Search - Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition) on DVD

2009 Release is Identical to 2003 Release

Leif Sheppard | United States | 01/31/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2009 release of "Casablanca" is identical to the 2003 Special Edition release, except it's packaged in a regular DVD case as opposed to the cardboard case of the original. The first disc contains two commentary tracks (one with Roger Ebert, one with historian Rudy Behlmer), a two-minute introduction by Lauren Bacall, and a gallery of trailers. The film transfer is also identical to the original release, but this film looks about as great as it possibly can on DVD.

The second disc contains the one hour and twenty minute 1988 "Bacall on Bogart" documentary and a thirty-five minute making-of documentary "You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca". Next is a seven minute feature with Bogart's son and Bergman's daughter titled "As Time Goes By: The Children Remember", along with the eight minute 1995 cartoon spoof "Carrotblanca". A selection of deleted scenes and outtakes, totalling about seven minutes, are of particular interest here (though there is no sound for any of them), and a "Production Research" gallery. Of lesser interest is the premiere episode from the 1955 "Casablanca" TV series titled "Who Holds Tomorrow?", it's a noble failure and clocks in at about nineteen minutes.

As far as special features go, the only thing the "Casablanca" Ultimate Collector's Edition has over this release is the hour-long 1993 documentary "Jack Warner: The Last Mogul" on a third disc. It's quite entertaining and informative, particularly for film buffs, but it's really the only reason to purchase the 'Ultimate' edition. That is, unless one cares about a small book of production photos, office memos, lobby & poster cards, and a passport holder and luggage tag emblazoned with "Casablanca"."

They'll always have Paris; we'll always have CASABLANCA

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 04/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When CASABLANCA was widely released to theaters in January 1943, its producers and Warner's had no inkling that this would become a cinematic immortal. (Events similar to what occurred with Fox's 1951 sci-fier, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL.)

In the seven decades since a never mounted stageplay called "Everybody Comes to Rick's" was adapted for the screen by the Epstein twins and Howard Koch, CASABLANCA has spawned two short-lived TV series, but wisely on the part of filmmakers, no motion picture rehashes. Here we have an ideal cast following a perfect script; a timeless love story that ends happily for no one that's set in a North African stopping point for refugees of a merciless war. Their German oppressors are here as well in these final days before the Allied invasion of North Africa.

Former gun runner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) owns "Rick's Café Américain", a place that folks of all political persuasions and nationalities gravitate to. His loyal friend and piano artisté Sam (Dooley Wilson) performs every song but one, that is until Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) wanders in, spots him at the keys and coos, "Play 'As Time Goes By'." When Rick storms over to chastise Sam for the song he never wants to hear, he and Ilsa are reunited. We soon learn of their affair in Paris and sudden parting while Germans marched in, Rick's hard feelings at Ilsa's disappearance that day, and the love which yet remains within him.

All this amid the chaos of other lives, people scrambling for impossible to get papers of transit even as an ever-present enemy heightens their awareness of danger. The Italian Ugarte (Peter Lorre) gives Rick two of these priceless letters just before he's arrested by Louis Renault (Claude Rains), a corrupt police captain. Ugarte dies in custody, leaving an embittered Rick with the dilemma of giving the transit docs to Ilsa and her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech Resistance refugee, or saving them for his own escape. Lazlo selflessly suggests that Rick use the papers to escort Ilsa to safety while he remains in Casablanca. Then Laszlo is arrested by Renault on a false charge...


CASABLANCA is the one film that all Classic Era movie fans should own, and the one to be seen repeatedly. It never ages, defying time itself even "as time goes by.""

Everyone is in love with Rick

bernie | Arlington, Texas | 02/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1942 the Nazi occupation of France. Refugees must take a long and torturers rout Through Casa Blanca on their way to America; there "Everybody comes to Rick's." Rick's is a nightclub and a way station for a chance to get to America. Rick is played by Humphrey Bogart.

Here we also stay for a while to watch a drama unfold. There are overlapping stories. One of a young couple trying to get to America and the girl wondering if a girl should have to do something naughty was wondering what would happen if her husband, "a boy in many ways", would find out? A second rate crook (Peter Lorre) obtains something of value at the expense of two German curriers. A Police Captain (Claude Rains) is shocked to find there is gambling going on at Rick's as he stuffs his pocket with his gambling earnings. Many other stories surround the main theme of a love triangle that started in Paris and now can mean so much to individuals or the effort for freedom.

Will the Nazi's win their prize?
Will Capt. Renault get the young girl?
Will Rick get away with Ilsa?

This film has become quite a classic. There are many quotes and misquotes attributed to the film. You will find your self kibitzing. One memorable seen for all is the showdown where the Germans are singing "Watch on the Rhine" and Yvonne (Madeleine LeBeau) over powers them leading the "La Marseillaise."

http://home.foni.net/%7Ehahnstrohbach/diewacht.mp3

I saw the Blu-ray version. Cannot tell if it is Blu-ray or just the big screen but many details are all of a sudden visible. It does not add to the story but is improves the viewing experience.

Casablanca: Script and Legend: The 50th Anniversary Edition

The Maltese Falcon [Blu-ray]
"

It's still one of the best.

Patty Jane | GA | 03/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We used this for a 'Movie Night' for our Sunday School class on Valentine's Day evening. There were lots of folks who said they had never seen it all the way through. This is great entertainment! I didn't remember the amount of humor that was in it. The best thing I can say is....'play it again, Sam'!"