Casablanca and To Have and Have Not: Hollywood during World War II Released just two years apart, Casablanca (1942) and To Have and Have Not (1944) share obvious story lines: a cynical American (played by Humphrey Bogart in both films) living in an occupied French colony during World War II ends up aiding the resistance movement. Being released at either ends of the war, the overall tones of the films, however, are quite different; and this difference is most conspicuous in the endings. Casablanca (Curtiz 95:30-99:30), released a year after Pearl Harbor, ends with Rick (Bogart) sacrificing a chance to be with the love of his life, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), before shooting the German Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) and walking away with Captain …show more content…
Night club settings figure prominently in both films. Unlike the shadowy Rick’s in Casablanca, the bar, which doubles as the front for the resistance, of To Have and Have Not is brightly lit. The conventional high key lighting of the final scene as Harry and Marie leave the bar is more in line with conventional Hollywood comedies of the 1930s than a gritty wartime drama. This is in contrast to the previous scene where Morgan shoots one police officer, takes two more prisoner and beats them. The lighting of that scene, like much of the movie, is balanced and unremarkable with the background clearly visible and a few shadows present on the actors’ faces. As Harry and Marie leave the bar, the scene brightens up making the ending unambiguously happy. Casablanca, in contrast, relies heavily on low key lighting. It’s more reminiscent of later, post-war film noir--with heavy shadows present on the actors and background--than the comedies and musicals of the 1930s. The ending takes place not at Rick’s--he is forced to sell is club--but outside of an airport at night. As Rick gives is iconic “We’ll always have Paris” speech the shadow of brim of his hat falls over his eyes; it’s clear Rick and Ilsa are not going to have a bright, happy ending. The runway is covered by a thick fog leaving most of the background obscured. For Rick, and Europe in 1942, the …show more content…
Both films feature a well known musician (Dooley Wilson and Hoagy Carmichael) in prominent roles. Both films also use music to bolster the narrative. The most obvious example is in Casablanca (Curtiz 72:40-73:50) during the “Duel of the Songs” scene. After Laszlo overhears the German officers singing “Horst Wessel Lied” he convinces the band to play “La Marseillaise,” resulting in the refugees singing along and eventually silencing the Germans. In the final scene of the film, as Rick watches Ilsa fly away, their song, “As Time Goes By” begins to play. This version, however, is more down tempo and slower than the one played by Wilson. This sadder version underscores the unhappiness of Rick and Ilsa. Conversely, in the final scene of To Have and Have Not when Marie says goodbye Cricket (Carmichael), he asks her if she’s happy. She says, “What do you think?” and he plays an upbeat song as Harry and a smiling Marie walk off into the night. True to Hollywood conventions, the music of the films reinforce the emotional situation of the
Children laughing showing the happiness that is supposed to occur in youth. Even the lack of sound in the movie theatre gives you the impression of contentedness as the crowd watches a film. All these sounds add emotional depth to the scene that cinematography
1. The film Casablanca was released during World War II in 1942. Some have argued that some of the themes and plot points of the film can be read as propaganda. Do you agree or disagree? Does Casablanca have a political message?
Casablanca, a Romantic Propaganda Introduction Casablanca is one the classic Hollywood movie which is one of the most critically acclaimed Hollywood movies of all time and also very famous. Casablanca is a romance story that happens during World War II but the question is does it end there? Is Casablanca just a Romance movie? In this essay, I will be discussing how the movie Casablanca which is one of the most famous and critically acclaimed films of all time is a propaganda movie and what message is sending and the effects that propaganda movies make and why it’s important for governments.
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.
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
“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.” These are the words spoken by Rick Blaine as he drinks himself into a slight stupor to cope with the grand entrance of the beautiful, yet mysterious Ilsa Lund. These two mentioned above are former lovers and the two main characters of the 1942 film Casablanca. Why Rick speaks these words with despair is because of Ilsa Lund, whose archetype is common in most if not all noir movies. This archetype is known as the femme fatale which literally translates to, fatal woman.
Narrative is generally accepted as possessing two components: the story presented and the process of its telling. A story can be presented in two basic ways, as a linear narrative and as a non-linear narrative. Linear narratives follow a straight line and non-linear narratives usually start at in the middle or in the height of conflict. Casablanca and Memento are two films which contrast in narrative approaches.
There are only two instruments used in the few scenes that have music, piano is used during the sad and to make the audience feel the anxiety felt by the character. An example of this is after Gilbert snaps and beats Arnie, then he drives away in his truck away from Endora with only this music playing. On the other hand, whenever there is a scene full of happiness a guitar plays. This usually happens whenever Gilbert and Arnie are having brotherly bonding or when there is a love scene between Gilbert and Becky. But the most compelling and used element is this movie is the lack of music.
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.
Casablanca has educated me more about love and the sacrifices you make for the person you love. When Rick, a man who is in love and jubilant with Ilsa Lund, Rick is in Paris was waiting for Ilsa at the train station when she never shows up. After this happens Rick does not go back to the buoyant lover, he was when he was in Paris with Ilsa. However, he does conquer his bitterness and indifference to become a charitable idealist, and developed into devoted to helping the allied cause in World War II.
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.
Anderson is known for his use of obscure songs using Alexandre Desplat as the curator of the soundtracks for the majority of his films. With the majority of the songs used being orchestral period establishing songs, along with the occasional upbeat 1960's French song, or David Bowie cover. Soundtrack is an important feature of the film as it shows what the characters are listening to. After Sam and Suzy had run away they stopped in the forest to share what they had brought with them, with Suzy pulling out her vintage record player, and Francois Hardy album 'The yeh yeh girl from Paris' saying that that was her favourite album. Suzy's record collection also includes various Benjamin Britten scores portraying the balance between English tradition
The 1986 movie Top Gun, directed by renowned director Tony Scott, is a movie made particularly memorable due to its outstanding cast, amazing visuals, and action-based storyline. The movie stars acclaimed actor Tom Cruise, who plays the role of wildcard pilot Maverick, and Kelly McGillis who plays the role of Maverick 's instructor and love interest Charlie. The film centres on happy-go-lucky pilot Maverick (Tom Cruise) as he attempts to acquire the highly coveted "Top Gun" award at a US Navy fighter pilot school in California with his best friend and co-pilot Goose (Anthony Edwards). Moreover, Maverick begins to form a romantic relationship with his instructor Charlie ( Kelly McGillis).
This creates a contrast with the darker and lighter parts of the scene, and creates the subject of the scene to be hidden in the shadows. This lighting technique is perfect for a gangster film such as the Godfather. Francis Ford Coppola’s has made apt use of lighting in this scene. In this scene, almost all the frames are low lit, especially the scenes where Don Corleone’s eyes are darkened.
Introduction Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is arguably one of the most well known films that many can admit to watching at least once in their lifetime. People all around the world have found this musical inspiring, as it documents growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. This incredibly well written film is based on the story of the Von Trapp family who escaped Austria when the Nazis invaded it during the war. Part of what made this movie so interesting on so many different accounts was the music that accompanied the vivid and exciting scenes. Without music, many could agree that our world would be a sad, quiet, dull and depressing place.