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Summary: "When I grew up I wanted to be Ingrid Bergman.."ΓΏ
Review: When I was 14 years along in life & love, before my perilous journey through both began, my mother decided that I was adult enough to appreciate "staying up late" to learn the joys of real & great movie-making & the icons of the acting profession. Of course, back in "those days", you could only find a masterpiece of cinema from the Golden age on in the wee hours...but you could always find them, and more than one station played them. Now, we are subjected to infomercials instead of a classic black/white 1940's war film for the sake of revenue. As a young child, I often rebelled at suggestions from my Mother concerning reading material- she had quite a library of this 'n that..but being stubborn, I didn't want to make what I thought would be a wasted effort to get involved in one of these boredom-laden tomes. They had dull-sounding titles- The Prophet-K. Gibran, Andersonville (a civil war POW camp), Bartlett's Book Of Quotations, Anything Can Happen-G. Papishvily, Gone with The Wind-M. Mitchell, to name a few. To my embarrassment to this very day, I must admit I did not get around to reading GwTW until I was 81/2 (1961 June) simply because of a hurricane that blew close enough to scare me from leaving the house for two days. I nearly drove my Mother mad, she would only suggest "find something to read"...at my whining "there's nothing to do" So- I went to the bookshelf & looked- at this HUGE book- dirty, old & somewhat odiferous after actually opening the thing- the one Mother had been trying to sell me on for what seemed like forever. Okay. I 'll try..Truly bored! Never having forgiven Mother for not threatening me w/ some really imaginative form of torture, (involving insects, maybe..) for not making me, at least, read the first 10 pages of this most wonderful of classical stories, (Actually, I think I was hooked on the first page) I am ready to admit that afterward when my Mother said I should listen & learn about classic books & movies made in the late 30's-mid-40's, I did just that with a vengeance. I have, forever, loved planes, my favorite plane is the B-17- More than that, the 3.5 years we spent fighting & 2.5+ flying those B-17s over Germany & other wartime enemy territory, should be made a course of it's own in grade school- 6th grade, perhaps. The country was never at its best as it was for those 3.5 years. The early war brought our country to its knees for a moment in 1941-1942, but you would never have known by the people. The country joined the cause of freedom w/ Europe- the British were bombed out of their homes night after night, the French had been defeated and had given over to the enemy. All the low countries were also under the grip of fear, along w/ most of Scandinavia. To see the movie casablanca is to experience & learn along w/ just enjoying. It is impossible to come out of that movie for the first time, & not want to KNOW MORE! I have a 25 yr old friend who had not a clue about rationing in WWII. I have met her Mother & Dad- they SEEM normal..how could they have let their daughter miss out on the history of not only our country, but of her own family and its role during that most wonderful of American eras? An excellent way to do that would be to make them watch Bogie as he walks into Rick's w/ that white dinner jacket & an attitude we'll never forget..Who can't remember all the famous lines, and if we're honest, who can't help saying them along w/ Rick & Ilse.."Here's looking..Hill of Beans"..and all the rest inbetween. It is easy for us all to say we are patriotic, just watch Paul Heinreid have enough courage to lead the cafe in the most moving movie song I have ever seen- the Marseilles-against the Nazi officers who try unsuccessfully to drown out the French anthem w/ their own. By the end of that emotionally charged scene, you can not help but be curious- maybe because today we cannot imagine ourselves becoming involved in a war of that scope. Todays wars last a day or so- there w/ never be another Pearl Harbor- Yes, we may well be attacked somewhere in the world & lose thousands of soldiers in a nuclear or perhaps biological attack, but I know I would never see 75% of Americas' male population run, not walk, to the nearest recruiting center to join whatever he could -that's how it was in Dec. of '41. Casablanca was a fairy tale but it wasn't- a beautiful love story that just happens to be set in one of the most exciting & atrocious times ever in our history. For those of you who have not experienced this classic, there is, as usual, a twist at the end that sums up the state of mind of America and left no doubt as to who would come out on top in the end. Remembering also, this movie was released very near the bombing of Pearl Harbor so it struck a chord in the country. Who can explain why a movie that was written day-by-day & w/ actors who had no idea where the story was going, would turn out to be so successful then? How about now? Why? Story, Actors, Acting, Patriotism, Realism, Emotion, Sex, Violence, Music, great editing.... It would be far more interesting than you might think to watch a teenager, or younger preferably, watch this movie w/ you & see the child become as enthralled w/ the times & the movie as you have been. More doors open up for the whole family to learn about each other if we just start somewhere. Yeah, they're black & white, but just give 'em a try- you just might learn something!
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Summary: Of All the Gin Joints in the World You Had to Walk Into Mine
Review: What can be said about this film? If you have not seen it, then go see it. Classic at every turn. Not a line or action wasted. Bogart in his most celebrated role as the suave and charismatic Rick, along with the beautiful Ingrid Bergman. One of the films that makes Hollywood great! Highly reccomended to anyone and everyone. The DVD version, however, is well packaged and presented. With trailers from a variety of classic films, along with a half hour documentary on the making of Casablanca hosted by Lauren Bacall. A good transfer with quality sound, well worth the price. Whether VHS or DVD, you will get your moneys worth with this timeless classic that will begin a beautiful friendship.
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Summary: Cassablanca
Review: Legend says hell has no fury like a woman scorned. However, hell has no fury like a mans love.
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Summary: Buy this DVD!
Review: The transfer was excellent. The video has been noticeably improved; without being distruptive. It is still is good old B/W.The sound is very clean.
