Casablanca (NR, 1942)
common sense media says
Brief violence and lots of tension in top-notch classic.
parents & educators say
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.
Positive role models:
In this film both the hero and heroine are characters of great nobility. They are honorable, choose to do the right thing, and, in the process, help defeat their Nazi enemies. They are unselfish, brave, and highly moral. An African-American entertainer is depicted as a close friend of the hero: the two have drinks together and are on equal footing.
Violence:
Opening sequence includes French police rounding up citizens and refugees for interrogation after the murder of a Nazi officer. People look frightened as uniformed officials accost them. One resistance fighter caught by the police makes a run for it and is shot, falls to the ground, lifeless. A second shoot-out results in the capture of another Moroccan resident, who dies later off-camera. In the final suspense sequence, a despicable Nazi military officer is shot and killed.
Sex:
Several romantic kisses are shared by a couple very much in love. Some dialogue implies that a high-ranking member of the police asks refugees for sexual favors in return for exit visas.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
The central setting for this story is a nightclub. Alcoholic beverages are poured and consumed continuously, with some characters showing signs of intoxication. The hero is seen alone in his home, nursing his heartbreak by getting very drunk. Smoking is pervasive throughout as was usual and acceptable in the early 1940s when the action takes place.
More on Casablanca
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
Ilsa
parent of and 7 , 10 , 13 year old
parent of and 7 , 10 , 13 year old
Probably the best movie Hollywood ever made!
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Poison Ivey
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
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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BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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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AceJournalist
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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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Sonia Montejano
adult
adult
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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AlphaZK93
adult
adult
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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mongofa
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Play it Sam
Humphrey Bogart blew me away! This movie is a classic and will remain so for years to come. There are also a lot of famous quotes. I think anyone under 12 would get bored, so it is best for teens
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StepMomSterToo
parent
parent
Here's Looking at You, Kid
Ok, so the movie is set in a bar, and for younger kids this would be an issue. There's really no over the top drinking involved. There are some scenes with a gun. I think this is a great love story and one without being gritty or oversexed.
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CSM Screen ...
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
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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ALGLTG09
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
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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moviemadness
adult
adult
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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The Big E
parent of 11 year old
parent of 11 year old
Simply The Best!
This is the absolute best movie ever made, and the film against which all others must be judged. Period. Not only is suitable for any age, but should be seen by everyone at some point in time. The characters in this movie are so real, both in regards to their foibles and their inherent courage and humanity, Furthermore, the tension in the film is real (though younger kids without a good knowledge of history my not understand this). Many of the roles in this film were filled with actors who had escaped the Nazi terror in Europe, and when they stand and sing La Marseillaise, you can tell they're not really acting, their emotion is real and born of personal experience.
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hiphoph
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Great movie.
A classic! I'm trying to see all old romantic classics, and this movie is really good. The bad thing about it is it's long and alot of the movie is in a bar. Besides that this is a movie everyone should see:)
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
parent of 15 year old
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.
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mauisurf71
educator
educator
The Ultimate Cinema Classic!
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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rivyuwer
adult
adult
Classic for a Reason
If this movie is explained before hand or played with subtitles, kids actually really enjoy it! I made two of my younger siblings (10 and 12) watch it on a rainy day on vacation and they were screaming with excitement during some of the twists. Very worthwhile film.
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dollface
adult
adult
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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historyteen
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
One of my favorite movies of all time
This movie is fantastic, with something for everyone. For instance, I'm not crazy about romance, but I love the historical part, as its in a period that's really interesting, and it's very historically accurate and it gets you involved and feeling for the characters, even though seventy years have gone by. My sister, on the other hand, doesn't like historical fiction and loves the movie because of the fantastic story, great humor and the fact that she likes romantic storylines.
I would recommend it for all ages, but I think that most kids under age ten would neither understand or care about the historical background nor like the romantic part, which is admittedly a very large part. However, from a quality point of view, I would recommend this movie to anyone.
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