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…
Every time I see Casablanca, I discover something new, something I hadn’t noticed before- even after 20 or more (probably WAY more) viewings. No other film I’ve seen withstands the test of time and still holds some surprises
I just took my daughter to see this on the big screen. It holds up so well!
Bogart’s style!!
This is the only black and white movie that I would sit through. It is an unbelievable love story!
There such emotion in this movie. Each time I watch it, I still get caught up in the movie.
Love this movie, so many actors still can’t hold a candle to the passion in this movie!
I love the acting, characters and storyline.
I love the actors.
I think it’s great because of the good acting in it.
such classic lines in this flick
Casablanca is just an epic movie. You will never find something similar. Its a pity nowadays they feed us with some trash like Cowboys & Aliens.
One of Bogart’s finest performances, Casablanca will always be an American film classic because of the acting, writing, directing, editing…absolute excellence all around. 🙂 Thank you for this opportunity.
Casablanca goes against the grain – no happy Hollywood ending. The characters do the right thing and go on to pay the price. A classic!
I don’t know if i could say why it remains a classic…it just simply is! great story, great acting!
rypm25@aol.com
Its a classic love story but the depth of the other characters and feel of the city is what really makes it a wonderful movie…would love to see this anniversary disc.
Because Bogart and Bergman had electrifying chemistry and it’s a moving love story.
What ISN’T there to love about this movie? The story of love & loss – holding on when you know you should let go – letting go when you want to hold on …. it is seriously THE original chick flick! I watch it EVERY time it comes on TCM and it ALWAYS makes me cry!
It’s a classic film that never seems outdated.
This is my favorite movie of all time. Bogart is such a complete stud without all of the fluff and whatever else today’s stars think they need. The way the plot weaves in an out makes it one movie that I enjoy watching over and over again.
It’s a great movie because it has all the elements, great drama, great love, loss, redemption….love it!
Casablanca has it all – great story, outstanding actors, love and war. I enjoying watching it again every time.
You must remember this….
Casablanca turned me on so much as a child, I recorded the sound and listened to it at night as I slept. This could be the beginning of a wonderful friendship as my family and I share the movie.
So here’s a story: I’ve never watched Casablanca. I have WANTED to … badly, but I haven’t owned it, rented it, or gotten around to renting it. So, yes, I would LOVE to get this and win it and experience this movie that everyone here is raving so much about.
It is a classic because of the old fashion glamor in the characters wardrobe
vmkids3 at msn dot com
they don’t make ’em like they used to
It’s great because it draws you in and you want to watch it over and over.
I would share with my groom who is my best friend.
Great acting, timely and timeless story, this movie had it all.
it’s a classic for it’s great story line and acting
It is timeless and ageless and has one of the best catch phrases in the world as everyone knows Here’s looking at you kid.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
I love the acting.
the actors and theme are excellent!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Hard to pinpoint one reason why this movie is amongst the greatest. Just the fact that they do not make great classics like this passionate movie anymore.
Casablanca is just an epic movie.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
It’s a beautiful love story, a movie that you like watching again and again. Thanks for the contest!
I think Casablanca is one of the greatest classic movies ever made because the actors: Bogart, Bergman ,Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson are legends. The acting is superb. It has it all, of comedy, romance, and suspense. Casablanca’s great strength is the purity of its Golden Age Hollywoodness.
It is great because of the lead actors.
Casablanca is one of the greats because it’s timeless and because of the content of the movie in context to what was going on historically.
[…] another world for a little while.That’s why I was super excited when Laurie Emerson won the Casablanca 70th Anniversary Edition DVD Set. This thing is loaded with bonus features and extra stuff, and Laurie’s excitement came […]