowledged as one of the most romantic films of all time but it is much more than the tale of a love triangle. Of course, it shows that the power of love can affect the human psyche, as demonstrated by Rick’s metamorphosis.
This film has so many levels to it that it takes many viewings to appreciate them. The main theme is not romance but self-sacrifice as the film’s message to the world at war is to give up the personal agenda for the common cause. It reminds wartime audiences, many of whom have loved ones fighting abroad, that their situation is the same as that of Rick, Ilsa and Victor.
The screenplay is so intelligently written. It is a masterpiece of complexity, containing subliminal political opinions and messages all carried along on a thrilling plot with brilliant one-liners and memorable quotes, comedic elements, together with contemporary, social commentaries. Basically, the film is politically motivated because it is a plea to America to join the war. Please note that the action takes place in pre-Pearl Harbour, December, 1941.
This is the the first non-musical movie to use music almost as an another protagonist, (which Tarantino does now). For example, ‘As Time Goes By’ is a valuable recurring theme and, in Paris, Rick and Ilsa dance to ‘Perfidia’ which means untrustworthiness. Also, ‘Love for Sale’ is played during the dialogue when the Bulgarian girl tells Rick about her ‘offer’ from Renault.
Michael Curtiz’s direction is multi-faceted: Documentary, Film Noir, German Expressionism, Flashback etc. He is the master of creating the plot via seamlessly connecting a series of rapid-fire vignettes.
There is subtle direction and cinematography. For example, Ilsa wears black and white clothes and is cast in shadows and in a mirror which symbolise the ambiguity of her role.
POINTS OF INTEREST AND NOTES FOR SUBSEQUENT VIEWINGS.
Rick’s initial selfishness, (I stick my neck out for nobody’), is a metaphor for USA indifference. It must be remembered that the events and politics are hard to comprehend and put into perspective for current audiences than for those living through WW2, not knowing who the victors would be.
The script can be considered as a 'State of the Union' address, both for home and foreign policies, in which there are references to Civil Rights, as embodied in Sam and, of course, the debate about America’s involvement in the conflict.
Each character represents a country e.g. Two Japanese plotting; the Italian on the tail of the German; American indifference; French collaborators; the British robbed by foreign policy. Even the Balkans are mentioned via the Bulgarian couple. Quite evidently, Rick’s actions symbolise the USA in its change in policy from isolationism to participation and ‘….the beginning of a beautiful friendship…’ is the USA and Europe joining forces to fight Nazism.
The significance of Letters of Transit is a metaphor for the might of America’s power and resources and must be delivered to the right side.
The ‘La Marseillaise’ scene is the pivotal moment in which both Ilsa and Rick realise that saving Victor is more important than their own personal relationship. It also comes in just as Rick and Victor are about to argue over Ilsa but both drop the issue when they hear the music. This scene is rousing now but imagine how it must have felt for audiences right in the middle of the war when Germany seemed invincible and modern viewers need to put it in perspective in terms of world events full of Nazi and Japanese domination and when the outcome looked very bleak.
The facial close-ups used throughout the film speak a thousand words: but particularly note Ilsa during ‘La Marseillaise’ when her expressions show her admiration of Victor’s power and her realisation that this must be preserved at all costs.
In any case... there is so much alcohol!!!!
POINTS TO WATCH
‘It’s December, 1941 in Casablanca: what time is it in New York?...
I bet they are asleep all over America’. PEARL HARBOUR
‘Even Nazis can’t kill that fast’
CONCENTRATION CAMPS
‘I don’t buy or sell human beings..’
CIVIL RIGHTS
The Bulgarian couple keep appearing as symbols of hope and determination.
In the bar room fight over Yvonne, Rick attacks the German only and not the Frenchman.
Captain Renault dumps the bottle of Vichy water to represent his rejection of the Nazi- collaborating French Government which was located in Vichy.
Just one example of the excellent and complex scriptwriting occurs immediately after the roulette scene. The girl thanks Rick for letting her husband win and Rick replies, ‘He’s just a lucky guy’, which, on the face of it, refers to the gambling, but, in Rick’s mind, means that the husband is ‘lucky’ because his partner truly loves him.
"Casablanca" & "The Godfather" two of the greatest films to ever grace the silver screen.
They are 2 of my favorite films.
The whole trilogy?
And Conan the Barbarian, if one actually understands the film, the philosophy and the message
Add Citizen Kane and you have my personal top 3.
watch the childrens hour with audrey hepburn. or whos afraid of virginia wolf.
One of my favorite facts about Casablanca is that they started filming when they were like 1/2 way / 2/3 way through the script. The writers didn’t even know how the movie was going to end, which makes not knowing the end the first time watching it all the more interesting!
This is one of my favorite channels. Please, keep making more videos!
Watching this classic again, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon.
This Review illustrates why it should be a crime to to watch Casablanca in color.
I think I wouldd like to watch Casablanca in colour ! - When Laurel & Hardy videos were rereleased (VHS back then) - Itreated my self to a set -And the were very good ! -The colouring was not done in Primary or Garish colours - But subtle pastal tints like those old hand painted photographs would be done in ? -II found I noticed more going on in the back ground in some scenes too -With then being highlighted in colour ? - I have searched for a coloured version since mid 90's when I found out it was colourised in 1985 ...
... I can see both sides to this argument - And it should be left as it was when released in 1942 ? but as the saying How do you know untill you have tried it ?
wizard of oz should be seen in b&w all the way through!
meesalikeu, This is a bad take.
In black and white Casablanca is a work of art. To colorize it would be like colorizing the photographs of Ansel Adams. It would be a travesty.
