Casablanca (1941)

3.24.09

History Through Film

Mr. Glasier

Casablanca

              “Probably on more lists of the greatest films of all time than any other single title, including Citizen Kane’, because of its wider appeal; while Citizen Kane is ‘greater’, Casablanca is more loved.” - Roger Ebert

Casablanca is the world’s most popular romantic movie about World War II. It has an award winning cast including Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Like most movies made in the 1940’s it has a theme relating to the war. In fact, Casablanca was one of the first movies to deal with war. The story is a bout a couple that runs into each other in Casablanca, Morocco. Ilsa, Bergman’s character, escapes to Casablanca with her husband, Victor Lazlo. Lazlo is wanted by the Germans because of his role in the resistance. At a Rick’s American Café Ilsa finds Sam, an old friend of hers from Paris. She asks to hear “As time goes by,” the theme of the award winning soundtrack.

        “You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss,

A sigh is just a sigh. 
The fundamental things apply 


As time goes by. And when two lovers woo

They still say, "I love you." 
On that you can rely 


No matter what the future brings, as time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs, never out of date.

Hearts full of passion 
jealousy and hate, Woman needs man 


And man must have his mate 
That no one can deny.”

The song is the story of Ilsa and her lover, Rick. They love each other but ironically, “no matter what the future brings” doesn’t work for the couple because World War II enters France. They are forced to split paths. America is using the movie to show how willing the people are, that they loose love in order to escape war. From seeing this, the viewer sympathizes with the couple. It makes them gain a grudge against war just like the Americans stayed out of the war until they couldn’t any longer.

            Rick’s Café is the most Comforting place among the more native locations in Casablanca. Rick’s is a venue with drinking, dancing, and gambling, yet another place where people can escape the terrors of war. Rick is caught in between his love for Ilsa and his duty to his country. Just like before, Rick, the American, has to choose to get involved in war for the first time. His competitor, Lazlo, is a hard person to dislike. Rick is aware that he is a good man so he doesn’t want to take Ilsa away from him. Lazlo always wears white clothing, signifying his angelic nature.

            Unlike Lazlo, Major Strasser, the German leader, always wears black. His gruff manor is unlikable. In one scene the Germans are playing the German national anthem and then the French start singing their national anthem over the Germans. It shows the popularity of the French (as American allies) in Casablanca. Captain Renault: “Carl, see that Major Strasser gets a good table, one close to the ladies. “ Carl: “I have already given him the best, knowing he is German and would take it anyway.” This quote shows how the filmmakers were unafraid to make a statement about Germans stealing what is best. This also might be related to the Germans only taking the highest level of human, the Aryan race.

            All in all, Casablanca is a pro-American, propaganda, film. In the last scene the cinematographer artfully shows the visual of Rick talking to Ilsa and telling her what’s best for them. He then becomes a patriot as he lets his “most prized possession” leave with Lazlo. Because Louis doesn’t turn in Rick for shooting the German leader, it signifies the good relationship between France and America. Casablanca uses its romantic finesse and shadowy lighting to smoothly suggest America is the “good guy”. They hope for the movie to make the viewers nationalist in order to help the war effort.