Why It's a Classic: Casablanca

[@bimblebee]

If this video plays and you're not watching it, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.

[@Bicloptic]

You’re doing the world a service by educating everyone on these films.

[@qgde3rty8uiojh90]

9:08 "He does nothing in the film besides being excluded." 👊 Now that's hilarious! 🤣

[@samp.8099]

One of the maybe five film analysis KZbin channels that acknowledge movies existing prior to the 70s. And the best one I've seen so far too!

[@Based4045]

Who do you think are the other best Movie analyser.

[@AntonioDiaz-op5up]

what are the other channels?

[@samp.8099]

@@Based4045 ​ @AntonioDiaz-op5up Cinema Cities is one example.

[@imranjavaid71]

"never boring for one second". Both the movie and this video essay.

[@samuelprocter7606]

I thought i was over watching video essays on movies for 4 Years. Then you come along and became the remarkable exception. Youre unpretentious, confident, and actually funny. Youre one of the select few youtubers that makes the obligitory 'like and subscribe' not cringe. And most importantly, you actually teach me new things about effective filmmaking. Which I will definitely use in my own filmmaking. I have a classic movie reccomendation: The Adventures of Robin Hood: directed by Michael Curtis and William Keighly

[@rosezingleman5007]

I think I’ve forwarded his dialogue video about All About Eve to everyone I know by now.

[@Kevin_Street]

Yeah, that's a real classic! It's interesting how such a fun, optimistic adventure movie came out at such a dark time in the real world. It was escapism of the best kind.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

A masterclass video about a masterclass film. I was so very lucky 30 years ago to see this film twice in an old movie theater with the audience at full capacity and everyone all in and enthusiastic about the greatness of what they were watching -- who laughed and clapped in all the right places and who gave thunderous applause when Rains said "round up the usual suspects" at the end. Nothing more thrilling in my lifetime of filmgoing.

[@hebneh]

I also got to see this film in a theater with a full audience in the early 1970s, when it had been recognized as a classic by young adults who’d seen it on TV. And we all reacted enthusiastically throughout as well!

[@Ridcally]

Man, you literally open my eyes to all these movies I've never considered watching and to the art as a whole Thank you!

[@The.Youtuber.with.no.Name.]

I like the format for this, and I hope to see more of it.

[@Moviewise]

And you will!

[@The.Youtuber.with.no.Name.]

@@Moviewise awesome

[@noeltaylor6504]

Ah! I think I can help clear up a mystery. Ugarte doesn't say "DeGaulle" at 2:07. He says "Weygand", meaning Maxime Weygand ("en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxime_Weygand"), a high-ranking Vichy official. This makes much more sense, since -- as you point out -- DeGaulle's signature would carry no weight with the nazis. I think part of the problem is that nowadays nobody remembers Weygand. But DeGaulle's name is still famous, so maybe people are more inclined to hear that name in Ugarte's speech. For many years I also thought he was saying "DeGaulle", but when I listen closely it sounds clear to me that he is saying "Weygand". I suspect the name would have been better known in 1942.

[@alindsey4]

"...in a refugee-jammed Moroccan city, whose name I don't remember." LOL!

[@MarcosElMalo2]

You don’t remember? Are you a dummy? It’s . . . Oh. Never mind. 😅

[@macandcrafting2190]

This is the only film analysis channel you need to watch.

[@LittlePhizDorrit]

These reviews are the best. I already loved this film, but so much detail I had never considered before (especially the use of shadows). Classic films should be taught in school with classic novels. I hope you keep it up, Thanks! I would love to see if I'm justified in loving one of my favorite classics: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

[@rosezingleman5007]

I want to hear what he thinks of Little Big Man. It was a big hit when it came out (I was in high school at the time). It’s kind of forgotten but since it’s based on a picaresque novel, I think his take would be interesting.

[@WildFungus]

they do I learned all of this stuff in a highschool course on film. so the 90s textbook tlaked alot about Dr Calligaris Cabinet this movie Casablanca and interestingly enough probably to keep it fresh for the young minds taking it, Star Wars A New Hope, when they were getting into the use of lighting and shadow. They teach this stuff in film school too.

