Casablanca by Michael Curtiz

During World War 2, people are fleeing Nazi rule by escaping to Casablanca. There, they wait to receive letters of transit to fly to Lisbon and eventually move to the United States. Rick Blaine is an American who owns a restaurant which attracts people trying to escape from Europe to the Americas. Ugarte gives Rick two letters of transit that he obtained by killing two German officers. Ugarte asks him to guard them until he can sell them but is captured by the Casablanca police before. He allegedly dies in custody and is unable to tell Captain Renault, the corrupt French police official, where the letters are. Rick is fiercely respected and for reasons unknown, cannot return back to the United States. Suddenly, Isla Lund, Rick’s former lover, enters his restaurant with Victor Laszlo, her husband. Laszlo is one of the leaders of the Resistance constantly fighting against Nazi Germany. She recognizes Sam, the restaurant pianist and Rick’s closest friend. Ilsa asks Sam to play a song that she and Rick liked when they were together in Paris. When Rick hears him play, he immediately tells him to stop and then is shocked to see Ilsa. Her and Laszlo, the Czech Resistance leader, are in Casablanca to receive letters of transit and escape Europe. Ferrari, owner of the Blue Parrot black market, asks Rick for the two letters of transit given to him by Ugarte. Rick refuses and when Laszlo asks why he will not sell them, Rick tells him to ask his wife. During Ilsa and Ricks’ relationship in Paris, she was still married to Laszlo, but she was told that he was found dead in the concentration camp. Casablanca is in unoccupied France, limiting Major Strasser’s arrests. Strasser orders Captain Renault to shut down Rick’s restaurant and he does because of gambling. Late at night, Ilsa visits Rick and asks him for the two letters of transit for her and Laszlo. She threatens him with a gun and eventually confesses her love for him. She reveals that she left Rick because she found out that Laszlo was alive in Paris. Renault tries to arrest Laszlo, but Rick pulls out a gun and helps them escape. When they arrive at the plane takeoff, Rick tells Ilsa to board with Laszlo instead of him. Strasser arrives and in order to protect Ilsa, Rick shoots him with his shotgun. Renault does not betray Rick and tells everyone that someone else shot Major Strasser. Together they walk away, starting a new friendship.

Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine

Rick owns a well-known restaurant in Casablanca. He is an American and is on the side against the Nazis, with the Allies, like Victor Laszlo. He is respected by all and pretends to have no opinion on the war. In a flashback to Paris, Rick is betrayed and heartbroken by Ilsa which affected his outlook on life. Acting out of selfishness, he refuses to give Ilsa and Laszlo the letters of transit. However, at the end of the movie, he sacrifices his relationship with Ilsa so Laszlo can continue his political work with Ilsa. Rick turns selfless, which results in him being left again.

Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund

Throughout most of the movie, Ilsa acts with her head. Her actions are logical, like her decision to leave Rick in Paris to help Laszlo escape. Only with Rick does she act with her heart. She contemplates leaving her husband, who she has been loyal to. Ilsa has suffered numerous misfortunes and the last scene shows that she might not be happy with Laszlo in the United States. At last, she leaves Casablanca without Rick.

Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo

Victor Laszlo is one of the leaders of the Resistance against Nazi Germany. He has been sent to a concentration camp and was known to be killed trying to escape. This leads to Ilsa cheating on him with Rick, which he explains to Ilsa later that he would understand if she slept with someone when she got lonely in Paris. He has been fighting for the Allies and is constantly trying not to get caught. Laszlo genuinely loves Isla, which is shown when a letter of transit is buyable, and he chooses not to leave without her. He wants to leave Europe to the United States to continue is political work in safety. He is incredibly selfless, wanting to help everyone who is anti-Nazi.

Claude Rains as Captain Renault

Captain Renault is selfish but kind to everyone. He helps either side of the war when money is involved and even bribes young women who want to leave Casablanca. When ordered by Major Strasser, Renault shuts down Rick’s restaurant for gambling when he receives his money for gambling himself. However, in the end, he does not betray Rick. He pretends someone else shot Major Strasser and leaves with Rick, starting a new friendship.