Product Details

• Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt
• Directors: Michael Curtiz
• Writers: Casey Robinson, Howard Koch, Joan Alison, Julius J. Epstein, Murray Burnett
• Producers: Hal B. Wallis
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Language: English, French, German
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: MGM/Ua Studios
• VHS Release Date: June 11, 1997
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (736 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302891124
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,450 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A truly perfect movie, the 1942 Casablanca still wows viewers today, and for good reason. Its unique story of a love triangle set against terribly high stakes in the war against a monster is sophisticated instead of outlandish, intriguing instead of garish. Humphrey Bogart plays the allegedly apolitical club owner in unoccupied French territory that is nevertheless crawling with Nazis; Ingrid Bergman is the lover who mysteriously deserted him in Paris; and Paul Heinreid is her heroic, slightly bewildered husband. Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Conrad Veidt are among what may be the best supporting cast in the history of Hollywood films. This is certainly among the most spirited and ennobling movies ever made. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

172 of 172 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2009 Release is Identical to 2003 Release, January 30, 2010

By 

Leif Sheppard (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD)

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".

114 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's Looking at Blu, Kid, February 4, 2010

By 

Tate - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Casablanca [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Perhaps not in all of cinema's history has there been a movie with such brilliant writing, scoring, acting, and numbers of emotional close ups.

Casablanca is a legend of nearly 70 years, but thanks to Blu Ray technology it doesn't have to feel that way. Watching this classic in 1080p is truly an experience, and I have to praise Warner for providing us with the absolutely best possible transfer this film has ever seen. There's not a trace of grain or flicker or anything you'd expect from a film this old, and the result is stunning. If you've seen the movie before, it's time to relive with this remarkable new technology. If you've somehow missed it on TCM, get cultured and experience one of the greatest films in our history in a way no generation has ever been able to do. Blu Ray. It not only improves the viewing experience, but it invites the viewer right into the moment. With clarity as perfect as this, you forget you're even watching a film and instead feel as though you've tapped into the memories of the characters portrayed.

I don't feel the need to mention the movie's plot, as most I'm guessing have either already seen it before or can find that out elsewhere, so I want to end this review with what you are probably most wondering about anyway. Is the Blu Ray transfer worth buying this for? If I haven't made it clear enough already, YES. I've seen some poor Blu Rays transfers, but this is not one of them. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's one of the best I've seen. The extras, though I haven't experienced them yet, look interesting, including an audio commentary by movie critic Roger Ebert. All in all I'd say that this release is definitely worth getting even if Casablanca isn't your favorite movie of all time. It is a classic, and it is an experience, and with Blu Ray it's better than ever before.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying transfer on this long awaited blu ray re-release, February 6, 2010

By 

W. Craig - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Casablanca [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Side by side comparison with the Toshiba HD pressing (remember those?) proves identical to the naked eye. Looks like true high def. A good buy for those like myself who didn't want all the toys in the box set costing nearly three times as much. Be advised the night scene in Rick's cafe when he asks Sam to play 'As time goes by' is somewhat lower in contrast, but since it's the same way on my old HD I presume it's the source material. As for the film, a lesson in love...it's all about self-sacrifice.