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Casablanca

Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and set during World War II in Vichy-controlled Casablanca, Morocco.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and set during World War II in Vichy-controlled Casablanca, Morocco. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid, and follows a nightclub owner who must choose between personal love and helping a resistance leader escape the city. The film is widely regarded as a classic of Hollywood cinema.

Plot

The story follows Rick Blaine, who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, as he is drawn back into a relationship with Ilsa Lund while also helping Victor Laszlo, her husband and a resistance leader, escape the city. The drama turns on choices about love, loyalty, and sacrifice during wartime.

Cast

The film is best known for Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine, Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund, and Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo. Supporting roles include Peter Lorre as Ugarte.

Production and release

Casablanca was released in 1942 and is identified by Britannica and Wikipedia as a Warner Bros. film directed by Michael Curtiz. Rotten Tomatoes lists a wide theatrical release date of January 23, 1943 in the United States.

Reception and legacy

The film became a major classic and is especially remembered for its dialogue and emotional ending. Britannica describes it as a box-office hit and highlights its enduring fame for lines such as “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Key facts

  • The film is set in Casablanca during World War II, where refugees and officials move through the city under Vichy rule.
  • Its central character is Rick Blaine, an American expatriate who runs Rick’s Café Americain.
  • The plot focuses on Rick’s conflict between his love for Ilsa Lund and his decision to help her husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo.
  • It is known for memorable dialogue, including the line “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Frequently asked questions

What is Casablanca about?
It is about Rick Blaine, a nightclub owner in Casablanca during World War II, who must choose between rekindling a romance with Ilsa Lund and helping her husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo, escape the city.
Who starred in Casablanca?
The film stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid.
When was Casablanca released?
Casablanca is a 1942 film; Rotten Tomatoes lists a U.S. wide theatrical release date of January 23, 1943.
What is the famous line from Casablanca?
A widely cited line from the film is “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
Is Casablanca based on a true story?
No direct true story is identified in the sources; the film is described as being based on an original screenplay and the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casablanca_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, setting, and plot premise.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Casablanca-film-by-Curtiz
    Supports: Setting, box-office success, and the famous line 'Here’s looking at you, kid.'
  3. British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/61d5c0dc-151e-5c9c-92ef-4a3039aa82f2/casablanca
    Supports: Setting, synopsis, and significance of the film.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003707-casablanca
    Supports: Wide theatrical release date.
  5. Fandom — https://www.fandom.com/wiki/Casablanca
    Supports: Adaptation from the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's.