Casablanca by Mia Ince https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm Comparative Study en-us 2018-04-16 10:23:37 UTC 2025-12-22 04:01:17 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Pictureland.png Ilsa 17overtonemily https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/210334758 assertive character - confident
manipulative and enigmatic- "you need to think for the both of us"- shifts responsibility onto Rick.

]]> 2017-11-27 11:13:25 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/210334758 Rick 17overtonemily https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/210336217 Appears selfish and cynical "I stick my neck out for no one"- makes people believe he doesnt care. 
Has very masculine traits 

]]> 2017-11-27 11:19:20 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/210336217 Paris Scene 17overtonemily https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/210340937 Costume
Rick- wears a flower, different persona which wouldn't fit with cynical and jaded Rick from the bar. He contrasts between the black suit in Paris and the White suit back in Casablanca, which represent the two sides of Ricks personality.
Rick and Ilsa are always positioned in a two-shot in the centre which makes the audience focused on their relationship. 
Lighting in Paris is naturalistic compared to the low-key, high contrasted scenes back in Casablanca, this makes it have a more cheerful atmosphere. 

]]> 2017-11-27 11:37:53 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/210340937 Casablanca 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/252068830 1842 - Michael Curtiz, USA

Hollywood at the peak odf the studio era.

Star vehicle - Bogart and Begman.
An Enduring classic
Classical Hollywood narrative and style.
Ideology - propaganda - Rick personifies US foreign policy.

Recurrent motifs -  use of music ‘ ‘As Time Goes BY’ – entire score based on this song appears in key moments to remind the viewer of Rick and Iisa’s love – creates nostalgia.]]> 2018-04-16 10:28:01 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/252068830 Political Context 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253850463 Casablanca takes place on the four days leading up to the Japanese attack on the US Military base at Pearl Harbour on the 7th December 1941.

The event led directly to USA entry into WWII.

Rick represents US foreign policy, from isolationist to intervention.

The film reinforces the USA’s support for the allied war effect.
]]> 2018-04-20 14:34:07 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253850463 Institutional 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253850760 Warner Bros was one of the ‘big five’ studios; they controlled production, distribution and exhibition of their films.

During the 1940’s, Warner Bros were known for tough detective thrillers (film noirs) and melodramas.
]]> 2018-04-20 14:34:43 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253850760 Closing Scene 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253851250 Rick’s selfless sacrifice for the greater cause

Captures Americas perception of itself in the 1940’s – cynical yet altruistic

Lots of smoke and expressionistic lighting heightens romance and sense of loss

(Also the cardboard cut out of the plane) :)
]]> 2018-04-20 14:35:45 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253851250 Cinematography 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253852715 The searchlight illuminates at random  - it is used in key moments in the film, casting light and shadow as Rick sits in despair after a chance meeting with Ilsa.

The noir lighting conveys the mood of the war, Rick is shown inhalf-light, representing his split self.

Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) was shot mainly from the left side using a gauze filter and soft lighting to make her eyes sparkle and convey a sadness and tenderness.
]]> 2018-04-20 14:38:26 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253852715 Mise-En-Scene 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253853021 The exotic locations lend the film a glamour and romance. Paris evokes romance and nostalgia with Rick and Ilsa.

Their intimate world in Paris is interrupted when the Germans occupy France.

The final sequence in the airport hangar were shot on the studio lot -  a cardboard cut of the aeroplane was used in the background.

The use of miniatures in the background with key characters in the foreground creates a forced perspective.
]]> 2018-04-20 14:39:03 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253853021 Editing 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253853270 The film adheres to the rules of classical Hollywood continuity editing. The editing appears seamless and invisible throughout.

The opening montage is typical of the classical use of montage as exposition. 

Most shots disolve into each other
]]> 2018-04-20 14:39:28 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253853270 Sound 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253853526 ‘it had to be you’ is a key motif throughout the film  -Composer Max Steiner created an entire score based on this popular Broadway song. It is used at key points to remind us of Rick and Ilsa’s love. 

The orchestral score dominates the Paris scene flashback.

Max Steiner, am iconic composer at Warners, was known for melodramatic scores that closely followed the action and heightened emotion.
]]> 2018-04-20 14:40:01 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253853526 Aesthetics of the Film 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253854370 Visual style and influences:

The aesthetics depict a sense of romantic longing – smoky bars, exotic locations, the foggy runway and wartime costume all contribute to the film’s classic look.

The film combines the aesthetics of film noir, expressionism, melodrama and documentary

Warner’s tight budget policy was reflected in the aesthetics of their films – low-key lighting and fog were often used to disguise cheap sets – as evident in the final scene with the aircraft hangar.
]]> 2018-04-20 14:41:55 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253854370 Reviews 16incemia https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253860451 1: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-casablanca-1942 
2: http://www.empireonline.com/movies/casablanca-2/review/

1: 'Humphrey Bogart played strong heroic leads in his career, but he was usually better as the disappointed, wounded, resentful hero' - Known for these types of characters, new start?

1: ' No one making “Casablanca” thought they were making a great movie. It was simply another Warner Bros.' - Didn't expect the outcome it got.

1: 'The black-and-white cinematography has not aged as color would.' - Better than a colour version of the film?
]]> 2018-04-20 14:54:48 UTC https://padlet.com/16incemia/HollywoodAmericanFilm/wish/253860451