Why Casablanca Stays With Me: A Timeless Classic's Enduring Impact

Casablanca wasn’t the first black-and-white movie I’d ever seen. But by the time I’d worked my way to Casablanca, I was looking for something truly classic, a film that had stood the test of time. I probably knew several of the iconic lines prior to seeing it, which initially made it feel like an easy watch. However, upon viewing the film, I realized that I had only scratched the surface of its brilliance.

I was taking classes at my local community college and was passionate about writing and movies. While the college didn’t have a film program, one of my professors had done some work in the film industry and he also served as my advisor. I toyed with the idea of becoming a screenwriter and when i talked to my professor, he told me to watch Casablanca.

I loved it immediately. It kept me glued to the screen to see what would happen next. It was like a spy thriller, but at the pace of humanity, focusing on the people and their emotional journeys. The tension during the scene in Rick's Cafe when the German officers sing 'Die Wacht am Rhein' perfectly captures the spy thriller element.

The scenes felt tense, but Bogart never seemed to echo any anxiety. He was always calm and had a certainty about his next move.

That calm demeanor allowed for the subtle development of the romantic and buddy-cop aspects of the film.

A classic

I’ve owned this movie in almost every format since I originally watched it.

It was a romantic movie, but it was also a buddy-cop movie in the way it builds the relationship between Rick and Louis. Their dynamic is filled with witty banter and underlying respect, which is a great example of the buddy-cop dynamic.

It was the film’s exploration of sacrifice and moral ambiguity that truly resonated with me. Bogart’s portrayal of Rick, a man struggling with his past and his conscience, was captivating. The final scene, with its bittersweet farewell, still gives me chills. Casablanca reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty, humanity and hope can prevail.

Bogart became one of my favorite actors and I started watching all his films, but this is the one that stuck. It may have been ‘right-time-right-place’, but Casablanca influenced the way I viewed older movies. It was no longer with a side-eye, but with a curiosity that made me wonder why certain movies have stood the test of time.

I’ve owned this on VHS, DVD, digital and now 4K. This is a movie I may not watch often, but when I’m in the mood, I need to not wonder what streaming service it’s on.

How about you, dear reader? What classic film has stayed with you, and why?