Casablanca

1. Casablanca was produced in 1942 and directed by Michael Curtiz. It is a story about lost love, honor, self-sacrifice in war and romance within a chaotic world. The film was designed to help people feel positive about the war because it provided hope for freedom. The movie was created before the war ended so the director had no real idea of what would actually happen. The focus of the story is the quest for freedom as people try to make it to Lisbon before going to the New World. Casablanca, where a majority of the film takes place, is the exit point to Lisbon. We see in the viewing of this film that Rick and his lost love, Ilsa are reunited by chance is Casablanca. Ilsa arrives at Rick’s saloon with her husband Victor Laszlo. It appears that Rick and Ilsa still have feelings for one another, even after time has passed. Ilsa and her husband are in search of visas to leave Europe and Rick has two. Rick puts his life on the line as he tries to obtain freedom for Ilsa and Victor. He is willing to lose his love so that she will be happy and safe. The ending takes an unexpected turn as we see Rick shoot a policeman. Not only did he commit a crime by giving Ilsa fake visas, but he also killed an officer. This goes against his famous line, “I stick my neck out for nobody.”

2. Roger Ebert believes ”we identify strongly with the characters in movies.” Casablanca is not just a movie about sacrificing love, but also sacrificing it in an attempt to contribute to “the great cause of defeating the Nazis” Ebert recounts the film’s plot and states that the story’s full effect does not hit home until it has been viewed more than once. He also makes note that while some characters are “cynical, some lie, some kill, they are all redeemed.” An ending that was considered was one where Laszlo gets on the plane in Casablanca without Ilsa, leaving her behind with Rick. However, the effect of a “happy ending would be tarnished with self-interest.” The ending produced elevates Rick’s character. The director did not disclose which ending would be produced until the final day of filming. This added to the intensity of Ilsa’s emotions and confusion throughout the film because she truly did not know where her fate lied.
The article I used for further insight into the film can be found through the link below:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19960915/REVIEWS08/401010308/1023

3. At first viewing, I felt that the movie was just about love and sacrifice for the one you love in order to see them happy. After reading Roger Ebert’s article I can now see that it is far more than that. Rick lets Ilsa leave Casablanca so that Laszlo can help defeat the Nazi’s. Rick takes a big risk, putting himself out there, knowing the consequences, so that the fascist regime could be challenged. It was interesting to read the reason for different endings and why ones were not chosen for the ending. I do feel that the overall good nature of the film would have been significantly altered if and alternate ending was chosen, like having Ilsa stay I Casablanca with Rick instead of fleeing with Laszlo.

4. If necessary to report on Casablanca’s underlying messages, I would take Roger Ebert’s advice and view the film a few more times. This would enable me to fully grasp all of the ideas presented. At surface, this is a skillfully created film depicting human interest. It shows love between people, love for a country and a quest to make right in the world. The director’s choice to not disclose which final scene would be used enhanced the overall emotional effect, especially in Ilsa’s character.