Reviews & Ratings for
Casablanca More at IMDbPro »

Page 7 of 94:

[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
"... human life is cheap.", 1 June 2009

Author: cordaro9418 from United States

Where to begin..? Originally believed a 'B' film in their product, Warner Bros. never conceived the effect the movie would have. Shot in sequence due to a script written daily, the actors never knew what to expect from the characters day after day. The fact that not even the writers knew who would win the girl till the night before the classic scene was shot. And yet 'Casablanca' is listed at No. 2 on the AFI top 100 films of all time (though should, in all actuality, be flip-flopped with 'Citizen Kane' for the top spot). With success in 'High Sierra' and 'The Maltese Falcon' (Thanks in large part to a rather ignorant George Raft) Bogart was well on his way to being a legitimate leading man. This film would make him a legend a studio star and later, a legend. Sure his body of work was the main factor, but 'Casablanca' in hand with 'Falcon' created the mystique of Bogart which films like 'To Have and Have Not' and 'The Big Sleep' only fueled. A mediocre effort from Warners which molded many of their castaway Euro-stars into a great and well written tapestry where everyone stole the scene from everyone else in such fashion it appeared seamless. The film moves along introducing us to each character in perfect detail, the harsh environment of Casablanca, that war-torn sweat-box which could easily double as a Tatooine spaceport from 'Star Wars', and the Nazi imperial rule who smothers them all. Never looked upon as epic and not even filmed as such 'Casablanca' exudes Epic film in a nice tidy package. With all around fantastic effort from everyone on screen with a great turn by Claude Raines the film is a must see and worthy of No. 2 on the list (sandwiched between 'Kane' and 'The Godfather'). Quickly paced and keeping you in your seat, get the popcorn and don't even think of going to the bathroom.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Play it again, Sam, 8 November 2006

Author: pyrocitor from Ontario, Canada

One would be hard pressed to find a list of "Best films ever made" without Casablanca included on it - indeed, if any movie was to be singled out as the most laudable and classic picture of all time, there is no doubt that Casablanca would be right up there in the running, if not bestowed the title itself. But don't be scared off by thinking Casablanca has coasted by all these years on its hefty reputation - even now, more than 60 years down the road, this film stands the test of time as one of the most influential, inspiring, quotable and just plain well made creations Hollywood has ever come up with.

But one could go on all day listing different adjectives detailing Casablanca's classic status, so I'll try to bite them back and give a bit more of an analysis of the film. Director Michael Curtiz brings the film together with a touch which is daring, yet steady as a rock, presenting a powerful yet entertaining portrait of the days of Nazi occupied France, a message of hope shining through and the tumultuous love affair which grew in the midst of them - in short, the perfect period piece.

The cinematography is excellent for the time, sporting a simply beautiful, film noire sheen. The movie's high point (if one could be selected) is its wonderful screenplay, which is without a doubt, one of the single best of all time - both witty, bitingly political, classy, and filled with too many endlessly quoted lines to count. ("Here's looking at you kid" "I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship" and "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she had to walk into mine" only being the tip of the iceberg) The endlessly referenced ending actually comes as surprising, but fits the tone of unrequited love perfectly, and shows how daring and unique this wonderful movie must have been in its time.

Humphrey Bogart is at his stoically iconic best here, creating a touching portrait of an infinitely complex and flawed man with layer upon layer of exquisitely written characterisation ("what's your nationality?" "I'm a drunkard") to peel away. The beautiful Ingrid Bergman also gives a timeless performance as Bogart's mysterious past lover, and Paul Henreid makes a wonderful addition to the most classic love triangle of all time. The movie also manages to include several incredibly entertaining character roles, including the superb Claude Rains as a sympathetic police officer, Sydney Greenstreet as a corrupt club owner, and the deliciously creepy Peter Lorre in a far too brief supporting role.

Suffice to say, Casablanca is one of those films one can shamelessly say they have enjoyed time and time and time again - there are far too many subtle nuances to be caught and enjoyed in a single viewing, and the movie has a replay value next to none, making them easy to catch. Casablanca is billed as the most classic love story of all time, yes, but there is ultimately so much more to it than that. Safe to say, the term "must see" applies here if you have yet to do so, and if you are among those who have already experienced the classic, there's not the least bit of shame of wanting to play it again, and live the magic one more time.

-10/10

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
A True Classic Without Any Doubt, 3 October 2006

Author: ragosaal from Argentina

There's not much to say about "Casablanca" that hasn't been said already. However this film made Bogart a myth, Bergman a major star, Rains an everyone's favorite and a song an all time classic.

The sequence in Rick's Cafe when Victor Laszlo asks the band to play the "Marseillese" against the Nazi officer's singing of a German sort of military tune is deeply touching and one of the most remembered scenes ever in a film.

