The film takes place in 1941, mere days before the attack on Pearl Harbour. The city of Casablanca is filled with refugees from all over Europe, hoping to escape to the still-neutral United States, while trying to avoid the Vichy French authorities and their German masters, along with the numerous criminals and con artists who prey on them. Amongst all this, we follow Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate who runs an upscale gambling den and nightclub, but chooses to remain neutral in any conflicts. This all changes with the arrival of Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, the woman who broke Rick's heart. She's with her husband Victor Laszlo, an important leader in the resistance movement played by Paul Henreid, who's looking to escape to America to continue his work. Major Heinrich Strasser, played by Conrad Veidt, has arrived to ensure he doesn't escape, enlisting the aid of Casablanca's corrupt police chief Captain Louis Renault, played by Claude Rains.
All the main stars are excellent, with some of best dialogue in cinema - especially the snarky conversations between Rick and Louis. I think my favourite scene is the part where Strasser and a group of officers are singing Die Wacht am Rhein, and Victor orders the house band to play La Marseillaises, prompting all the patrons to out-sing the Germans. I actually get teary-eyed every time I see it - most of the actors and extras were actual refugees who had escaped the Nazis.
Great setting, great characters, great dialogue, and a truly poignant ending.
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