“Casablanca” fans, a great docu on how it was accidentally so good.

[Wyatt Burp]

This documentary about Casablanca shows how all the elements came together very haphazardly to make one of the great classics of all time.

CASABLANCA - An Unlikely Classic - YouTube

 

[jimmyj]

My favorite movie line:
German Major : " Those bumbling Americans"
French Captain: "Yes, I was with them when they bumbled their way into Berlin in 1918"

 

[Rustyt1953]

I started paying more attention to the film when I learned it had broken new ground in its use of camera angles, shadows, diffused backlighting and camera lens filters (all used to either accentuate the face or wash out the edges).

Every time I watch it I concentrate on the cinematography as much as I do the dialogue.

I don't have a problem with cover songs or movie remakes but some masterpieces, such as this, should never be tampered with.

 

[DWalt]

Somewhere I have a book which is a biography of Humphrey Bogart. One chapter in it is devoted entirely to Casablanca and how it was made, interesting reading. It was originally intended to be nothing more than a quick and cheap B-Movie but historical events (mainly the Allied landings in North Africa) turned into something substantially more. The script was being written on-the-fly during shooting, and in many cases the actors were being given their lines only just before their scenes were to be filmed. The stage sets were recycled from earlier movies, and of course there were no location shoots, everything was filmed on a sound stage except for the final scenes which were shot at a small airport somewhere in the LA area.

TCM once showed a colorized version, I think in the late 80s, but it raised so much ire from viewers that it was pulled and never shown again. I remember seeing it.

 

[quikdraw67]

One of the best movies ever made IMHO.

It stands the test of time.

 

[pasound]

IMDB gives it #50 of the top 250 movies. I rate it in the top ten on my list.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I started paying more attention to the film when I learned it had broken new ground in its use of camera angles, shadows, diffused backlighting and camera lens filters (all used to either accentuate the face or wash out the edges).

Every time I watch it I concentrate on the cinematography as much as I do the dialogue.

I don't have a problem with cover songs or movie remakes but some masterpieces, such as this, should never be tampered with.

A couple B&W movies that knock me out as far as cinematography goes are “My Darling Clementine” and “Winchester 73”. The dark and light contrasts are intentionally more stark and they look like moving charcoal drawings. In these films I’m talking more of the outdoor scenes. this Casablanca documentary specifically talks about the use of shadows and light that made it so special to convey the mood of what’s happening.

 

[chief38]

Casablanca is one of my very favorites! Bogie is just about my favorite actor as well. I have seen the film no less than 50 - 60 times and still watch it at least once or twice a year!

Along with the Maltese Falcon I know almost every line - LOL!

 

[fordson]

A really great movie, one of the best, if not THE best, ever made. It’s so good that I’m going to get a tumbler of Makers Mark and watch it on Amazon Prime now.
“Here’s looking at you, Kid”..........

 

[dasnake]

Two movies.

There are two movies that I watch that my wife knows by heart any dialogue she hears when they are played, Casablanca and Shane.

 

[JackM]

My favorite movie line:
German Colonel : " Those bumbling Americans"
French Captain: "Yes, I was with them when they bumbled their way into Berlin in 1918"

Except for the fact that they didn't. March into Berlin that is. Still one of my favorites. Key Largo is right up there, too.

 

[STCM(SW)]

"we are speaking only English when we reach America"
" Lipshin, what watch?"
"10 watch"

"Is this place honest?"
"As honest as the day is long!"

"Remember Louis, this gun is aimed right at your heart!"
" My least variable spot!"

Not that we don't watch the movie that often.......

 

[Jack Flash]

Casablanca is one of my very favorites! Bogie is just about my favorite actor as well. I have seen the film no less than 50 - 60 times and still watch it at least once or twice a year!

Along with the Maltese Falcon I know almost every line - LOL!

Add To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep.

 

[smoothshooter]

Except for the fact that they didn't. March into Berlin that is. Still one of my favorites. Key Largo is right up there, too.

I didn’t think the Americans marched into Berlin either.

 

[loknload]

My two most favorite ever classics,,,,Casablanca and High Noon!


Rick Blaine: Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

Rick Blaine: I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Capt. Louis Renault: Waters?! We're in a DESERT!
Rick Blaine: I was misinformed.

Blaine: Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I have the 70th Anniversary box set of Casablanca, which is -- amazingly -- still available, and it's not that expensive.

It includes both DVD and Blu-Ray copies of the movie, numerous special features on several other DVDs, reproduction movie posters, and, best of all, a hardback, coffee-table sized book on how the movie was made.

You can find it at various online retailers or on eBay. The first link below is to a thorough review of what's included.

http://www.dvdmg.com/casablanca70.shtml

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Casablanca-Anniversary-Limited-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B006BG7RI0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G2SY8SQHEQ4L&dchild=1&keywords=casablanca+70th+anniversary+limited+collector%27s+edition&qid=1600657806&sprefix=casablanca+70th%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Casablanca (70th Anniversary Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo): Various, Various: Movies & TV[/ame]

 

[Rudi]

Thanks for posting this! So cool to see behind the scenes of one of my favorite films. What a masterpiece.

 

[chief38]

What makes the old movie so terrific is the dialog! Today's movies rely so much on special effects and technology whereas the older flicks enthrall with speech and meaningful dialog. To me the movies that truly brings this out is The Maltese Falcon and Key Largo. The movies are almost all filmed in just a few rooms (sets) and almost no outside scenes are used.

 

[DWalt]

Speaking of sets, one of Bogey's earlier movies was "The Petrified Forest." Almost the entire movie was shot using the same crude set background, very much like making a movie of a play performance. The movie was about acting, not scenery.

 

[UncleEd]

Well, despite the many of you that have
misgivings about remakes of a classic,
I happen to be a movie producer and
have in the works a remake of "Casablanca."

So far, I've got signed Brad Pitt as Rick,
Jennifer Aniston as Ilsa, Charlie Sheen
as Victor and I'm hoping to get Gary
Busey as Captain Louis.

And I've hired some of the best car stunt
drivers in the business for an exciting chase
through the streets of Casablanca.