In only three days, the cinematic marvel Casablanca returns to more than 700 nationwide movie theaters. Rated the #3 greatest film by the American Film Institute, movie lovers have a truly unique opportunity to experience this classic achievement the way it should be, on the big screen, only on Sunday, November 12, and Wednesday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time, where ever that may be).
Once again, Fathom Entertainment and Turner Classic Movies team up to bring movie-goers a classic film that deserves to be seen in a darkened theater surrounded by a bunch of strangers. As expected for a Fathom Event, this limited engagement special event includes exclusive commentary before and after the film from Turner Classic Movie's host Ben Mankiewicz. Tickets and movie locations can be found now at FathomEvents.com.
Although production on the film began before the US had entered the war in Europe, the film was released during what was for most of the world the height of World War II. Casablanca depicts the struggle and backroom dealings many Europeans of the time faced trying to flee the waring continent for America through Morocco. Indeed, it was the hope of the filmmakers to sway public opinion into reconsidering America's neutral stance. As it turned out, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor did that for them.
In the film, Rick's Café Américain is the backdrop for most of the events that take place in Casablanca. The main hero (yes, there are more than one) Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) reunites with his lost love Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). She may or may not still be in love with Rick, but she has sworn to help her husband, resistance fighter Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) escape Nazi-dominated Europe. But with Rick back in the picture, and old sparks being rekindled it's hard to say what the lady will ultimately do. And then there are the subplots, and characters, and murder. There's so much going for this film, if you haven't seen it already, I don't know what's stopping you. No doubt it will be one of your most entertaining movie-going experiences of the year.