CASABLANCA

US, 1943, Black and white.
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre. Directed by Michael Curtiz.

Casablanca has become one of the classics of motion pictures, not that it is necessarily an excellent film, but it is certainly a most enjoyable film. It won the Oscar for the best film of 1943 and an Oscar for director, Michael Curtiz (especially noted for his swashbuckling adventures with Errol Flynn). Since then it has been the subject of praise, admiration and an amusing tribute in Woody Alien's Play it Again, Sam, in which he parodied the Bogart-type hero and fashioned a comedy to parallel the theme of Casablanca (showing the ending of Casablanca at beginning and end of his film).

Humphrey Bogart's memory has been enhanced by this film as has Ingrid Bergman's place as a heroine of the 40's cinema. Claude Rains, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, in somewhat typical roles, are reminders of the style of Warner's films of the time (and their popularity). The music and song ‘As Time Goes By' are still played.

The film is interesting in its theme of war and people being trapped by a war situation. The patriotism of the film must have been strong in 1943 amid the uncertainties of the war itself.

Top class enjoyment and film study.

1. What was the aura around Casablanca during the war? How did the film capitalise on this? How did it give the significance to the theme of the film?

2. How do you think the film came across during the war itself? Patriotic attitudes? The uncertainty of the outcome of the war?

3. Why do you think that this film is important in the Humphrey Bogart mystique? What is so special about him in this film?

4. The film is famous also for the theme "As Time 'Goes By". Why?

5. What was the meaning of the city of Casablanca during the war? As regards the war? For escape? The people there and their conflicts?

6. How did the film create this kind of atmosphere? The introductory explanations, the people, talking in the clubs, the clubs themselves, both Rick's and the rivals, the planes leaving for Lisbon, the French authorities, the girl who wanted to get the visas for herself and her husband, the corruption in the city?

7. How did the incident in the nightclub concerning the assassinated messengers set the tone for the film? For suspense? For Rick's behaviour during the film?

8. Comment on the French authorities, especially Renaud. Why was he a servant of the Vichy government? Did he explain his lack of principles well? Why was he an opportunist? Did he like the Germans? What authority did the Germans have? Mere they presented justly?

9. What kind of a person was Rick? Why was he in Casablanca? Had he made a success there? Why did he have such strict rules for his Club and his clients? Has he really a sentimentalist? Was he trying to help the underdog? His relationship to the piano player?

10. How did Elsa change Rick's life? What impact did she have on him? Why did he begin to go to pieces?

11. How effective was the flashback? Did it fit in appropriately? Did it explain why Kick fell in love with Elsa and vice-versa? How did each affect the others personality? How serious was Elsa's disappearance for Rick? Did this explain his behaviour in Casablanca?

12. What kind of person was Elsa? Did she explain herself well? was she an attractive person? Did she love Lazlo? why did she admire him so much? What kind of person was he? What values did he stand for? Has he a consistent hero? Why was it so necessary for him to leave Casablanca? Why were the Germans afraid of it? And of his staying?

13. How did Casablanca create turmoil in Elsa - in her relationship with Lazlo, with Rick? Did she cope with the situation well? Why did she try to save Lazlo? Did she really want to stay with Rick? Has this resolved well at the airport?

14. Why was there turmoil in Rick? When did he decide to stay behind and let Elsa and Lazlo go? Did he intend this all the time? Or did he intend to leave and then did he change his mind?

15. Did Rick make the right choice? Did he see the truth? How exciting was his manipulation of their escape? The significance of the final conversation with Rick and Elsa at the plane?

16. What did this ending show of Rick's character? Has he a sentimentalist at heart, as accused? Did he always pity the underdog? What of his conversation with Reno? Their decision to go and fight against the Germans? (Has this too sentimental an ending - or appropriate for 1943?),

17. Why do you think this film is so famous?