"That quote's never actually said verbatim in the movie"
Internet:
MaNDeLa eFfECt
How do spell Berenstain in these parts? :)
There's so much depth and everything that happens, adds to the story, the film. The precision, how meticulous it is. The type of movie I'd like to learn from and make someday. This video really gave great insight, thanks 😊
The classiest classic of classics.
This movie changed my life
the dialogs and the drama
The last 15-20 min of the movie might be the greatest moments in cinematic history. Just absolutely amazing.
I still watch it.
What makes this one of the, if not the, greatest love story ever filmed is that true love is fulfilled, just not in the trite Hollywood way that one expects. Rick does not only the noble thing, not only the thing that is best for the world, but also the thing that is best for himself and Ilsa, even if she does not realize it at the time.
It is a movie that makes the viewer feel good, feel uplifted, feel fabulous, without manipulation or false note (contrast with, say, "Rocky.")
This was soooo good. I love great storytelling.
I just watched it for that first time. WOW !!
I watched it for the first time in the late 70’s. I was amazed. It was head and shoulders the best movie I’d ever seen.
It's still my favorite movie of all time.
There is a major mistake in this review. The Lady narrator and the Professor state that Rick's sending Ilsa away at the end with his speech etc. is because of Rick's new "awareness" of the right thing to do for the world at war. This is only half correct as Claude Rains says "She knew you were lying" and her teary eyes as she walks to the plane with "Victor Lazlo" shows that clearly. Rick had the first thought to keep Ilsa safe in America and secondarily to "do the right thing" and fight the Nazis. To think otherwise is to ignore the lines. "Ok but this is a story without an ending" inquiring if she would stay with him and "I won't have the strength to leave you again" by Illsa after they had made love. This actually gives the entire Film a grounded sense of how real people think in complicated situations and validates the entire love story which is really the "Heart" of the story.
Made love. What film did you watch?
@@paulbrasier372 Seriously? Of coarse it is implied they made love. What film were you watching?
@@usrt46 I'm pretty sure they didn't. That's why they always have Paris, where they did fuck
@@AnzuBrief But in the final scene Rick says we'll always have Paris, if we lost it we GOT IT BACK last night.
@@usrt46 I supposed that's a valid way to interpret it. But for me, Rick lost Paris after she sent her the note in the train station. He became bitter because he thought she had been playing with him all along, and her love for him was a lie. Last night, he saw that she truly had loved him, perhaps loved him still. So he could finally be at peace with what had happened and recall Paris without any bitterness.
The movie is so great because there is no one valid interpretation, I guess. Who did she love more? We can have opinions, but the truth is that not even the actress knew that.
Personally, I think Rick values honor even more than love. She is married to a man he respects. She loves him, but she loves her husband too. He is holding something she wants, something she would do anything to get. That's dangerous.
From the moment Rick realized that she would choose him over his husband (she would choose to love Rick, but she was still saving Victor), he got over his bitterness and decided to be noble and "do the thinking for the both of them". That's how I see it, anyway.
Im always so amazed by your breakdowns. Truly eye opening
One of my favorite films, and yet I never saw more than snippets until I was in my 30's. It's a beautiful and beautifully made movie. Interesting analysis, thanks.
Great dissection!
Curtiz is given enough credit as a director. I accept that 'Casablanca' is the result of uniformily excellent cast and crew (and producer Hal Wallis), but Curtiz gives the film such energy, pace and precision that he is due 'A Michael Curtiz film' credit.
BTW Julius Epstein wrote the gabby gabby script!
@@michellelekas211 Not completely. Howard Koch (of "War of the Worlds" radio fame) and Epstein's twin brother Philip were the three collaborators on the script.
@@mikef5881 Look, people needed to work and they needed to eat. This is the history of Hollywood.
I just watched it! I LOVE IT! my favourite film to date!!!!
Renault's final twist is also very good... I love this character
Thank you ... perfect.
My favorite film.
MIne too. They weren't trying to make a classic. It's the craft. They were just trying to tell a story as best they could, the writers, the directors, the crews, the actors, all of them, and this time they had the craft, and it all came together.
Oh... and perfect comic timing.
Yes there are a lot of variables that can go wrong when making films not to mention fickle public tastes changing.
Casablanca had such an incredible cast of actors, especially the supporting roles, Peter Lorre, Sidney Greenstreet etc. The guy that played Emile, the roulet wheel operator, was a famous leading man in European Movies before the war. A lot of the supporting cast were refugees and top performers from Europe; makes for an incredible movie.
Hello beautiful how are you feeling over there today?
Beautifully photographed.
Still wonderful cinema with great actors.
For me, it's the minor character story arcs that in the end braid together to clarify the main characters' story arc.
I always thought this was better than Citizen Kane. The Godfather (I & II) and Silence of the Lambs are also, in my opinion, some of the best-made films but Casablanca is the one I could watch over and over.
yeah, a little Citizen Kane goes a long way, but Casablanca is always fresh.
the fact that you don't get bored no matter how many times you watch it!
I wish we had more episodes like this. I really really like this one
Like many commenters I have seen, digested and grown up with this film. Regardless of my re-examination there is one thing I remain adamant about: I have literally NO DOUBT, NONE that Ilsa wanted to stay, would've stayed and walked away with regret in her eyes.
There is a novel called "As Time Goes By" that picks up the story as the flight leaves and Rick and Louis hit the road with Sam to make their escape. It addresses Rick's backstory, how he meets Ilsa again in wartime London and how ultimately Lazlo chooses the completion of a mission to kill Heydrich over his love for her....not classic but not bad really.
I love this review of my favorite movie, "Casablanca", as much as I love the movie. Thank you so much for giving me so much more to love.
Without doubt my favourite film of all time. I have watched this film dozens and dozens of times but to truly appreciate the greatness of the film one needs to watch it on the BIG screen.
A really good summary,and I watched Casablanca again last night and still loved it.