Lecture notes
Casablanca by Curtiz 1942 Lecture Notes
- Institution
- WJEC
Lecture notes covering all aspects of the film Casablanca. All areas of study including: Plot, Characters, Auteur, Context and more with written analysis.
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1 review
By: caitbeck • 11 months ago
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Film StudiesCasablanca
Curtiz, 1942
,Personal Response
• I have a mixed response to Casablanca as when I watched it I found it diffificult as a film to follow however when I
learned more about it from lessons and research I thought the plot line was really interesting. I really enjoyed
learning about the context behind the film and all about what was going on in Casablanca during the war. Once I
did have more understanding of the film I can look back at it and find it really interesting . I liked the music and
how it changed and developed as the film when on. I like how it mirrored what the tone of the film was at each
point.
• I also liked the black and white low key lit style of the film as It allowed me to be immersed in the time period it
was set.
• I did not however enjoy the development of some characters. Ilsa- I found particularly one dimensional and
indecisive. I disliked how she came across as it reflected negatively on the women of the film generally. I liked the
small changes in ricks character throughout the film however I found him rather stagnant at time. (with research
knowledge I do apricate the quite subtilty's more)
• One thing to mention is how difficult I found it to hear and remember who everyone in the film was. Although I did
enjoy sams character as he stood out against the otherwise serious tone of the film.
• I think the film carried some interesting political and social views including subtle hints of rape. I would be
interested to do some more research on the allegory's behind the film.
• I thought the sets and costume where well developed- I loved how they dressed ricks place and how they
contrasted it with the Paris shots.
• One scene I particularly remember is the scene where ricks helps a young couple win a few gambling rounds as I
enjoyed watching each characters reactions. It made me more empathetic to rick and helped me appreciate his
character more. It was also easy to follow in terms of what was going on.
, Research-
some of the information I found out during my own research was similar to some of
the stuff we learned about it class later on so there might be some repetition and
overlap!
• Bogarts character represents America in the film. He is meant to be a wake up calls for American government to try encourage them to join
the war effort. As the film goes on he becomes more involved in helping people get away from the Nazis and even at the end kills to protect.
This is trying to show the government that they should be helping. Warner brothers previously had tried to encourage the government to
help the war effort so this could be seen as a second attempt.
• Casablanca is a sort of purgatory for people trying to get away from the Nazis so they all have very uncertain fates. There is an idea
throughout the film that everyone is lost metaphorically. There are lots of different people- we never focus on one couple trying to escape
for very long (baring Ilsa and her husband obviously) it is all temporary. there is also a big spot light in a tower throughout the film that
continues to rotated repetitively while never actually illuminating anything. This shows how uncertain life is at this time in the war. Know one
knows at this point who will win the war so there is lost of uncertainty within the film to reflect the scary life's of confusion everyone is living.
Another example in the film of uncertainty is the back and forth of who Ilsa will choose to stay with- something we only find out at the very
end. Its all a big question mark to make the audience think deeply about how they want this war to go.
• Ilsa and ricks relationship is symbolic of the wars timeline. When they are in Paris before the tanks arrive they are in their own safe haven.
Their oblivious bliss is Brocken with the tanks storm Paris showing the war cannot be ignored any longer. This shock of war coincided with
Ilsa finding out Lazlo is still alive. This is meant to show how their separation is due to the Germans and the horrors of war rather than any
falling out. The reason Ilsa and rick never get together is because of ricks commitment to helping the war effort rather than his commitment
to Ilsa. This is a message to a audience is the middle of the war who might be struggling to keep relationships and commitments themselves
that the war itself is far more important to commit to. Their love story is so memorable because it must be subverted by the painful reality's
of the external world. The film helps acknowledge that there are more important things than true love when people are dyeing. Ricks lesson
is also Americas. When he stopped trying to run away from his true self he opens up opportunity’s for a much better life. this is the lesson for
America that they need to stop living in a false scene of security and take action.
• Casablanca is a morality film that questions the audience if they are strong enough of character to keep fighting for what’s morally good or if
they will let the dark corrupt path (Germans in films case) take over. This question is the embodiment of rick – he is a Brocken man who was
once an idealist. He struggles with his cynical side who is embodied within the film by captain reno who is an unapologetic opportunist and
ricks opposite. There is used opposition to show the twos contrasting ideas throughout the film. Rick is often shot in side lighting to show
him as half light half dark. This is to demonstrate his split self and moral dilemma. This is also the same for Ilsa to show she is torn between
love and duty. in their interaction in ricks room there are lines created from blinds that cast shows of their faces- this emulates the look of
prison bars to show how they are both trapped and unable to pursue their love. In contrast I found interesting how Lazlo's face is always lit
well from all side showing he has no doubts and is the face of optimism and inspiration a bit like a lightbulb.
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