Customer Reviews
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Top Ten for Sure., Sep 27, 2023
Full Automatic Fire Writing. A pleasure for anyone who can read.
Certainly one of the 10 best movies ever crafted.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
You must remember this , Sep 11, 2023
Casablanca's reputation as the classic American film is well-deserved. There is a beautiful and affecting romance, some war-time intrigue, and most of all, an incredibly elegant and witty screenplay. Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, and Paul Henreid give legendary performances. I particularly love Rains as the amoral Captain Louie. I love it when he shuts down Cafe Rick's (he's shocked! SHOCKED!) for "gambling" and collects his winnings in the same breath. The minor roles are also memorable, particularly Peter Lorre as a pathetic, murderous "exit visa" bandit.
Casablanca's greatness lies in its synergy of romance, intrigue, comedy, drama, music, acting, and direction. This is one case where a "little something for everyone" works as well as Mom's secret soup recipe. For those interested in wartime intrigue, Casablanca has that. For those who want a love story, Casablanca REALLY has that. For those who enjoy a witty, elegantly written and directed film ... well, you get my point. This despite the turmoil and confusion during filming. Ilsa is of course the woman torn between two men, Rick (Bogart) and her idealistic if slightly chilly husband (Henreid). It was not known which man Ilsa (Bergman) would end up with, so Bergman was told to play it "in between." This ambiguity ironically gives Casablanca its greatness. It humanizes Ilsa, who otherwise would be too saintly to be believable. It also sets the stage for the ending -- if ever there was a bittersweet perfect ending to a movie, Casablanca is it.
This two-disc special edition has a documentary of Humphrey Bogart, narrated by his wife Lauren Bacall. The children of Bergman and Bogart (Pia Lindstrom and Stephen Bogart) also narrate a documentary about the filming of the movie. There are silent deleted scenes and outtakes.
It's not even a question. See this film.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
We'll always have Casablanca, Sep 3, 2023
Look around the page and you'll see lavish praise thrown at the 3 time Oscar Winner film CASABLANCA. Well, that praise is much deserved. Casablanca is an intelligent and beautiful film, worth serious study. Since the film was originally based on the play "Everybody comes to Ricks", the film is heavy with dialogue scenes. So, director Michael Curtiz consciously shot those scenes in a style contrasting the stage format: Characters sit with their backs to the camera, and some of the most powerful scenes are shot in heavy dark and shadow. In fact, many of the characters use the brim of their hat to create their own personal shadow, to keep their true objectives secret.
The story itself revolves around a night club owner reluctantly in possession of travel papers needed by his former girlfriend and her husband. That's the story in one sentence, but in no way is that what makes the film so excellent. In fact, the travel papers are more a McGuffin then anything (It is just an excuse for the films action).
The depth of intriguing characters is what makes the film so stellar to me. It's not very often that an alcoholic and selfish rebel can be considered the hero in a Hollywood film. But, that is what we get here. And there seems to be little attempt at softening his rough edges either. With that performance as Rick, HUMPHREY BOGART moved himself solidly into the A-Actor list for the rest of his life. INGRID BERGMAN is the mysterious German woman Ilsa. She plays so hard into Rick's life. You spend the film wondering what she knows, when she knows it and if Rick will stick his neck out to help her.
Much of that intrigue comes from the clever screenplay where so much of the conflict is delivered in the subtext, not from the actual dialogue. Quite often, it is what is not said that propels the story. It deserved its Best Screenplay Oscar. Even so, "Here's looking at you, kid" and "I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship" were never in the screenplay and "Play it again, Sam" is never said by anyone in the film.
Gorgeous cinematography, capitalizing on Bergman's beauty, and a Max Steiner's great musical score, capitalizing on the song "As Time Goes By", compound the great film.
The 2-disc Special Edition DVD set it excellent, making the viewing a multimedia film study. In addition to watching the film, you can listen to 2 running commentaries on the film as well as browse production photos and a couple meaty documentaries. Additionally, it is gorgeously transferred.
0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
MasterPiece, Sep 2, 2023
Simply This Casablanca Two-Disc Special Edition Should be added in your library,OF All The Gin joints,in All The towns,in All The world,THIS Two-Disc Special Edition DVD Walk into MINE :pppppp
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Play it again and again, Sam..., Aug 26, 2023
Everyone knows by now this is one of the greatest movies of all time, with more famous lines quoted from it than any other. Also, the trademark characters and the usual suspects. But I recommend this movie due to the simple love story between Bogart and Bergman. There is none better written for the screen, or portrayed. Everyone can relate to their flawed romance, and it's why this movie is so universally appealing -- and heart-breaking. When two people love each other, and can't seem to get together, then, find a way to mutally love each other in a new way, well, that is what life's about more often than not. A kiss is never just a kiss.
|
Cart | 
Based on 411 reviews.