Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. The film is set during World War II and focuses on an American expatriate named Rick Blaine (Bogart) who must choose between his love for a woman named Ilsa Lund (Bergman) and helping her husband, a Czechoslovak resistance leader named Victor Laszlo (Henreid), escape from the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Germans.
Casablanca is considered an undisputed masterpiece and one of Hollywood's quintessential statements on love and romance. The film has only improved with age and boasts career-defining performances from Bogart and Bergman. It has been praised for its gripping narrative, unforgettable characters, and endlessly quotable dialogue.
Casablanca has won several awards and accolades over the years. It was voted the screen's greatest love story and the No. 3 film of all time by the American Film Institute (AFI). The film's characters, dialogue, and music have all become iconic in Hollywood movie history. It has also won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
The film is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time and continues to be celebrated by audiences and critics alike.
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Plot
The film is set against the backdrop of the early 1940s when Casablanca is a key transit point for refugees trying to escape Nazi-occupied Europe. The central character is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an American expatriate and the owner of Rick's Café Américain. Rick is a cynical and seemingly indifferent man who has distanced himself from his past and avoids taking sides in the war.
The plot is set in motion when Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), a woman with whom Rick had a romantic history in Paris, walks into Rick's cafe with her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech resistance leader. Rick is shocked to see Ilsa again, and it becomes apparent that their previous love affair ended abruptly in Paris with Ilsa leaving Rick for reasons that are initially unclear.
As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Laszlo and Ilsa need Rick's help to secure exit visas and escape to America. The plot is further complicated by the fact that the Nazis, represented by the suave and menacing Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains), are present in Casablanca and have their own interests in the affairs of the main characters.
The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the moral struggle against tyranny. It is known for its memorable quotes, including the famous line "Here's looking at you, kid," and the song "As Time Goes By." Casablanca is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in the history of cinema, winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Its enduring popularity is attributed to its timeless storytelling, strong performances, and the atmosphere of romance and intrigue set against the tumultuous backdrop of wartime Casablanca.
Cast
- Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine
- Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund Laszlo
- Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo
- Claude Rains as Captain Louis Renault
- Conrad Veidt as Major Heinrich Strasser
- Sydney Greenstreet as Signor Ferrari
- Peter Lorre as Ugarte
- S.Z. Sakall as Carl
Other notable cast members include Madeleine Lebeau as Yvonne, Dooley Wilson as Sam, and Joy Page as Annina Brandel. The film also features several uncredited roles, including a narrator, a bartender, and various guests at Rick's Cafe. The cast of Casablanca is widely regarded as one of the greatest ensembles in Hollywood history, and their performances have become iconic in the decades since the film's release.
Original Language: English
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writer: Murray Burnett, Joan Alison, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch
Box Office Gross: $4,627,326
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 1943
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008