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Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant both previous releases were sourced from a pretty impressive 4K remaster, this new 80th Anniversary Edition utilizes an even newer 4K The peerless supporting cast also earns hearty praise and adds immense color and texture to the action. Without Claude Rains (who nearly steals the film with his sardonic wit), Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Conrad Veidt, S.Z. Sakall, Dooley Wilson, and a host of other accomplished players, Casablanca would sacrifice a sizable portion of its entertainment value. All create memorable characters and maximize their limited screen time.
Related article: The Masters of Cinema Archives: The Hollywood Insider Pays Tribute to ‘La Vie En Rose’, Exclusive Interview with Director Olivier Dahan
The cast of ‘Casablanca’ is immediately striking for three reasons: the star power of the leads, the synergy of the supporting players, and the fact that most of these actors are not American. Documentary: "You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca"(SD, 35 minutes) - This1992 documentary narrated by Lauren Bacall chronicles every aspect of the film's production - the evolution of the screenplay, the use of "As Time Goes By," casting, censorship issues, and the eleventh hour creation of the film's ending. Screenwriters Julius Epstein and Howard Koch, original playwright Murray Burnett, historians Rudy Behlmer and Ronald Haver, composer Henry Mancini, and Bergman's daughter Pia Lindstrom, among others, offer wonderful insights and anecdotes.
First things first today: The Criterion Collection has just announced their April Blu-ray and 4K release slate and—as always—it’s another great list of titles. Great films start with great scripts, and Casablanca is no exception. The screenplay is sheer perfection. The old adage about too many cooks spoiling the broth doesn't apply here, as at least half a dozen writers made notable contributions, but twin brothers Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch got the credit and took home the well-deserved Oscar. As mentioned earlier, the new 4K master created for this 80th Anniversary Edition differs from the 4K master used for Warner Bros.' 70th not Casablanca's original camera negative, which unfortunately no longer exists despite a long and exhaustive search. Two
3. ... As is the supporting cast
Editor’s Note: When Casablanca first appeared on HD disc in 2007, our late friend and Classic Coming Attractions columnist Barrie Maxwell wrote a lengthy review here on The Digital Bits—one that, I believe, deserves to stand as our take for all time. Barrie’s enthusiasm shines through in every word, and I can’t think of a film that’s more deserving of it. So after my brief summary of the plot, you’ll find Barrie’s thoughts and I hope you enjoy them. And I’ll return afterwards to offer my own comments specific to Warner's new 4K Ultra HD release.] CASABLANCA In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Casablanca, Warner Bros. has released the film on 4K UHD. Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Chris Evans Role From 1997 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant Casablanca’s clearest theme is that neutrality – whether in war or in love – is difficult to maintain. The cast of ‘Casablanca’ is mostly of European extraction, no doubt meaningfully at a time when Europe was being torn apart by several fascist regimes. Even if taken as a propaganda piece (which ‘Casablanca’ certainly is , to an extent), one can’t help but notice not only how seamlessly the actors work together, but how these actors’ real-life experiences inspired a genuine urgency in the film’s plot, as well as its thesis. Who Wrote This, Anyway?
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