[@MonsterKidCory]

Casablanca is one of those movies that, between viewings, kinda' falls into the background and I remember abstractly that it's really good, but after I pop it into the player or catch it in a classic series at the local theatre I sit back in awe of what an absolutely perfect movie it really is. Thanks for dissecting it! As for other classics, I'm more of a genre nerd, so it'd be interesting to see your takes on King Kong, Bride of Frankenstein, Vampyr, or The Deadly Invention.

[@jerryschramm4399]

This video essay has increased my respect and admiration for this movie. Bogart did so many classics. "The Maltese Falcon" and "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" are my other two favorites, and we re-watch them on a regular basis. And what connects all these movies are the characters. In just seconds, we can get a feel for who these people are, and how they fit into the world of the movie. Thank you for this video. And congratulations on slowly building a following.

[@AnnoyingMoose]

2:12 I will now ask Ryan George for a Pitch Meeting on Casablanca every time he uploads new material!

[@lbbotpn5429]

Casablanca is my favorite movie of all time... and now I know why. :)

[@biffstrong1079]

I love the pace and the language of Casablanca. Well and Ingrid Bergman. "You've got to hide me Rick. Help me!!" "I stick my neck out for nobody." Busy opening scene. The busiest?? Couple of my favourite lines are " I'm shocked, shocked there is gambling going on in here!!" "Your winnings sir." Run into this one in life all the time. Love the Blue Parrot in the black and white movie. Colonel Heinz : "Can You Imagine us in New York?" Oh and great music choice.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Great analysis. Every scene makes sense. Every frame is beautifully shot. Every character is interesting. Every twist and turn has a reason. And yes, the 17 year old asking Rick if Renault will keep his word is so powerful. And of course, Rick is the perfect metaphor for the United States.

[@arzabael]

Any new video by this channel, I’m stopping my own life to start

[@tomcartwright7134]

What a masterpiece of writing , performances masterful, direction , camerawork and the lighting on each actor’s face.

[@Hilislaw]

This is one of the best, if not altogether the best channel about film on KZbin. I only wish modern directors would watch these videos and maybe learn a thing or two. Sometimes it feels like the art of filmmaking is lost, replaced by vacuous clipmaking with ugly, nondescript shots. Most modern films feel like they were done in PowerPoint... Anyhow, many thanks to Moviewise for top-quality content!

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Another great examination, this time of blocking and choreography of motion. They weren’t the only elements you touch on, but certainly they are center stage in this essay.

[@rpg7287]

Another great movie analysis! Is it all right to say that I get excited every time I see a new Moviewise upload of a classic film analysis? But not as excited as seeing Ingrid Bergman’s face on the screen.

[@bluepeteblue]

I've seen this movie dozens of times, one of my all-time favorites, but never noticed the camera movement and actor blocking-- which is a testament to how unbelievably both are done. Masterful filmmaking. Thanks as always for another gem!

[@jtcbrt]

This is my favorite movie. I've seen it dozens of times. Your observations are excellent. Thank you for this. So well done on your part. Here's looking at you!

[@MA-go7ee]

You're one of the few KZbin channels that breaks down direction and why it matters.

[@MD-ve5zy]

This short video is one of, if not the best, that I've seen on this subject. Whole channel is pure gold. I would love to see your video about Sergio Leone or some of his films.

[@joaomilhomem956]

You drop this, sir 👑

[@michaelcoffey1991]

Really enjoying this series. I hope this series continues from Rear Window to Jaws to Lawrence of arabia to so many more. Some terrific points and easy to see you showcase what you loved about it

[@AGirlofYesterday]

Right again, Mr. Moviewise! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was fortunate enough to catch the 80th anniversary screening at Grauman's Chinese. Not a dry eye in the house. It holds up beautifully.

[@tunesmiththeman]

If I remember right: It´s quite interesting that Peter Ustinov wrote in his biography that Michael Curtiz was the most confusing and careless director he ever worked with! 😄 Maybe he just did not care in his later life.

[@MichaelMacKenzie-c4x]

Brilliant analysis ! I have never noticed any of it during the numerous times I have watched it.

