I was darn impressed when Warner Home Video sent me their Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition in 2008 – a beautiful set with tons of bonus features. So when they sent me their Casablanca 70th Anniversary 3-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD Combo Edition a couple weeks ago, I was super-impressed.
This amazing set includes 13 hours of bonus features, plus an hour of never-before-seen content and collectible memorabilia (pretty good for a 70-year-0ld movie), including a 60-page photo book, 1942 French Poster Reproduction, collectible drink coasters and more.
There are lots of reasons why Casablanca is such a classic film, but for me, it always goes back to the story of two lovers who’ve been kept apart and, apparently, will NEVER get together. It takes place during World War II in Casablanca, where Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in town. He’s cynical and a loner, which, of course, makes him all the more appealing.
When Nazi Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) arrives in Casablanca, Police Captain Renault (Claude Rains) does what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) . Much to Rick’s surprise, Lazslo arrives with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), Rick’s one time love.
Rick is very bitter towards Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using two letters of transit in Rick’s possession. But if you know anything about this movie, you know that every good plan has a flaw.
And here’s the great news: I’m giving away this awesome Casablanca 70th Anniversary Edition ($45 value) right here, right now, today!
TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, April 7, 2012, telling us why you think Casablanca is one of the greatest classic movies ever made. A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, April 8, and emailed for their mailing address.
Special Features:
- Commentary by Roger Ebert
- Commentary by Rudy Behlmer
- Introduction by Lauren Bacall
Two NEW Documentaries:
- Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You Never Heard Of
- Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic
- Three Feature-Length Documentaries:
- You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story [2008 Documentary]
- The Brothers Warner [2008 Documentary]
- Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul [1993 Documentary]
Additional Bonus Content:
- Now Voyager Theatrical Trailer-Warner Night at the Movies
- Newsreel-Warner Night at the Movies
- Vaudeville Days – Warner Night at the Movies
- The Bird Came C.O.D.-Warner Night at the Movies
- The Squawkin’ Hawk -Warner Night at the Movies
- The Dover Boys at Pimento University or The Rivals of Roquefort Hall
- Great Performances: Bacall on Bogart
- You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca
- As Time Goes By: The Children Remember
- Deleted Scenes
- Outtakes
- Who Holds Tomorrow?
- Carrotblanca – Vintage Cartoon
- Scoring Stage Sessions
- 4/26/43 Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater Radio Broadcast
- 11/19/47 Vox Pop Radio Broadcast
Of All the Gin Joints…
Ingrid Bergman: Close-Up Classic…
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