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Summary: I'd give it 6 stars if I could
Review: You can use 1,000 words to describe Casablanca but it all comes down to superb acting from the lead actors to the bit players, outstanding writing from the Epstein brothers and Howard Koch, a great score from Max Steiner and direction from Michael Curtiz that moves a 1-hour, 42-minute movie like gangbusters from start to finish without a single special effect. Let others see Star Wars 400 times. I could watch Casablanca every day until Y3K and never get tired of it.
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Summary: Just PLEASE: Don't Try to Remake It
Review: Why can't this gem be remade? It can't be remade because no international cast could ever be assembled which could approach the talent and grace of the original, ecletic ensemble: American Humprey Bogart, Swedish Ingrid Bergman and John Qualen, Czeckoslovakian (I believe) Paul Henreid, French Claude Rains, Marcel Dalio, Curt Bois, and the exquisite Madeleine LeBeau, British Sidney Greenstreeet, German Conrad Veidt and S.Z. Sakall, Hungarian Peter Lorre, Russian Leonid Kinskey, and Helmut Dantine and Dan Seymour (wherever they were from?). It can't be remade because we're too far removed from it's World War II setting and we're much too worldly and cynical to appreciate it's compelling naivete. It can't be remade because it was a moment in time. And time is the one thing we haven't learned how to recapture. The movie was being written and rewritten daily. There were at least half a dozen endings considered. Humphrey Bogart was the THIRD choice for Rick (after Ronald Reagan and George Raft). Ingrid Bergman was the FOURTH choice for Ilsa (after Hedy Lamarr, Ann Sheridan, and Michelle Morgan). It was shot in a few days at the Culver City Warner lot. They were trying to get a new song written for Rick and Ilsa's song but finally settled on the old standard, "As Time Goes By." Such spontaneity can only occur once. And what about the priceless lines uttered by those unique characters? Not only the well-worn, "Round up the usual suspects; you played it for her, you can play it for me; this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship; but.... "How careless of you throwing away women like that; some day they may be scarce." "This is the customary roundup of refugees, liberals, and, of course, beautiful young girls for Captain Reneaud." "Naturally, there will be some incidental expenses." "I'm shocked, shocked to find out there is gambling going on here" ("Your winnings, messieur"). "Give Major Strasser the best table, one next to the ladies." ("I have already given him the best, knowing he is German and would take it anyway"). "If he gets a word in, it will be a major Italian victory." "I don't mind a parasite; I do object to a cut rate one." "What kind of a man is Captain Reneaud?"..."Just like any other man, only more so." These lines cannot be outdone. Redelivering them would not do them justice. Altering them would be a sacrilege. And how could the ambience of the movie be duplicated in this high tech world of special effects? The very simplicity and sincerety of the movie is out of place in this era where the world has drawn so close (in a remake, would Ilsa's goodbye letter to Rick be e-mailed or faxed?) Not to mention: who in the world could play the parts? Yes, I suppose that Rutger Hauer could make a credible Major Strasser. But who could play Rick? Most Bogart roles are remade with Harrison Ford. But isn't he just a bit too frivolous and devil-may-care to sell the part of a devastated, spurned lover whose anger and resentment displays itself as cynicism and reclusiveness? Richard Gere is one who could probably do it, but then who would be Ilsa? - Julia Roberts? Not to mention the problem of finding the myriad of distinctive and timeless character actors who populated the original set. So how about this time, JUST this one time, why don't we leave this treasure alone? Let's just preserve it in its original, pristine form so that it can be experienced to its fullest degree by future generations? And who knows? Maybe in some distant time, the world will return to the magnificent naivete that wrought this masterpiece in the first place.
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Summary: Of all the Films, in all the World, I had to see this one.
Review: This classic movie is more that a love story, more that a political statement. Casablanca is arguably one of the finest pieces of film ever constructed. The use of Hitchcockian lighting sets a mood so stirring that the viewer is drawn into the story without the awareness of the passage. The sacrifices of love, the loss of human dignity which invariably accompanies war and a man's rediscovery of his lost humanity are all intregral subplots in this stirring tale of love. Cacablanca will always get 5 stars from this writer.
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Summary: Here's looking at you kid.
Review: Humphrey Bogart is the very best leading man ever. He is the handsomest man in all movies ever. Ingrid Bergman was also the best choose as his leading lady. My favorite line in this movie is "Here's looking at you Kid" And "of all the Gin joints,of all the town;s she had to walk into mine.Excellent movie for anyone to watch,at any time.
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Summary: Let's see it again, Sam.
Review: This movie is a must see for any romantic that beleives in love. From the first few minutes of this film to the last you are able to see and feel the wonderful love that is there forever between the two main charectors. You can't help but want the two lovers to get together forever. You will cry at the ending and feel a little sad but you will want to see it again and again. I can't even begin to remember the many times I have seen this movie and I will seeit again. Thats the reason its a classic. You can not help but love this movie the very first time you see it. Especially if your a hopelessromantic.
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Summary: Bogie + Bergman =Perfection
Review: I first saw this movie when I was a teenager, that was 20+++ years ago.I have 3 copies of this video that I alternate so as to not wear any one out. What is not to like about this. Bogie, the perfect dark hero with a heart of gold. Bergman, the flawless beauty torn between two men. Paul Henreid, the third side of this triangle and all the secondary characters which combine to make this my number one all time favorite movie. I still get goosebumps when the Marsielle is sung. When Rick tells Ilse "we'll always have Paris..." Forget it, I'm a pile of jello reaching for the kleenex. This is truly the best movie ever made.
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