[@elizabethpalladino8301]

One of my favorite movies. I'm fascinated by these details you point out that are right there to see on film or notice in the screenplay, but I've never noticed these things before. I love the movie even more now and will be seeing it again with fresh eyes.😊

[@johns123]

Great video, as always! Can you make a playlist for this series? Also North By Northwest would be a good video for the series. I saw it at the theaters recently and had forgotten how good it is

[@MichielHollanders]

Man. Happy new year. Your videos are quite unique in that I watch some of them more than once. Kind of KZbin classics. Perhaps a video on what makes your videos so great. 😂

[@paulwilson3057]

Love that you got Ryan George into your love letter to the GOAT movie.

[@FauxRomano]

Great as always. As for other titans--Laura (1944) could be a good pick. Or a major Powell flick like The Thin Man (1934) or My Man Godfrey (1936). All near the top of my recommendations when trying to get people into classic cinema. Man, or get into Lang with M (1931) or Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933). The list is endless, really. Keep up the stellar work.

[@Kevin_Street]

This is a wonderful video. Just wonderful. Your insight into these classic movies and ability to communicate those insights to us is unrivaled. Thank you once again. This is a video to bookmark and watch more than once. Golden Age Hollywood is a really interesting place, because there were all these incredibly talented people working on films in the same spot, but the rate of production was so high they were just trying to do their best on each picture and didn't have time for other considerations. I don't think they were consciously creating art. Everybody working on Casablanca was just trying to create a movie that would be popular and make money for the studio. They were absolutely doing their best work, but in an unselfconscious way and as quickly as possible. This rapid production model can produce a lot of unremarkable melodramas, but if you leave the creators alone to do their job without interference, it can also occasionally produce classics like this.

[@albertorimoldi8713]

You have masterfully commented my favourite movie. I understood better why I love it.

[@nicolasbelloni484]

Thank you for all that you teach us. So glad to have your channel

[@that1guy375]

I was able to see it on the big screen and it was pure magic. I had always enjoyed the film but I had a deeper appreciation after that viewing, loved it. Also, yes Ingrid Bergman's face needs as many close-ups as possible. My suggestion for the next classic video is The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.

[@zetectic7968]

I must rewatch this as I have missed so much before. Sticking with B&W for no particular reason: The Third Man, Brighton Rock, Paths of Glory & The Ipcress File.

[@JamsODonnell100]

Ooh. Ipcress file - good one. Yes, please

[@MichaelHayes_s6]

Ipcress File was in colour ;) Great choice though.

[@deebugger]

"Take two people, romantic Smoky nightclub situation Your cigarette traces a ladder" Bryan Ferry would approve of this video.. And as a request: how about Keaton's "The General"? That scene with the cigar burning Buster's elbow, only to reveal a way for him (and us!) to see his captive girlfriend being brought to the room - what an incredible setup..

[@mikea.6121]

@ deebugger, on an unrelated note, how were you able to comment 13 days ago on a video that was posted 11 hours ago?

[@deebugger]

@mikea.6121 through the power of Patreon 🤩

[@mikea.6121]

Ah, or course! I thought I’d found a glitch in the Matrix🙂

[@deebugger]

@@mikea.6121 don't forget to take your red pills! 💊

[@AScreenwritersJourney]

I love your videos because they're educational and entertaining. Thanks for uploading!

[@tripencrypt]

9:51 "Or on a few singles to show reaction. In this case, it's mostly with Ilsa. Which, I have to attribute to Ingrid Bergman's face being a camera magnet." You said it and how!

[@AWinkAndASmile]

Wonderful analysis!

[@deanr.johansen6377]

Excellent observations; thank you. I saw Casablanca about two weeks ago in a movie theater. Unfortunately, it was not full. Then again, there were no interruptions by patrons.

[@brighdaylen]

Another brilliant, informative, fun video. I find your work so rewatchable - there's always so much to learn and enjoy again.

[@vilagivideos3020]

Would like to analyse “The Cremator (1969)” Thank you

[@bobbyokeefe4285]

"Classics ended in the 60's". The Breakfast Club:Am I a joke to you?

[@stillbuyvhs]

"I'm shocked! Shocked there's gambling going on in here!" "Your winnings, sir." "Thank you very much." Gets me every time.

[@InFramesCinema]

Your videos are a great contribution to classic cinema and a tremendous source of knowledge from which you always learn something. I hope you can continue with this excellent work for a long time (english isn't my first language, in case I said something wrong xd).

