Casablanca's Depiction of War

The film Casablanca centers on an American man by the name of Rick Blaine who flees a German-occupied France during World War II to a city in Morocco by the name of Casablanca. (Casablanca, 1942) This city is a territory of France at the time and is out of full German jurisdiction due to this status. (Casablanca, 1942) Many citizens of German-occupied countries in Europe sought refuge here due to the lack of control Germany had on other countries’ territories early in the war. The general intent of refugees in Casablanca was to flee to even further countries such as The United States of America, which they could not achieve in their home, occupied countries. As the film’s plot develops, the viewer is introduced to refugees very important to the freedom-fighting movement France, and we learn that Rick originated in New York, U.S.A.

Casablanca was directed in an era almost entirely dedicated to propaganda, as far as the film industry is concerned. The movie promoted America and the Allies similar to most films of the time, but it did so in a much different manner. The story told in Casablanca follows the main character, Rick, through his personal affairs and love tango with another lead character, Ilsa Lund. The film begins with Rick alone running his saloon based in Casablanca, in which he seems very indifferent to other people’s affairs, and comes off as very exclusive. He is delivered letters of transit by a man named Ugarte, which are nearly priceless to any refugee desiring to flee to the United States or another unoccupied country. Rick continues to act disinterested, reluctantly agreeing to hide the documents. He holds onto them even after Ugarte is killed for having stolen the letters, although there did not seem to be an...

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..., Laszlo needs Rick’s help to achieve his goals, portraying Americans as a valuable, needed ally.

The film’s depiction of the war was very distant, as there are no portrayals of battle or direct war conflict. There are a select few instances, however, where individuals are shot either by police or Rick. Rick shot a German leader for the greater good, implying that killing the enemy was okay for a greater cause. Laszlo, representing the Allies, was willing to do almost anything for his cause. Rick did not seem to fear death either, as displayed when he was held at gunpoint by Ilsa. The German’s were very oppressive and intolerant, becoming very upset by the citizens of Casablanca simply singing a national song. (Casablanca, 1942) Very little violence was depicted, and it in no way glorified killing anyone aside from the oppressive Germans, and did so only slightly