Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Michael Curtiz
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul HenreidDirector: Michael Curtiz
Brand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Published), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 102 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-08-05
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product features:
- 2003 - Casablanca - 60th Anniversary - DVD Set
- 2-Disc Special Edition - Rated PG - Bonus Materials
- Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains
- Standard Version - 102 Minutes - Oscar Winner
- Collectible - Warner Bros. - Classic
Movie Reviews of Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Movie Review: What Makes "Casablanca" A Timeless Beauty?
Summary: 5 Stars
"The lure of 'Casablanca' lies in its romance, intrigue and mystery. But those are common ingredients for many movies. What makes it a landmark film and a touchstone for so many is largely because of its romance....It's no wonder 'Casablanca' remains a favorite of audiences around the world." ~ Narrative by Lauren Bacall ~
Stephen Bogart, son of Humphrey Bogart, described "Casablanca" as "one of those timeless beauties that last forever." He is absolutely right about it--his words mirror some of my thoughts about this classic of a film. After sixty-seven years, the 1943 Academy Awards "Best Picture" is still attracting myriads of viewers, young and old alike. Michael Curtiz did an excellent directorial job that ultimately earned him the "Best Director" award while brothers Julius and Philip Epstein, and Howard Koch won the "Best Screenplay." Even though Bogart did not win the "Best Actor" in which he was nominated for, I admire his acting. I believe he was one of the most credible actors of all-time who can do justice to any role that he portrayed. He was such a great actor with intriguing yet magnetic personality. Paul Henreid's role as Victor Laszlo, a Resistance leader, was also remarkably depicted. I admire his character that shows his patriotism and not to mention his kind understanding and undying love for his wife albeit her infidelity.
Although I've seen the film several times in the past, I still enjoy it from start to finish whenever I feel like watching it again--just like I did two nights ago before turning in to bed. I still feel the very same emotions with each viewing. (This Two-Disc Special Edition is my second purchase of "Casablanca" DVDs, the first one was One-Disc Edition--ASIN 6305736650).
While the storyline is not exactly the best love story ever written because of its unexpected twist in the ending, it is absolutely one of the best films ever produced and one of my top five favorite classic films of all-time. The main characters, Rick and Ilsa, are definitely not the role models one would love to emulate and look upon, but the portrayal of their respective roles were impressively acted out to perfection--the dashing debonair Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, a café owner who "sticks his neck out for nobody" but is willing to kill if someone crosses him; and the stunningly beautiful Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund, a once-lonely-wife who cheated on her husband in Paris while the latter was at the concentration camp. Theirs is a one-of-a-kind, poignant love story. She is very much married and yet she fell madly in love and had an affair with another man who told her on the second time they parted, "We'll always have Paris."
Many years passed after they were separated from each other, both were surprised when they crossed paths again only to discover that they still have strong feelings for each other. That chance meeting rekindled the smoldering embers that never die in their hearts. "They have a date with fate in Casablanca." Even though Ilsa broke Rick's heart, he loved her so much that he once described her, "She isn't just any woman." And that feeling was mutual and was very much reciprocated by Ilsa.
Ilsa: "I don't know what's right any longer. You have to think for both of us, for all of us."
Rick: "All right, I will. Here's looking at you, kid."
Ilsa: "I wish I didn't love you so much."
Another thing that made "Casablanca" appealing is the beautiful soundtrack courtesy of Max Steiner who wrote the music score. He was described as "the favorite composer of Warner Brothers and was famous for writing stunning scores, he's always on the cutting edge for all his scores." He was also nominated for "Best Musical Scoring." He should have won the award, his choice of music is impeccable--all the greatest songs from 1930s and early 1940s. Henry Mancini, an outstanding composer/film scorer/arranger/conductor, once said that "As Time Goes By" is "masterful and it is tied to the film so tightly." That is so true, no one thinks of "Casablanca" without a reference to Herman Hupfeld's "As Time Goes By." The movie and the song are like "Romeo and Juliet" or "Nicholas and Alexandra" or "Dunn and Bradstreet" or even "Ben and Jerry's."
Remember the following memorable scenes? These are the scenes that moved me the most, To me, they are the emotional highlights of the film. There is a sentimental and nostalgic touch in the way the song was rendered by Sam (Dooley Wilson).
Ilsa: "Some of the old songs, Sam."
Sam: "Yes, Ma'am."
Ilsa: "Play it once, Sam, for old time's sake."
Sam: "I don't know what you mean, Ms. Ilsa."
Ilsa: "Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."
Sam: "I can't remember, Ms. Ilsa, I'm a little rusty on it."
Ilsa: "I'll hum it for you.... (starts humming)
(Sam starts playing)
Ilsa: "Sing it, Sam."
Sam: (Singing)
"You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say 'I love you'
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by"
Then comes Rick with a stern face saying, "Sam, I thought I told you never to play it!"
And later Ilsa told Rick, "Say goodnight to Sam for me. There's still nobody in the world who can play "As Time Goes By" like Sam. To which Rick replied, "He hasn't played it in a long time."
And much later that night while Rick was drinking alone, Sam came in. Rick asked him to join him for a drink but he did not oblige, instead he started playing the piano. There is that obvious pain and regret in Rick's face. Anyone who has loved and lost can feel for him and can empathize with him.
Rick: "Sam!"
Sam: "Yes, boss?"
Rick: "It's December 1941 in Casablanca. What time is it in New York?
Sam: "Aah, my watch stopped."
Rick: "I'd better sleep in New York. I'd better sleep all over America. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine....." "What's that you're playing?"
Sam: "Oh, just a little something on my own."
Rick: "Oh, stop it! You know what I want to hear."
Sam: "No, I don't!"
Rick: "You played it for her. You play it for me."
Sam: "Oh, I don't think I can remember."
Rick: "If you can't stand it, I can! Play it!"
Sam: "Yes, boss."
As Sam was poignantly and expressively playing the tune of "As Time Goes By," Rick drifts into another place and another time.
I'd better stop here--I'm getting carried away. But suffice it to say that this Two-Disc Special Edition is worthy to any "Casablanca" fan and it is also an ideal gift item as well. The first disc contains an introduction by no less than the wife of Bogart, Lauren Bacall; the movie itself and some special features. The second disc includes "The Children Remember" featuring Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom; deleted scenes and additional scenes; outtakes and scoring stage sessions; and other interesting features such as how they came up with the movie title, and a premiere episode from the 1955 Casablanca TV series called "Who Holds Tomorrow?"
"Casablanca" is a timeless beauty that can be viewed again and again "as time goes by." And for the younger generation who haven't seen the film yet, this might be the "beginning of your beautiful friendship" with this "Best Picture" and a classic of a film. It's a keeper!
Summary of Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition)
RICK BLAINE, A CALLOUS NIGHTCLUB OWNER IN A WARTIME WAYSTATION, HAS HIS WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN WHEN HIS LOST LOVE, ILSA,RETURNS.Similar DVD Movies
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