Casablanca

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

My local PBS station showed Casablanca last night. Even though I own a copy, I thought I'd watch it.

No wonder it is forever deemed excellent. It's tight, spare storytelling, yet with many intricacies. And the noble love, sacrifice, and honor is so compelling. Great lines in great settings spoken by great actors.

If you speak German, you'll also have been tickled by the conversation of the older couple discussing the time. "What watch?" and "Such watch?" he asks. In German, the way to ask the time is "Wieviel Uhr ist es?" in which "Uhr" can also mean "clock" or "watch" in addition to "time."

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

I love your description of the film, and your translations, @GingerPeach!

Looking forward to more reviews from you in future.

Montana · ‎03-09-2010

I heard so much about this movie before I ever saw it. And, in my opinion, one of the few that lived up to the hype.

My favorite scene is when Ilsa threatens to shoot Rick over the letters of transit. My heart melts when she finally wilts, lowers the gun and says, “If you knew how much I loved you; how much I still love you”. Oh, such romance!

Definitely one of my A-list movies.

Highlands72 · ‎06-04-2016

I watched it again on PBS, even though, like you stated, I have this movie on dvd and have seen it many times.

While I have often heard it described as a love story between Rick and Ilsa, my take is different. I see the real love story being between Victor Laszlo and Ilsa. While she fell in love with Rick in Paris, thinking that Laszlo was probably dead, it was a much different type of love than what she had with Laszlo. She not only loved Laszlo, but also admired and adored him for his bravery and conviction to the cause. She was willing to sacrifice her own happiness and remain behind in Casablanca with Rick in order to ensure Laszlo's safety.

Regardless of how it is interpreted, I never tire of this movie, and the performances all around are so compelling. The little "touches," like the scene with Sakall that you mentioned, as well as the scenes with Greenstreet in the marketplace, add so much to the overall feel of the movie.

Nataliesgramma · ‎03-28-2015

I love old movies like this when there wasn't all the special effects thrown in and they actually had to develope the characters....

Group 5 minus 1 · ‎03-11-2010

The best part is when one of the nazis asks for the band? to play Deutchland Uber Alles and Victor leads all in the French national anthem.That is a true patriot moment.

PS: Love that guitar w/the fringe.

I ain't fraid of no ghosts.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

My favorite movie and IMO the best that has ever come out of Hollywood. Has a great story, great actors, great director (Michael Curtiz), great music. A perfect movie.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

A few years ago we saw it in a movie theater it was amazing to see it that way

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@Group 5 minus 1wrote:
The best part is when one of the nazis asks for the band? to play Deutchland Uber Alles and Victor leads all in the French national anthem.That is a true patriot moment.
PS: Love that guitar w/the fringe.

@Group 5 minus 1 That's one of my favorite scenes also. I also love when Ilsa asks Sam to "play it" and he does, and the ending of course, the moment when Louis decides whether to arrest Rick or to "round up the usual suspects."

I have seen this film many times in a movie theater, at film festivals of one sort or another, as well as many times on TV. I never tire of it. When I've seen it in the movie theaters, I just love how everyone claps and cheers when Louis decides to "round up the usual suspects." Even though I know how it ends of course, that moment is always suspenseful to me.

One of my favorite things about this film is the cinematography and use of shadows. I can't even "go there" imagining colorizing this film. It is perfection as is.