To set kids free from the stereotype that a black and white film is a "boring" film, have them watch Casablanca. I teach a class on media and worldview (for middle school students), and I love to introduce my students to classics such as Casablanca. Teaching them to appreciate landmarks in cinematography is important, and films like this serve as a perfect springboard.
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Casablanca
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Every kid should see this Bogart classic.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Casablanca
Parents need to know that kids may need some of the political and historical context explained to them, especially the meaning of the shot at the end, of the Vichy water in the garbage.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how some of the best-remembered lines of this movie indicate the casual corruption of Casablanca. What does it mean to say "We haven't quite decided if he committed suicide or died trying to escape" or "I'm shocked to find gambling going on in Casablanca" or "Round up the usual suspects"? What does Rick mean when he says "We'll always have Paris" and that they didn't have it until Ilsa came to Casablanca? How does knowing that she really loved him change the way he looks at the world? Was Ilsa right to stay with Laszlo in Paris? Was she right to leave with him to go to Lisbon? Why? What do you think Rick and Renault will do next?
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Our Members Say
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in IdahoI rate this title on for age 11 and give itThe Ultimate Cinema Classic!
- Lives in NebraskaI rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A Wonderful Cinematic Achievement
It's hard to imagine that CASABLANCA, the film that tops so many film lists and is so immortal, was seen as average when it was filmed. When it was released it surpassed all expectations, and it now lives in hearts and minds as a classic. Almost everyone knows everything about the plot, so I'll skip straight to the innapropriate content. Two men are shot (one at the beginning, one at the end) but it is very brief and non-graphic. There is no language. There are some kisses and it is implied that Captain Renault is exchanging exit visas for sex with female refugees (only passing, non-explicit reference). Rick is a self-proffesed drunkard and is seen drinking and smoking.
- Lives in ConnecticutI rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Not so interesting for younger teens
The movie is completely appropriate for any age content-wise. (Mild peril, anger, and kisses are as bad as it gets) but the story is too old and confusing for kids under 13.
- Lives in OhioI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- Lives inI rate this title on for age 11 and give it
a timeless classic
My partner and I watch this movie at least once every couple of years and enjoy it each time as well or better than the first time..even though there is drinking and Rick and Ilsa's relationship was one of those 'doomed' ones, it is a great love story and the historical value is priceless. I would encourage all kids to make this part of their library and our little girl who is seven, likes it a lot, even though she sleeps through most of it!
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