Casablanca (1943)
Michael Curtiz's wartime masterpiece — a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and moral courage set against the shadows of World War II.
Casablanca - Movie Information
- Original Title: Casablanca
- Release Year: 1943
- Directed by: Michael Curtiz
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: German, French, Italian, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 15, 1943 (United Kingdom - U), January 23, 1943 (United States - PG), September 6, 2010 (Canada - PG), August 29, 1952 (Germany - 6), May 21, 1947 (France - TP), December 8, 1944 (Australia - PG), September 17, 1943 (Brazil - 12), March 4, 1943 (Mexico - A), October 3, 1946 (Italy - T), December 19, 1946 (Spain - A), April 3, 1999 (South Korea - 12), April 1, 2005 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Касабланка (BY), کاسا بلانکا (PK), Kasablanka (LV), Կասաբլանկա (AM), קזבלנקה (IL), 北非諜影 (HK), Kazablanka (TR), კასაბლანკა (GE)
- Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Casablanca - Plot
In Casablanca, Morocco in December 1941, a cynical American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.
Casablanca - Trailer
See the classic drama unfold in this official trailer for Casablanca.
They had a date with fate in Casablanca!
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Casablanca - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michael Curtiz
Main Cast
- Humphrey Bogart
- Ingrid Bergman
- Paul Henreid
- Claude Rains
- Conrad Veidt
- Sydney Greenstreet
- Peter Lorre
- S.Z. Sakall
- Madeleine Lebeau
- Dooley Wilson
Writers
- Julius J. Epstein
- Philip G. Epstein
- Howard Koch
Producers
- Hal B. Wallis
Casablanca - FAQs
What is the famous ending of Casablanca explained?
Rick sacrifices his chance at love by convincing Ilsa to flee Casablanca with her husband Victor Laszlo, whose resistance work is too vital to abandon. Rick arranges exit visas and ensures their escape, delivering the iconic farewell at the airport — a bittersweet act of selflessness over personal desire.
Who are the main actors in Casablanca?
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman lead the cast as Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund. They're joined by Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo, Claude Rains as the charming Captain Renault, Conrad Veidt as the menacing Major Strasser, and Dooley Wilson as Sam, the unforgettable pianist.
Is Casablanca based on a true story?
Casablanca is not based on a true story, but it draws heavily on real historical context. The film is adapted from the unproduced 1942 stage play Everybody Comes to Rick's by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. The wartime setting, the Vichy regime, and the refugee crisis in Morocco were all very real.
Where can I stream Casablanca?
You can stream Casablanca on HBO Max or HBO Max Amazon Channel with a subscription. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. YouTube TV subscribers can also watch it as part of their plan.
Did Casablanca win any Academy Awards?
Casablanca won three Academy Awards at the 16th Oscars in 1944: Best Picture, Best Director for Michael Curtiz, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch. It remains one of the most decorated and celebrated films in Hollywood history.
What is Casablanca about?
Set in wartime Morocco in December 1941, Casablanca follows Rick Blaine, a cynical American nightclub owner, whose world is upended when his former love Ilsa arrives with her husband, a Czech resistance leader. Caught between love and duty, Rick must choose between personal happiness and a greater moral cause.
Why is the line 'Play it again, Sam' misquoted?
One of cinema's most famous misquotations — nobody in Casablanca actually says 'Play it again, Sam.' Ilsa says 'Play it once, Sam,' and Rick says 'You played it for her, you can play it for me.' The misquote became so culturally embedded that it outlived the actual dialogue.
How long is Casablanca?
Casablanca runs for 1 hour and 42 minutes (102 minutes). Despite its relatively compact runtime, the film packs in an extraordinary amount of drama, romance, political intrigue, and memorable dialogue — which is part of why it continues to feel so perfectly crafted more than eighty years later.
More About Casablanca
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