Overview
In the swirling fog of World War II, Casablanca emerges as a beacon of intrigue and sacrifice, a timeless cinematic masterpiece. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film tells the story of Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical nightclub owner torn between love and duty, and his former lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) who reappears in his life and upends his world.
Casablanca’s magic lies not just in its captivating plot but also in its unforgettable characters. The film pulsates with wit, from the sardonic exchanges between Rick and his piano player Sam to the barbed banter between jaded refugees and Nazi officials. Every glance, every whispered word, adds layer upon layer to the emotional tapestry of the film.
But beyond the humor, Casablanca tackles themes of love, loss and the struggle against tyranny. The film’s many iconic lines, such as “Here’s looking at you, kid,” and “We’ll always have Paris,” are not merely pronouncements; they are echoes of a yearning for a world beyond the darkness, a symbol of the enduring power of human connection.
More than just a love story or a wartime drama, Casablanca is a testament to the power of cinema. It’s a film that continues to resonate, to move us to tears and laughter, reminding us of the choices we make in the face of impossible odds. So, step into Rick’s Café Américain, raise a glass, and lose yourself in the timeless enchantment of Casablanca.
Year released: 1942
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Dooley Wilson
Wiki site: Visit
Video at
YouTube ($), Prime Video ($), Apple TV ($) and many other premium channels.
Awards & Recognition
Academy Awards
Won: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay
Nominated: Best Actor (Humphrey Bogart), Best Supporting Actor (Claude Rains)
(Amazingly, Ingrid Bergman was not even nominated for Best Actress, even though this was one of her finest performances.)
Did you know?
By one measure (see here), Casablanca is the most quoted movie of all time. The top six quotes from the movie are:
Here’s looking at you, kid.
Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Play it once, Sam, for old times’ sake. Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’.
Round up the usual suspects.
We’ll always have Paris.
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
Interestingly, the third quote above is also one of the most misquoted. Contrary to popular belief, the words “Play it again, Sam” are never uttered in that exact order in the film.
Casablanca was based on the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick’s that was acquired by Warner Bros.
Although it may be hard to believe about this perfectly made film, the script was often improvised on the set and the tangled storyline was resolved not long before the final scene was shot. The quote from Umberto Eco below puts it best:
“Casablanca is not just one film. It is many films, an anthology. Made haphazardly, it probably made itself, if not actually against the will of its authors and actors, then at least beyond their control. And this is the reason it works, in spite of aesthetic theories and theories of film-making. For in it there unfolds with almost telluric force the power of Narrative in its natural state, without Art intervening to discipline it.”
Additional Information
Several books have been written on this amazing film, including the following:
Casablanca: Script and Legend, by Howard Koch (1995)
Round Up the Usual Suspects, by Aljean Harmetz (1992)
Casablanca: Behind the Scenes, by Harlan Lebo (1992)
