What is your favorite movie?

The perfect movie…Humphrey Bogart was flawless in his portrayal of the flawed hero, Ingrid Bergman could not have been more beautiful–the whole cast was incredible. When Victor Laszlo demands that the band play “Le Marseillaise,” and Rick gives them the almost imperceptible nod so that they know it’s okay, then they play it and drown out the Germans, it never fails to make me cry, it’s so inspiring. It has the most memorable, most profoundly moving last scene in the whole history of movies. It is without a single flaw.

As stated in a special about our favorite movies. Movies are a series of moments. The movies with the most moments make the top ten. You know how you can re-watch a movie and you hang around to see the upcoming “moment.” For me, CASABLANCA has the most moments that speak to me. The moments move from classic lines, to diverse characters, to tense situations, to songs, to love, hatred, betrayal and heroism. Now I’m going to have to watch it again.

This movie brings to us some of the most memorable lines and characters in film history. Okay, it’s a little schmaltzy and it’s full of propaganda, but the story line is as old as all literature (think Lancelot and Guinevere) played by two of the greates actors of the 20th century. The recurrence of this theme throughout history speaks to the archetypical relevance of this story to human romance. And Casablanca is set in the turning point of the 20th century (when the outcome was completely unknown). It is a story of hope for love and for victory over overpowering evil. It is a story of love, not as we want it to be, but in a way that may be more true and more meaningful. The comedic is mixed artfully with the tragic. Frienship and patriotism triumphs over greed and self interes. And anyone who does not get misty eyed when Victor Lazlo takes charge of the cafe and has the band sing La Marseillaise is from a different planet than me.

Bogie at his best.

Not in the top 100? You must be kidding. The court martial scene alone makes it a better movie than at least half of the dogs in the top 100. The Caine Mutiny belongs in the top ten. What performance in any of the the top 100 can beat Bogart’s portrayal of Captain Queeg cracking on the witness stand? Only perhaps Bogart in another movie.

Bogart’s portrayal of the embattled ship’s captain on the stand is a tour de force. The cast is exceptional: Fred MacMurray, Jose Ferrer, and Van Johnson. In my view, Van Johnson was the audience: naive, too easily led, and yet feeling good about his choice. When Boagrt portray’s Captauin Queeg’s meltdown on the stand, Van Johnson seems to be proven correct. We all are. But Ferrer shows us how wrong we all can be. I have never seen Fred MacMurray in a better role.

The ultimate story of morality, love, trust, betrayal, and sacrifice. Is there a more charming, toughened, beautiful, and finally moral character than Rick Blaine? Is there a more wonderful lesson than that sometimes we must sacrifice the thing we love the most? Not on my books.

“Here’s looking at you, kid…”

I’m a total film geek, but this film gets me every. single. time.

It has everything you would ever want in a movie without feeling like it’s too much or that it’s trying too hard to be everything for everyone.

Action, violence, tragic love, war, pride in one’s country, comedy, heartbreak, fantastic cinematography, witty reparte, music, biting sarcasm, social commentary, beautiful people, plot twists before they became passe, anti-heroes, head vs. heart, etc.

It is absolutely brilliant & this is why, out of all of the several films I revere and could watch over and over again, this one, by far and large, stands out above and beyond the rest.

With all due respect to modern filmmakers and the controversial subjects of some new films that have entranced movie goers (i/e BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN in particular…a good film certainly), how many of these movies that are garnering votes and opinions will stand the test of time? I glanced at the list of peoples favorites and I found the films with the most votes are less than 6 or 7 years old. Has film making only just reached it’s zenith in the last decade? I doubt it. I have seen virtually every film on the list, many of them literally dozens of times. I love film and the magic it creates, but I have to see a film match the magic of Bogart, Bergman, Rains, and the great Dooley Wilson…”PLAY IT”

I’m not sure who doesn’t know this story … if you don’t, watch it!

Despite being put together very haphazardly with many writers and an uncertain ending, this is the most well constructed movie ever — the story, the dialog, the casting, the photography. It is the best combination of drama, mystery, suspense, action, romance, and most especially comedy. How many lines are classics — and so funny? It’s hard to put this movie into a genre and depending on your mood you might categorize it differently with every viewing.

