002 Casablanca (1942)

In 1998, the American Film Institute celebrated the first 100 years of cinema (1896-1996) by listing the 100 best American films of the century. Casablanca was Number 2 on the list. When it was first released it was a solid hit. It was nominated for eight Oscars, winning Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture, but it remained popular while other films from the 1940s faded from memory.

Casablanca is an important port-city in Morocco (North Africa). In 1942, it was controlled by the Nazis who also controlled France. Rick (Humphrey Bogart) owned a night club which was popular among French, Italians and Nazis living in Casablanca. Rick is a cynical American who can't bring himself to care enough about the political situation to do the right thing. Someone arrives at the club smuggling letters of transit. They will allow the bearers to travel freely through Nazi controlled territories. They are priceless. Through a series of adventures and misfortunes, Rick comes to possess the letters.

We suddenly understand Rick's cynicism when the love of his life walks through his door. Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband are in trouble. They came to meet the man who had the letters of transit. Rick could help them, but years ago, Ilsa left Rick without explanation. When she finally explains that she believed her husband was dead back when they fell in love in Paris, and when she learned that he was alive, she went to him, Rick forgives her and helps her and her husband escape the Nazis. In the process, Rick looses his club and has to flee the country himself. Through his sacrifice, Rick is completely transformed from an amoral war profiteer to one of the good guys.

The theme of sacrifice reassured the war-time audience that painful sacrifice could be a romantic gesture for the greater good. I love stories in which love conquers all. I only wish I had seen this movie when I was younger, twelve or thirteen, before I had heard all the best lines quoted and misquoted out of context. I would like to buy a copy of this film and watch it every year. A local theatre near Harvard University screens it every year during exam week. What do you think? Have you seen this movie? Do you love it? Or do you think it is hopelessly out of date?