Wonderful to see the classic
Casablanca on the big screen, and although I've seen it so often on TV each time I see this film I notice something new. The
plot is simple. It is wartime in French Morocco - controlled by the pro-Nazi Vichy government. As a staging post for refugees seeking to escape to America all kinds of people end up here - including cafe owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart) who has a past. Two German couriers are murdered for the letters of transit they were carrying - these are the 'get out of jail free' cards that everyone seeks. Into his bar steps Viktor Lazlo, hero of the resistance, and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) - she is Rick's past. Very simply Rick has the letters of transit dropped into his lap - who will benefit - Ilsa & Viktor or Rick & Ilsa? What will Ilsa do to get the letters of transit & who does she want to escape with? There is a brilliant supporting cast - the fence sitting Prefect of Police, the wonderful piano player Sam and the music is just so perfect - everyone knows
As Time Goes By but the incidental music is just so evocative. Every time I see this film the hair on the back of my neck stands up when I hear the
Marseillaise being belted out to drown out the German drinking songs of the Wehrmacht. Rating: 9/10
Wonderful to see the classic Casablanca on the big screen, and although I've seen it so often on TV each time I see this film I notice something new. The
plot is simple. It is wartime in French Morocco - controlled by the pro-Nazi Vichy government. As a staging post for refugees seeking to escape to America all kinds of people end up here - including cafe owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart) who has a past. Two German couriers are murdered for the letters of transit they were carrying - these are the 'get out of jail free' cards that everyone seeks. Into his bar steps Viktor Lazlo, hero of the resistance, and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) - she is Rick's past. Very simply Rick has the letters of transit dropped into his lap - who will benefit - Ilsa & Viktor or Rick & Ilsa? What will Ilsa do to get the letters of transit & who does she want to escape with? There is a brilliant supporting cast - the fence sitting Prefect of Police, the wonderful piano player Sam and the music is just so perfect - everyone knows As Time Goes By but the incidental music is just so evocative. Every time I see this film the hair on the back of my neck stands up when I hear the Marseillaise being belted out to drown out the German drinking songs of the Wehrmacht. Rating: 9/10 
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