"Casablanca" remains as one of the greatest drama-romance-War World II settled films ever made even that time has gone by for more than 60 years. Unmatched yet.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Casablanca, 23 September 2006

Author: jvilleden from United States

What can be said that has not already been said about this film for the ages? Allstar cast made up of the usual subjects...Bogie, Sydney, Peter (also together in "Maltese Falcon"). Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa never looked better...she is absolutely perfect for the time and place. Sam, the Coupier, the bartender, the waiter, and of course Louie, generate the same electricity, heart, soul, in this one magical blend as we have seen in long running sitcoms like 'Taxi', 'Mash', and especially 'Cheers'. You will want to see it over and over again. A movie the entire family can watch, no censorship needed. It grabs you from the opening narration and doesn't let go...The ending is a classic. 'Casablanca' and you; The start of a beautiful friendship.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
It's simply ---- GREAT, 26 August 2006

Author: caa821 from Tulsa OK

This movie can only be described as GREAT - and it gets even better with the passage of time and the more you see it. The tone of the story, and the presentation of the legendary Bogart persona, and his most famous characterization, Rick, the American ex-patriot owner of the famous Casablanca night club, is completely exemplified in two early scenes. The essence of "cool" and "authoritative," Rick is in the private area of his establishment. Sitting alone at a chess board, he nods to his large guardian (in Mideastern attire and fez) at the entry door as to whether persons seeking entry are to be permitted or not. One man, tall and pompous, a key official (perhaps the head) of Deutsche Bank, gets a "no" nod from Rick. As he protests, Rick joins the guard at the door, and indicates the man must limit his patronage to the bar. As the man, protesting still, hands Rick his card, Rick rips it and tosses the pieces aside.

The arrogant big-shot shouts, "What!? Do you know who I am!?" Rick,/Bogie replies with his unique look and tone, "I do; you're lucky the bar's open to you!!"

Next, Peter Lorre, as the smarmy, little, shady character, Ugarte, sits down at Rick's table. He has the "Letters of Transit" which he later gives to Rick for keeping, and which comprise a key element to this story.

But before this, conversing, he says to Rick, in his quiet nasal voice, "You despise me, don't you?" To which Bogie replies, "Oh, if I gave you any thought, I probably would."

It would be worth watching the entire film if only those two brief exchanges were all there was to enjoy. But they are only a preliminary to a picture and story which have offered everything one could desire, but even more as time passes. The drama, the depiction of the mood of the time and feeling of WW II, and sensational performances from the four principals - Bogart, Bergman, Rains and Henreid - and Lorre, Greenstreet, Wilson, Veidt, and the remainder of the supporting cast, all provide one of the most entertaining couple of hours you can find, regardless of medium or period presented.

Regarding this turbulent time during the maturation of WW II in Europe and northern Africa - as an historical, nostalgic representation of that part of our history, and this film's representation of the best of Hollywood's craft during that era - it provides us more to appreciate today than it did when produced, or when it may have been viewed during years past, and closer to the time period of the story.

If someone were to place a gun to my head and demand a criticism of any aspect of this film, the only thing I could cite would be the thought that Henreid's Victor character show perhaps a bit more energy and charisma. Henreid was one of Hollywood's most suave, virile, "continental" characters, and the man who was already noted for his lighting two cigarettes simultaneously, for Bette Davis and him in "Now Voyager." In "Casablanca" we are given to assume that the fate of the free world may hinge on his patriotic, underground leadership, and that the Nazis must fear his abilities more than Eisenhower's or Montgomery's. Granted he would have been low-key in not wanting to stir-up the authorities while seeking to leave - but Paul seemed to "lower the key" a bit more than he might have in his performance. However, this is minor, and in no way diminishes this film's greatness.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
The best, 21 August 2006

Author: murphyatlg from United States

Any man who has a true love should rent or buy a copy of Casablanca. The look on Ilsa Lund's face when Rick walks into the lounge and their eyes meet cannot be described. I wish that someday a woman will look at me that way. The best movie ever made! Conrad Veight was the highest paid actor to appear in the film. Dooley Wilson could not play the piano a lick. There have been many bars with various names connected to "Casablanca" but they are all shams. "Sixty Minutes" on CBS did a segment on the movie with Harry Reasoner reporting. It was done on the set of the movie in Hollywood. Harry told the behind the scenes story about Ronald Reagan being cast as Rick but it didn't work out. At the end of the piece Harry spoke of the first time he saw the movie. He mentioned the lady he saw it with and finished - "if you are watching tonight,'here's looking at you kid".

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
One of the best American films ever made, 14 December 2005

Author: Taye Talbot from United Kingdom

Casablanca is certainly one of the best and admired American films ever made. A subtle yet enthralling adventure set against the backdrop of World War II in Morrocco, it simultaneously plays as a romance film, an exotic intrigue film, and a wartime drama. However, the sum of it's parts produce a film that eludes straightforward classification.

Directed by the talented Hungarian director Michael Curtiz and shot almost entirely on studio sets, the film moves quickly through a surprisingly tightly constructed plot, in spite of the fact that the script was written each day as it was filmed and no one-not even the director-knew the ending. Curtiz debated up until the last day of filming who would use the two exit visas in order to escape. Apparently three weeks after the principal shooting ended, the producer Hal Wallis contributed the famous final line, and the last shot was taken on a fog-shrouded runway.