The cast is amazing — Bogie is perfect, Ingrid is beautiful, and the character actors are all cast right on the money. Claude Rains steals the show, though, I think, and has so many of the best lines delivered superbly.

The movie is also a instance of art imitating life — while this movie was being made many refugees were making this same journey in real life. It made the refugee situation in Europe hit home with American movie-goers.

Also, a majority of the extras and supporting characters (and a few of the stars) were actual ex-patriots who had escaped Europe in recent years. How can anyone not be moved and entertained by this movie? I’ve watched it hundreds of times and never get tired of it. Kane doesn’t even come close …
By: MJ Nehasil

The Most Complete And Well Rounded Story Hollywood Has ever Made.

Possibly the most romantic story in every sense of the word. In any one scene, you get intrigue, quotable dialouge, pinpoint accurate acting and a sense of wonder no matter how many times you have seen it. The anticipation of what YOU KNOW WILL HAPPEN enhances the experience every time. When I got married, I gave copy of this movie to each of my groomsmen telling them that not only is this what great movies are all about, but what true love can make a man do.
By: Don Coonradt

This movie has everything that I love about movies in general.

This movie has everything that I love about movies in general. It not only has 3 superb actors at the top of their game (Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman & Claude Rains), but it also has romance, humor, espionage, thrills, suspense and a great hero in the form of Bogie’s Rick Blaine, not to mention several memorable quotes that I myself use continuously in my life. I can watch this film over and over and NEVER get tired of it. “Here’s looking at you kid.”
By: Christopher Kowalsky Sr.

The greatest film EVER made.

This movie’s got everything-romance, laughs, wit, action, adventure, honor, and nobility. It truly is the greatest film EVER made.
By: Conor Crockford

This movie has everything a great film should have.

This movie has everything a great film should have. Drama, romance, comedy, intrigue. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are two of my all time favorite actors. Casablanca has the rare quality of more enjoyable the more times you see it.
By: Matthew Carley

Casablanca has been the most honored film on the AFI lists.

Casablanca has been the most honored film on the AFI lists. Due to being so memorable, unflawable, and perfect.
By: Mark Hurlburt

Casablanca has one of the greatest and most memorable scripts of all time.

Casablanca has not only one of the best actors of all time (Bogart), Casablanca has one of the greatest and most memorable scripts of all time:

“Rick: …Here’s looking at you, kid.”

“Ilsa: A frank for you thoughts.”

“Rick: Why I’m so lucky. Why I should find you waiting for me to come along.”

“Rick: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she had to walk into mine.”

“Ilsa: I wish I didn’t love you so much.”

“Ilsa: Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time.”

“Rick: Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

“Rick: We’ll always have Paris.”

I could go on and on.
By: Justin Mignone

This movie is the greatest!

This movie is the greatest!!!
By: Ben Frazier

Great Everything movie!

Tremdous dialog (with brilliant humor), great acting, and a great song strung thoughout (and it’s not a musical!).
By: Ken Seratte

See it again.

See it again ,again and yet new !
By: Michel Courtize

I had a hard time saying what is better between this and The Godfather.

I had a hard time saying what is better between this and The Godfather: they are both tied. However, I come back to this because it has that x factor about it: something that makes it perfect….Here’s looking at you, kid!
By: Mark Lester

The greatest movie ever made!

The greatest movie ever made!
By: Eric Owens

It has everything.

It has everything: love, lust, intrigue, beauty, redemption, snappy one-liners and Humphrey Bogart. Who could ask for more.
By: Phil Wilke

This movie means a lot to me.

This movie means a lot to me because of the amazing story and acting. Humphery Bogart is such a great actor and he became my role model the moment I finished the movie. So this movie means a lot to me.
By: Ben Frazier

The greatest characters, casted perfectly, assembled in an exciting film with class and atomsphere that can never be duplicated.

This film has so many intriguing qualities. It combines romance, suspense, a world changing amid war, heroics, Dooley Wilson, one of the greatest casting achievements ever, and some of the most famous quotes ever uttered on film. No one can ever step into Humphrey Bogart’s shoes and Ingrid Bergman was the epitomy of screen beauty. It is an unforgetable film that can be viewed over and over and never lose it’s luster.

By: Brian Healey