In my opinion this film is a masterpiece, I don't like romances, but this one have great history, great characters and charactres arcs, great end and even plot twists. For some people this film may seem boring and slow and I may agree with slow but is just because the film is setting previous events and is not a defect. I recommend it.

Casablanca is old Hollywood at its finest with a riveting story and enchanting performances. I am especially fond of the sound, touching way this story ends.

"In Casablanca, human life is cheap," Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) says. He is correct. The world of Casablanca that is portrayed in Michael Curtiz's 1942 wartime romance is a corrupt one that sets no great value on people. At this time Casablanca was a Moroccan city under the control of Vichy France, who in turn were at the mercy of Nazi Germany. Is it possible to hold onto one's humanity in a world in which humans are expendable? This is the crux of the drama that unfolds around Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart). Rick partakes in the corruption that he sees around him. He runs a nightclub, which is also an illegal gambling den. He has the freedom to reject clients and discard women that he no longer likes. On political matters, Rick is neutral. While he despises Major Strasser's jackbooted rule, he professes to see Strasser's point of view. He is also friendly with Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains), who as prefect of police is nominally in charge of Casablanca, and Rick makes sure that he keeps Renault sweet by letting him win at roulette. Renault worries that when the time comes, Rick's idealism will resurface. Rick's neutrality is tested by the arrival of Czech resistance leader called Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). He is accompanied by Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). There has been a past history between Rick and Ilse, and her presence is unwelcome. Rick utters his famous complaint: "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world she walks into mine". This dilemma between choosing the dictates of one's own heart and one's duty to humanity is at the crux of the movie, and is expressed most through the love triangle of Rick, Ilsa and Laszlo. Casablanca was made during a time of war, and this may explain the film's emphasis on sacrifice. Laszlo, Rick, Ilse and even Renault make sacrifices in the name of a greater good. The more selfish characters such as Strasser and Ugarte are damned because in a time of war, putting one's own needs first is an act of selfish irresponsibility. Indeed it is not too much of a stretch to see many of the leading characters in the story as allegorical representations of their country's stand during the war. (This is an American film, so naturally Britain and the Soviet Union are left out, though perhaps it might have been a little too contrived to shoehorn them in.) Rick represents non-interventionist America, wishing to stay out of the war but finding, as his colleague Signor Ferrari (Sydney Greenstreet) points out that "Isolationism is no longer a practical policy," and perhaps not an ethical one either. Victor Laszlo represents oppressed Eastern Europe, held under the sway of German rule, but still fighting their oppressors. The arrogant Major Strasser represents Nazi Germany, dominating the area by using ruthless and oppressive measures. The makers of Casablanca never envisaged that it would become such a successful movie. It was thought to be just another wartime movie, one of many churned out. However the film was a solid success in its own time, and won the Oscar for Best Picture. Since then it has become a firm favourite with audiences. The dialogue has been quoted and misquoted on many occasions, and critics are divided about the quality of the script. Some have stated that it is the most perfect script of all time. Others find it clichéd, but I am uncertain how far these clichés already existed when Casablanca came out, or whether Casablanca created the clichés. Certainly Casablanca is more than one of the greatest love stories of all time. The dialogue is romantic and cynical, serious and humorous, sordid and uplifting. Delivered by a great cast and directed by an unspectacular but competent movie director, the script and the story have been elevated to a legendary status, and the film will always be a favourite among people who enjoy watching classic movies. I wrote a longer review on my blog page (with spoilers) expressing a fuller appreciation of the film if you would like to read more: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2018/02/02/casablanca-1942/

After decades still a masterpiece story, with a story that will certainly still captivate the fast-paced movie-going-audiences of the 21st century. It's a wonderfull view into the fourties, with starstruck but undercooled roles that remain ever fresh.

One of the best movies ever made, might be the best...it's hard not to hum "as time goes by" days after watching it. Humphrey Bogard and Ingrid Bergman lead the way in this wartime complex romance that dives right in and let's you experience every emotion in the backdrop of Rick's Cafe Americain and the streets of Casablanca. This movie is entertaining and funny, enthralling, and features many iconic lines that have lasted a lifetime in American cinema. It has the most special way of telling a story of humanity during war, integrity's importance, and love's ultimate sacrifice. This movie avoids common narrative tropes and creates its own path and climax, and it's just perfect. Setting, Conflict, Character, Dialogue, Theme, Plot, and Climax: A+ Runtime: 1:42 Audience Engagement (do you feel runtime): No Top Genres: Drama, Romance, War (Fiction) Genre(s) rating Drama - 10 Romance - 10 War - 9 Genre Average Score: 9.66 Directing: 10 Cinematography/lighting: 10 Story/Narrative: 10 Structure: 10 Dialogue: 10 Score(music): 10 Editing: 10 Acting: 10 Characterization: 10 Mise en Scène/Visual Design: 10 Visual Effects: 10 Sound Design: 10 Costumes/Makeup: 10 Lasting Impact: 10 Originality: 10 Overall: 9.98 (5 RT)

Just brilliant. Didn't expect Casablanca to have the impact on me that it did. Beautiful film, perfectly balanced from start to finish, nailing the essential elements of the art form - films dont get better than this!

THEY'LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS

The greatest movie ever created.

I love this movie. Where do you start? The performances, the shot selection, lighting, costume design, casting, theme, tension - it's all there. Could watch it 100 times.

A great drama movie with great story and memorable scenes. It's overrated but it's still great.

ALL TIME CLASSIC ALLWAYS

"Casablanca" deserves its classic status. It remains equally engaging whether it deals with WWII-era intrigue or the two leads' romance, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are both excellent, the dialogues are witty, and the character clashes are very interesting, not to mention that the film has you guessing as to what will happen in the end right until the last minute. The photography has some fantastic moments as well, and "As Time Goes By" and certain lines have rightfully been immortalized.

I have lost count of the number of times I have seen Casablanca, and plan on many more viewings. And I still agree with the many audience reviews rating this the best movie of all time.

Hour 45 of small talk

While the films is all chatter for the most part, the story holds your attention, and for me I enjoyed the conflicts of the French and German authorities along with the complications of romance and deep love portrayed. The lead role doing a fantastic job along with all other characters.

Wonderful timeless movie. I like how all the tolls are trying to bring the score down. Truly sad.

I'm a latecomer to the film but watched and enjoyed it. As another reviewer has said it is not a great film but it entertains -- Claud Rains was very good and Bergman very beautiful

A classic! Any film buff must see it.

--And what about us? --We'll always have Paris

Of course, the plot line is complete balderdash and the script had been rejected when originally entitled "Everybody Comes to Rick's," but somehow, the cast, screenwriters, crew, and director created a masterpiece. A few actresses may have looked as radiant as Miss Bergman did here, but none surpassed her. A few years later Michael Curtiz gave it another try with Bogart, Lorre, and Greenstreet but fell far short in "Passage to Marsailles." Never mind, 'cuz "...we'll always have Paris." I first saw this in the early 70's at a Saturday evening screening on campus, and my admiration for the film has only grown in the five decades since. And, to think that we viewed this as an "old movie" back then!