Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic classic that gets better with each viewing
Review: One of the great movies of all time, a classic gem that is as entertaining today as it was in the 1940s. In Casablanca, Morocco, a haven for European expatriates fleeing Nazi rule, cafe owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) struggles to remain neutral. Into his life comes an old flame, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband Victor Lazslo (Paul Henreid), on the run from the Nazis (he's part of the French Resistance movement). Rick's neutrality is sorely tested as he is torn between his resurgent feelings for Ilsa and the need to see her and her husband escape the encroaching Nazis. Peerless, Oscar-winning direction, excellent dialogue, and outstanding performances highlight this legendary film. All of the leads are solid, with an especially good job by Bogart--he's cynical and detached one moment, subtly emotional the next. His pain often shows in his acerbic comments and devil-may-care attitude. But there's compassion somewhere in Rick's heart, and a desire to do the right thing. After all, he's fought for righteous causes before, yet seems reluctant to do so again. Why? Part of Rick's mystique is the fact that that question is never answered. His romance with Ilsa--both past and present--rings true; Ilsa and Rick ache for each other, yet they are torn between their romance and the necessity of her marital vows coupled with the need to keep Laszlo alive for the sake of the French Resistance. Ilsa still loves Rick, yet she's also very devoted to Laszlo. This set the standard for tragic romances loooong before "Titanic." The fine supporting performances include a slick, conniving turn by Peter Lorre and a wry one by Claude Raines as the corrupt (but curiously sympathetic) police chief Reynaud. The character interactions (especially the good rapport between Raines and Bogart) and motivations are convincing and well-thought out. Even the music is wonderful; can Dooley Wilson sing, or what? This multiple Oscar winner (Direction, Picture, Screenplay; should have won more, in my opinion) has many wonderful highlights: Wilson singing "As Time Goes By;" Henreid leading the French National Anthem in front of a group of Nazis; the unexpected, heartbreaking, and memorable finale. Indeed, this film has become indelibly embedded in our popular culture; expressions such as "Here's looking at you, kid," "We'll always have Paris," and "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" are familiar parts of our culture. Fantastic in every way, nearly perfect; multiple viewing may be required to catch all of the subtleties of this extraordinary film. A classic! About the DVD: Why no varied formats, and why so few extras? Other than a documentary featuring Lauren Bacall, there's little else of note. This film deserves the fine treatment that "Citizen Kane" received.
Rating: 
Summary: dissapointed
Review: Why is this DVD not in anamorphic format? Was the original 4:3? Its depressing to watch such an excellent movie distorted on a 16:9 screen. WB blew it. This applies to the other WB classics as well.
Rating: 
Summary: A great movie, a good DVD
Review: Casablanca--generally regarded as one of the best movies of all time, and I'd say with good reason. The love story set against the turmoil of World War II, combined with the larger theme of bringing the US into the war, make this a great movie on many levels. Bogart's performance as Rick is terrific, and Bergman is a perfect foil for him as Ilsa. Casablanca has been referenced so many times, it would be easy to dismiss it, but the movie is too powerful for that. No matter how many times I watch it, the mixture of powerful performances and a great story keep my interest every time. The DVD version is well-worth it just for the picture quality of the DVD compared to video, but the extras here are only fair. The only major extra is a documentary hosted by Lauren Bacall, and while it's fine, a movie this good deserves more.
Rating:
Summary: Cultural Film Literacy 101
Review: There are so many lines that have been copied, parodied, emulated and misspoken from this film that Casblanca is a 100 minute film history in and of itself. While the performances of Bergman and Bogart are outstanding. Multiple viewings reveal the entertaining characters that make up Rick's Cafe Americain. Claude Rains and the brief appearance of Peter Lorre are noteworthy, but so to are the bit parts played by Sydney Greenstreet, Madeline Lebeau and Leonid Kinskey. The DVD is wonderful in its clarity and is an absolute necessity for any movie buff.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary in every respect
Review: Not only is this film the greatest Hollywood movie ever made, it is also the most quotable. The credit should surely go the Epstein brothers, whose incomparably witty script included some of the greatest lines in English language cinema. Their stock in trade was classic chutzpah, and it is amazing how much of their dialogue has entered the popular vocabulary. (For copious examples, check out the Quotes & Trivia on this page.) There is little I wish to add to the 200 (!) other reviews on this site, except to say that as a black and white photographer I was enthralled by the luminous quality in nearly every scene of this movie. Light and shadow have never been used more effectively, and greatly complement the sense of melodrama and romance. The word "classic" has been ridiculously overworked, but Casablanca deserves the highest accolades for its excellence in every aspect: its script, performances, cinemaphotography, direction, music..., in short, the movie is a staggering achievement. The image on the DVD is flawless, and I found the accompanying documentary very informative.
Rating:
Summary: Grand entertainment
Review: A disillusioned nightclub owner in WWII Casablanca (Humphrey Bogart) finds himself faced with a personal crisis when the woman with whom he had a passionate love affair in pre-Occupation Paris (Ingrid Bergman) shows up with her husband, a French Resistance leader who is on the run from the Nazis. He is placed in the position of choosing between doing what is best for himself or for the world at large. I think everybody knows his decision since this film features the most famous good-bye scene of any movie. After all these years, this film remains fresh. The dialogue crackles and the cast is possibly the best ever assembled. Rightly regarded as one of the best American films.
Rating:
Summary: definitely a legendary classic
Review: this is considered and regarded by many critics as the greatest movie of all time. i definitely consider it to be one of the greatest anyway. there are a few others i personally consider to be on the same level of greatness. Casablanca is, however, a legend. a classic romance story that has never been quite equaled. to disclose any of the plot for those of you who may not have seen it would be unjust and unfair at the least. i never liked stories of romance. i suppose most men don't, but when i decided to view this one, i was very intrigued and engrossed with the film. it is definitely one the very few love stories i ever developed any respect for. if you decide to purchase this one you won't feel cheated. as for the DVD, it's a great buy. it has the trailer, production notes, an introduction by Lauren Bacall and the excellent documentary on the making of the film hosted by Lauren Bacall. all those still living that were associated with the production of "Casablanca" were interviewed in it. all avid collectors of the classics must have this one in his or her DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: Tension of Values in Casablanca
Review: Above the plot and the intrigue, and the great actors and incredible dialogue amd music. Beyond the filmwork and characters, and the tension of war... OK... that alone makes this a great movie. Beyond all of that is a love story, and a story about what matters in life. Rick is faced with a decision about a lover now married to someone else. With this, he must also consider not just her husband, but the impact stealing her back would have on her and her husband's efforts to stop the war. Adding to the reviews here is difficult. Buy it, and if you don't buy, rent it. You'll be back to buy it later. It really is that good. I fully recommend this movie on every level I can. Anthony trendl
Rating:
Summary: the best
Review: what can i say about this movie that hasn't already been said? any praise would be waxing poetic, critisism, redundant. it is a beautiful movie. watch it - many times
Rating:
Summary: A FILM TO PLAY AGAIN & AGAIN
Review: Don't be surprised if it becomes a classic.
| 