Casablanca is such a flawless film and a testament to the fundamentals of film-making, cinematic narrative, acting, directing, and editing, it is inconceivable that it could ever be remade.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
The Best movie in Hollywood history, 13 November 2005

Author: molinaurrustiaga from Argentina

Well... What can I say about Casablanca that no one has say before? Bergman on her best role, Bogart is the typical "guapo" from the tango.

Prefect Renault, Ugarte, even Sasha... not to mention Sam! Definitely, everyone goes to Rick's!

Perhaps there are other movies with an enormous production, extras and other stuff...

But Casablanca is the best movie in the entire world of movies just for one reason:

There is no scene that you can cut! Eerything is in it's place, as in no other movie.

Ten fingers for the greatest movie ever made!

Let's go to Rick's, not to The Blue Parrot

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
"Everybody comes to Rick's.", 5 October 2005

Author: classicsoncall from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"Casablanca" has been my favorite movie for the past thirty years, and each annual viewing further cements that standing. For me, it's the perfect film, with perfect characters, locales, action, romance and dialog. In fact, it is the most quoted movie ever, including a line that was never even uttered (Play it again, Sam).

It's hard to imagine that during the studio days of the 1940's, "Casablanca" was just one more movie being pumped out a week at a time by Warner Brothers. The story itself, based on a stage play "Everybody Comes to Rick's" went through continuous rewrites, even as filming was under way. Fortunately, the vision of a handful of gifted artists ultimately found it's way on screen, with a cast as colorful and star studded as any before or since. Even the music, composed for the film by Max Steiner is perfect, dominating the Paris flashback scenes of Rick and Ilsa's fleeting romance.

Now picture if you will, the original contenders for the three acting leads in the film; Dennis Morgan for Victo Laszlo, Ann Sheridan for Ilsa Lund, and George Raft or Ronald Reagan for the part of Rick Blaine. If that had actually occurred, the result may well have wound up in obscurity, but instead, Warner Brothers went out of their way to hire on Ingrid Bergman, on loan from David Selznick in return for Olivia DeHaviland. For the part of Victor Laszlo, Warner signed up Paul Henreid who was under contract to RKO Pictures. Coming off a successful on screen collaboration in "The Maltese Falcon", Humphrey Bogart as Rick was once again supported by Peter Lorre as the scheming Ugarte, and Sydney Greenstreet as the conniving owner of the rival gambling joint, "The Blue Parrot". Rounding out the major film credits, Conrad Veidt successfully sneers his way into Rick's world as Nazi General Major Strasser; and for sheer delight in a characterization, there's none to equal Claude Rains' portrayal of Prefect of Police Captain Reinault. Rick and Ilsa may have always had Paris, but Rick and Reinault have always had Casablanca.

The ultimate outcome of the film was not known during early film production in May of 1942. It was not until brothers Julius and Philip Epstein, brought in for their humorous wit, both got their inspiration in a single moment while driving down Sunset Boulevard - "Round up the usual suspects". Cleverly interjecting the elimination of the hated villain Strasser by the film's hero, the film successfully answers the question of who gets the girl. Ilsa, in love with one man but devoted to the cause of another, must resign herself to the fate entrusted to Rick the night before - "You have to think for both of us, for all of us".

Even world events conspired to help "Casablanca" achieve it's unparalleled success. Originally to be released in June 1943, Warner Brothers' dedication to the war effort was matched by the Allied landing in North Africa in November 1942, in Casablanca. Shortly after on Thanksgiving Day 1942, the film opened in New York following a wildly enthusiastic pre-screening. And in a well timed follow up, the general release date of January 23, 1943 coincided with a conference between President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill in Casablanca.

"Casablanca" cemented Humphrey Bogart's reputation as a romantic leading man, and made Ingrid Bergman a very popular star. Though each would continue on in highly successful careers, they would not appear in another film together, and that's probably for the best. Both artists achieved their master work in "Casablanca", and how do you top a perfect?

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
difficult to put it as "romance", 7 August 2005

Author: shutterbug_iconium from Türkiye

At last I found the chance to see this time-honored movie.(I am just twenty-one)How could I describe Casablanca? It is a thriller that has an unpredictable ending?It is a romance for people who have stuck between Scylla and Charybdis to make a hearth-breaking choice at least ınce in their lives? It is a drama for everyone who has lost a love in their long lives? Well Casablanca is actually cannot be included in one genre, it isn't just a romance either. It shows that romance is not all about a slushy emotionalism. It is all about feelings yes but it includes drama,a realistic nature,a realistic fight for love in a war-torn French soil. I guess that's why people still like it.Just because today some people still think romance is just about mawkishness we don't see a new Casablanca around and it's highly possible possible that we won't see again but Casablanca will be always with us.

Page 7 of 94:

[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

Add another review

Related Links