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Film Techniques In Michael Curtiz's Casablanca

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Casablanca (1942) by Michael Curtiz is a story that is based on the classic Hollywood formula, which often involves a film noir flashback that steps outside of a linear sequence of events. At the beginning of the film, the story of World War II is presented by showing a map of the world in order to understand the fight between the Allies and Hitler’s forces throughout North Africa. A plane is shown flying over each location of Europe until it reaches the city of Casablanca in Morocco. This seemingly linear narrative remains stable, as the focus of the story centers on Rock’s Café and the suspicious characters that move about in his bar. Rick’s Café is tolerated by the local French police officials, such as Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) because Rick has a good reputation for being apolitical, yet this linear story pattern changes on the arrival of a mysterious couple. …show more content…

In this scene, Rick is seen sitting at a table after the club has been closed. The shadows in the room are predominant with only the searchlight illuminating the room as it patrols the area outside (Curtiz 36:19). The camera begins with a close-up shot of Rick, but slowly pans backward to show the larger atmospheric qualities of the cavernous café. More so, Rick is framed by an archway in the background, which frames him in his white tuxedo. This aspect of film noir is a classic camera pan that sets up the scene in which Sam (Dooley Wilson) emerges from the shadows to offer help to Rick in his time of remorse and depression at having lost Ilsa. This camera work provides a magnificent atmospheric effect, which highlights Rick (in his white suit) with the massive shadows of the cafe that reflect his own depression and alcoholic tendencies in the contrast of light and

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The intriguing world of Casablanca, displays a wondrous mise-en-scene in fashion that accentuates emotions and feeling through aspects of cinematography. From the movement of the camera, to the intricacy of the shot distances chosen to be included within the frame, the film reveals important elements of the diegesis without uttering a sound. The cinematography of Casablanca gives the audience an insight into the intimacy of Rick and Ilsa's relationship, and seeks to situate the viewer’s attention to the space and time of the film. Throughout the film, Rick’s romantic relationship, or rather previous relationship, with Ilsa appears to be a focal point of the film.

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These different lighting techniques are applied in the movie to help set the tone and mood for the film scene. The

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Camera Movement in Casablanca (ESSAY #3) (A-) It’s important to watch Casablanca while thinking about the context in which it was released. After the United States entered World War II, it was a little over a year before audiences saw Casablanca. It doesn’t take much investigation to see how the war plays a part in the storytelling, but certain film techniques helped emphasize messages the film wanted to tell its audience. Through the use of camera movement, the finale of Casablanca puts the spotlight on Strasser and Rick’s newfound relationship, which can convey a message about the United States and its allies.

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In the end, in the brightness of the hanger, Rick and the French official are forced to abandon the shadows and their neutrality to pick a side. They let Isla and Lazlo leave, kill Major Strasser, and walk into the foggy darkness, neutrality abandoned, committed to freedom. The cinematography in Casablanca is critical in directing the audience’s attention, shaping the audiences feelings, and revealing the theme of the movie. Ultimately, the movie helped America abandon its neutrality, join the Allies and defeat

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Michael Curtiz’s Casablanca (1942) is a film based in WWII around different nations involvement in the war. Casablanca is a stylistic piece of propaganda based in Casablanca, Morocco, a hotspot for Europeans escaping the war and Nazi government. Within the movie each character represents a nations stand in the war. Because of this each character is compromised in certain ways and has clear flaws. Ilsa Lund, the main female character in the film is renowned for being extremely manipulative and overly emotional because of the way women were seen in this era.

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