Thanks for the review. I greatly enjoyed this film and I have seen it many times.In fact, this was one of the best propoganda films that America produced during WWII.When I was in high school, in history class, while studying the use of propoganda, we had to disect this film scene by scene with all the symbolism present in the film. Of course, back then, we didn't have internet or anything so we had to find as many as possible and the one's that were able to find the most, got the highest grade.. It was a group collaboration and I must say, it was hard to find each and everything in the film since there were so many hidden messages in not only the characters but also in the lighting and the background..
That's an awesome story! Did you get an A?
But if you notice carefully, the chess pieces, Rick Blaine is alone in front of the board and analyzing a difficult position in terms of black, while the convention in chess publications always considers analysing the diagram from the white position. The position that is seen is called "the French Defence"! Rick Blaine is a character apparently ambiguous or neutral - I stick my neck out for nobody. - but it's the chessboard that begins to outline his complex personality. The fact that Rick Blaine appears analyzing the position (not playing), and seated on the defender's side (Black), are key elements for deciphering the true and hidden intentions of Rick Blaine.
thats insane. is it confirmed they were all done on purpose?
Between 1942 and 1945, Hollywood released 1,700 features, 500 of which dealt directly with war-related material. The U.S. government took an active role in the screening (and of course the censorship) of these films through its Office of War Information, and went as far as creating a production rubric which the studios were compelled to follow. This rubric included a “suggested” list of six feature film themes which would “benefit American morale.” Washington suggested producing films that would: glorify the “American way of life;” “depict the enemy and their philosophy;” “reflect well on our allies;” “portray the industrial war effort at home;” “illustrate what individuals could do on the home front to support the war effort,” and show “our fighting forces at work.”3 As intended, the films produced under these guidelines (Casablanca included) not only provided the masses with popular entertainment but also reinforced the nation’s support for the Allied war effort.
Thanks tripplej, that's great info. I ordered this yesterday after seeing David's review. I've seen it once before, many years ago, but didn't realize the depth of detail and symbolism it contained. I'll have to read up some more on it as there's obviously a lot there to chew on and digest. I've got a movie night with a niece and nephew (early-mid 20s) scheduled for this Saturday and set this as the pick. Really making me look forward more to researching and then seeing it.
From one of the earlier links that I pasted above... Short answer. Yes.
Regardless of the origins, the movie is a great movie to own and watch, never gets old.
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