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Happy New Year Wise One. Glad to see you bringing more cinematic wisdom to youtube masses. Please analyze The Best Years Of Our Lives.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

While studying for my exam Tomorrow, I started thinking about this channel and decided to procrastinate a bit by paying and visit, and I see that you just uploaded a new video 😂

[@BillViall]

Thank you for your fabulous work! I must have watched Casablanca almost once a year over the past 42-I try to pace myself-and yet I had no idea about the fabulous camera work! REALLY fascinating. I’d love it if you did a piece showing where such Curtiz techniques appear in later films. Thank you very much!

[@LeoTheGreat63]

I don’t know if you have done a video on this movie or even seen it but The Scarlet and the Black is an excellent film with Gregory Peck and Christopher Plumber that I think you would enjoy immensely.

[@LeeHarris]

I ran a film group for 12 years in Barcelona and one Christmas decided I would put this film on thinking "fuck it I don't care if no one wants to see it." The place was rammed, around 100 people showed up. I have been meaning to watch it this Christmas, maybe I now will.

[@LordBaktor]

I haven't watched it in a while (like 30 years), so I can't recall much about the cinematography, but A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was an obsession of mine for a while as a kid. I think it counts as a classic (1966). Nowadays all I remember is that Buster Keaton is in it and someone has to bring a horse into a sauna.

[@curtdilger6235]

Your superb analysis makes me want to request 'Othello' because of the Eisensteinian way Orsen Welles has of cutting with dynamic blocking over dialog (Welles was also trying to save money on syncing costs). Bogdanovich mentions it in his full length commentary on the film. I also think it's one of the most compelling architectural films. Cheers and keep up being amazingly good at what you do.

[@joaomilhomem956]

Hey, I like your videos! I will love if you talk about “Black God and White Devil” by Glauber Rocha or “Seven Samurais” by Akira Kurosawa, those movies are absolutely classics

[@uchil3916]

I hope one day you review The Ladykillers (1955), most people only know that Coen Brothers atrocity from 2004. They are really missing out on a classic

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Thank you for this piece on my favorite movie. It is the only movie I can watch repeatedly forever. Even other great films start to wear on me after awhile. But not Casablanca. This is because every viewing shows me something new. Once it's a patriotic thriller, the next time a love story. Then it's an art film, and now I have to watch it just for the shadows, thanks to this review. I have noticed some plot holes that seemed contrived, like de Gaulle's signature. But the film never gives me enough time to think about them. They are dismissed like the sexual innuendos, that even a horny teenager wouldn't notice ("She came to me last night and tried to convince me she still loved me. For your sake I let her pretend.") Characters that go home with you after the film. Peter Lorre is only in the beginning of the film, but Ugarte stays with to the end. No one is forgettable. And the settings are characters themselves. And the script! Nothing is missed. Every important line is presaged or set up. Ferrari buys Rick's when Rick needs to sell, and we don't need to question his willingness because he told us in the fist scene. We get glimpses of Jan and Annina (the Bulgarian couple) throughout the film, so their arrival at Rick's is no surprise. And so many great lines; clever, sardonic, comical, touching, and more, all without being sappy. So much fun to see some of these great aspects of the film pointed out by someone with such an eye.

[@paulfrancisjenkins6483]

Beautiful work my friend as always. P.

[@johnpaulsylvester3727]

The simple “push in on two shot” seems to be the one camera movement you literally NEVER see today…

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Fincher.

[@johnpaulsylvester3727]

@@MarcosElMalo2 Where at? I haven’t seen Mank, but that would make sense if he used it there. He’s one of the better directors currently working, IMO.

[@bobbyj-x7v]

Great essay/ Some recommendations... All That Money Can Buy (1941) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) I Married A Witch (1942) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945, Kazan and Shamroy, who did all the camera set-ups, a testament to collaboration in the studio system) The Letter (1940) Gaslight (1940) versus the 1944 version Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939) best regards, bobby

[@gabriel0961]

Man, you are the best. Really enjoy your videos.

[@David-j9h9g]

perfect casting too!!!!!

