The Bus

As my friend says, "Classics are classic for a reason."

Got to see this over the weekend. I'm usually hesitant in seeing some of the "classic" films in my collection because they (deservedly) demand attention and focus, things I don't have in spades at 11PM (when I'm usually seeing films at home). Now I'm kicking myself for not having it seen years early. It has an immediate placement in my Top 20, if not higher.

What does everyone else think of this movie? Do you find it underrated? Overrated?

riotinmyskull

it's perfect. not at all overrated.

naitram

Second best American film behind Citizen Kane, imo. Casablanca has it all.

Arthur Dent

I saw it for the first time 6 years ago (when I was 17). Definitely due for a re-watch.

Solid Snake

Number 2..behind Number 1- Citizen Kane.

Numanoid

Your friend should trademark that.

Oh wait.

B5Erik

Casablanca is a great movie, period. I love it. I've loved it since I first saw it about 29 or so years ago.

It is not my favorite movie, nor in my top 10, but I love it all the same. (I actually like a handful of Bogart's other movies better, such as The Big Sleep, The Petrified Forest, To Have and Have Not, The Maltese Falcon, etc, but that doesn't take anything away from Casablanca, they're all great movies.)

tylergfoster

The best part about Casablanca is how modern it remains. The dialogue is savvy in a timeless way. I think most people think classic films are going to be stuffy and feature outdated traditions and attitudes, but Casablanca is as fresh now as it ever was.

toddly6666

Casablanca - An overrated piece of crap film...I just didn't like it at all.

PopcornTreeCt

GREAT movie.

Second best American film, behind There Will Be Blood.

toddly6666

I wish I could enjoy Casablanca like everyone else...I think The Maltese Falcon is Bogart's better film...

kk8

Did the same thing, I've been on an old movie spree for the last few years but just kept putting off Casablanca, didn't think it could live up to the hype. Boy how wrong I was, just an all around great movie and deserving of all the fame it has. Can't believe I put off watching it for so long. Also it's another example of showing Claude Rains has to be one of the most underrated actors, he's in so many good films but I never heard of him until I started watching old films.

rexinnih

Great movie and one of the all time classics in my opinion. I can re-watch with no problem.

Goat3001

Agree 100%. Great movie all around a true American classic. I only watch it about once every two or three years and I enjoy it more everytime. Compare this to Citizan Kane, which I thought was great as well, I just never felt the need to see the film again.

wendersfan

It's astounding how many parallel narratives are handled with such ease. Curtiz isn't considered a "top tier" director like Ford or Hawks but he really brought his game with this one. Having a great script and a fantastic cast didn't hurt either.

nateman

I was also hesitant at first of watching Casablanca in fear that I wouldn't like it. After I watched it about 6 or so months ago it instantly became one of my top ten favorite films. I watched the Two-Disc Special Edition and as soon as it came out on Blu-ray I bought it. I think if you like films this is a must watch. It's the perfect example of a perfect film.

The incredible thing about Casablanca is that it hasn't dated in the least. The humor is still cutting edge, the drama is outstanding and the ending puts tears in your eyes. The film also has the most memorable lines of any film ever made. "Play it again, Sam", "Here's looking at you, kid", "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." and "Louis, I think this is the beginning of beautiful friendship." No other film is as quotable.

joeblow69

I haven't seen this yet either. What's it about, anyway?

JustinCleveland

And I think The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is better still, along with The African Queen. But then again I have a crush on Bogart.

That said, I adore Casablanca both as a story and technical achievement along with its historical significance: it came out at a time in American history where we were like Rick--unwilling to engage in what we perceived to be a foreign conflict even though it was impacting us. The movie serves as a social commentary of the day, a fable that holds up as entertainment today. Casablanca is a fantastic, beautiful film.

Goat3001

Meh, don't bother with watching it now. Just wait for next year's remake.

Casablanca (McG, 2010) -- Dane Cooke & Jessica Simpson.

Nick Cannon is in talks to play Sam.

Meglos

Chimpanzees. Lots and lots of chimpanzees.

And Boris Karloff is their king!

Hokeyboy

I had the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen a few years ago at the University of Miami. Complete with trailers, shorts (including an AWESOMELY hilarious Peter Benchly short), cartoons, the works. And it was for FREE. It was a magical evening and what happened to my pants?

Not in my Top 10 or even Top 20, definitely Top 50. CASABLANCA is a 40s B-movie that perseveres through its quality on all counts.

OldBoy

one of the best movies ever.

Bandoman

I love this movie and haven't watched it in some time. I'll rewatch it this weekend.

For those of you with Netflix, it's available for instant viewing.

wendersfan

Why not just watch the remake that came out a few years ago?

Hokeyboy

LMAO!!

You know, "Barb Wire" is one of my wife's favorite guilty pleasures... I never saw 1 frame of this movie until about 2 months ago, and sat with her while she was watching it one afternoon. About 20 minutes into it, I turned to her and said, "You DO realize this movie is just a full-grade rip-off of ... err, homage to CASABLANCA, right?" and then rattled off every last similarity.

She started laughing, then got mad, accused me of "ruining the movie forever" for her, and I had to sleep on a cot in the service porch for 3 nights. Stupid Pamela Anderson movie...