 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Casablanca
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- NR
- Genre: Classic
- 1942
Common Sense Media says
Brief violence and lots of tension in top-notch classic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this iconic love story, with its heroic characters, rousing message, and beautiful black-and-white production values should appeal to teens, as well as adults. Younger viewers will get more out of the film with some historical context. There are two sequences during which characters are shot and killed. Police are seen rounding up frightened citizens and refugees. Characters drink (sometimes to excess) and smoke throughout.
What's the story?
Set in French-controlled Casablanca in the early part of WWII, CASABLANCA follows hardboiled American nightclub owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart), who agrees to hide some stolen (and highly coveted) transit letters, which are used to by refugees to leave the country and escape from the Nazis. Police Captain Renault (Claude Rains) and Nazi Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) are tipped off that Rick might have the letters, and they put the pressure on him. Strasser is also hunting escaped Czech resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), who arrives at Rick's with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman). Rick and Ilsa have a history, and Rick is still deeply angry at the stunning beauty. What ensues is a story of love, betrayal, sacrifice, narrow escapes, and the most memorable airport tarmac scene in film history.
Is it any good?
Probably the most famous Hollywood movie of all time, certainly the most quoted, and the most frequently cited as an all-time favorite, CASABLANCA won Best Picture, Director, and Writer awards at the 1943 Oscar ceremony. The definitive rebuttal to notions of the "auteur" (one author) in film, the romantic drama was put together in pieces by many different sources, with script pages completed just moments before the cameras rolled. The performances by Bogart and Bergman are so subtle and complex because the actors themselves had no idea how it was going to end.
Almost every frame of the movie is an icon, and it has been endlessly copied and parodied. The Woody Allen movie Play It Again, Sam (rated PG, but not for kids as the entire plot is about seduction) is an affectionate tribute to Casablanca and other Bogart movies.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes a movie stand the test of time. Is it the characters? The themes of good and evil? The unforgettable dialogue? Which contemporary movies do you think will last?
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AGE
One of the best films ever made. I mean, what's not to like? There's drama, romance, intrigue, action, humor, etc. The characters' stories are compelling, the script is brilliant and witty, and the actors bring it all to life. If you haven't seen this classic, go do so. Now!
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AGE
A little boring but still good
It's a classic, no doubt, but wait until your kids are older to watch it. It's not that bad, but the plot it complicated to understand a little ones might get bored. A lot of drinking and smoking, but its accurate for the time period.
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AGE
Great
Great movie, it's one of the classics!!!! i think anybody could see it, and if you see it in black and white, you can't really see the smoking!=.
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i see why it's a classic...
Bravo! This movie may be a little slow for kids, but the romance is there and carries the movie through the end. plus, its a fun way to show how movies used to be made..
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AGE
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 slow and confusing for most kids under 13.
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AGE
Complex but intelligent Best Picture winner
Hearing all the catchphrases from this single film for years now in 1 hour and 45 mins is pretty cool, or at least for a movie buff teen like me. I probably would've eventually seen this even if it hadn't won Best Picture because of its iconic status. It was very good, but complicated and hard to follow at times. "Casablanca" didn't need a sex scene, but longing looks and brief kisses to show love. That's how cinema's REALLY made. Great acting, great plot, great movie; Bogart steals the show.
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AGE
Best Movie Ever!
This is my favorite movie! smoking, drinking, and violence (as mentioned above) are present, but not an issue for older kids (CSI is a lot worse).
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AGE
One of the best movies ever created.
No concerns. Content wise, I think it'd be fine for most 8 year olds, but they probably wouldn't get the whole premise and backdrop of the film. Plus they might think that romance movies are boring. By the way, this is a romance movie, in case you haven't watched it. There is almost no actual action in the movie. Just in the beginning and end, and about 80% of the movie takes place in Rick's saloon/bar/thingy (it is called different things throughout the film). I don't remember any swearing (which was nice), there is quite a bit of kissing (but it's not the junk on movies today. The people actually do it because they love each other and they aren't high off of hormones), and no easily visible blood when there are the few shootings and a wound in the movie. Here's looking at you: have your kids play it again and again. It will be the start of a beautiful friendship between them and classic cinema.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Michael Curtiz |
| Cast: | Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid |
| Genre: | Classic |
| Run time: | 102 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 26, 1942 |
| DVD release date: | November 17, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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