[@samuelzins5089]

The first time I saw it, I thought it was a neat movie but I'm not huge on romance movies generally so it went down as one of those movies that's well done but I don't necessarily love. The 2nd time I thought much more, and then randomly in the past week, I was convinced it's one of the absolute best ever

[@Hii-fs8jk]

I know you've done a video on The Big Country about writing characters, but I think Wyler's visual from The Best Years of Our Lives would be good to cover!

[@CamelBack-du5jr]

I would love to see a video on The Sound of Music. It's in my opinion the greatest classic of all time.

[@PW400]

That's a good piece of knowledge. I'm waiting for an analysis of "Vertigo"!

[@RH1812]

Loving your work

[@alexrollinsberg4736]

thank you for these, they are the best

[@SwingingInTheHood]

Love your videos. Always learn something new.

[@knutvegardlorentzen5712]

Amazing! Really appreciate the work of making this great video! :)

[@unimpressedalchemist]

Would love to see a Kurosawa covered in this way. Particularly High and Low or Rashomon. That first half of High and Low has some of the best directing I've ever seen.

[@AntonioHernandez-li7kv]

I highly suggest to review the amazing classic movie "12 angry men". It's directing, writing, acting, music, everything is top notch. Please do it, not because we don't know why it's a classic, but for the people who hasn't yet wachted, and should be awere.

[@JamsODonnell100]

He is foreshadowed, by …his shadow !!!! 😂😂 Just one example of your brilliant style (& analysis) ta very much. ✅

[@nimantvardhantanwar3268]

Great video brother. I would love if you would analyse ‘12th fail’s direction. It is easily one of the best technical work in recent Hindi Cinema.

[@CreationBrosZone-km5be]

Bravo. Well said.

[@BabayChannel]

Great video, I didn't know cassablanca contains so many memes we remember today. I should watch it. On the topic of shadows, I remember hearing an opinion about some modern film how they used lights out of frame of different color to a similar effect, but I can't remember what film it was

[@anrun]

Bravo, sir! Thank you. My vote would be for Vertigo as a lot of younger types I've seen here on YT fail to appreciate its greatness. Granted, it is no Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, but I think it is still worthy of your expert attention. I'd also vote for Chinatown. It isn't a 'classic' by the definition you used at the end of this video, but it did receive an honorable mention in your greatest films ever video.

[@constanzagarcia348]

Please, do Laura. I´ve allways been fascinated with Classic Noir films. Or Seven Samurai, All quiet in the Western front (1930). Thanks for your work.

[@alexh1681]

You are providing excellent content!

[@amirhani22]

Thank you for your efforts man, it's an opportunity to learn and appreciate the classics. I would love to see you analyze "Lawrence of Arabia".

[@CartoonCentral10]

I love your videos, you're my favourite Movie KZbinr

[@matm4331]

Thank you for posting, I learn so much here! I love Steve McQueen movies...would you consider study of Sand Pebbles? Thanks again...

[@Jilktube]

Since your last video, I've thought hard about what to suggest for the next installment of this series. I've come to the conclusion that you simply *must* talk about Fritz Lang's M! (And maybe the American remake too as a tool of comparison.)

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Magnifique !! I'm not French but it's the only word that fits !!

[@samuelsnow8714]

Love your channel and your videos. This one is no exception. MAISTRO. I wondering what you thought of Maistro. I was blown away! This film gave me hope for modern cinema. Ya seen it? Thank you for all of your content.

[@MelIssa-rb9mq]

King is back!👑👑👑

[@shawn6669]

Never forget that the Pickpocket shows up 40ish years later as "Homer" in "Wings of Desire".

[@jamescronan7220]

A similar analysis of the wide screen black and white classic, The Hustler, would be appreciated.

[@JamesTateWilson]

Great video. Would love to see you do a Hitchcock movie next.

[@Meleeace1478]

Could you cover the classic that is Lawrence of Arabia?

[@szymonskowronski5689]

I genuinely laughed of loud at "such watch?" line 😂

[@justgivemethetruth]

Best movie ever done.

[@AugustGallmeyer1998]

There are people that need to be told that Casablanca is a classic? Like actually convinced as if their were any doubt? Like it’s not obvious?

[@slimshady2612]

Your channel is my favorite bro🔥