Opened: November 26, 1942

Directed by: Michael Curitz

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Dooley Wilson & Peter Lorre

A timeless picture full of elegance, a compelling score and some of the best movie quotes, Casablanca holds its own as one of the greatest films of all-time.

Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) runs a neutral club where many refugees and their enemies convene during World War II. His morals are tested when his former lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) need his help.

Using flashback scenes to show the development of their relationship, it’s hard to deny the passion Bogart and Bergman share. Combine that with the stressful times of the war and it raises the stakes for viewers.

Casablanca probably resonated with audiences and critics because the time frame is set less than a year before it was released and while we were still in World War II.

Final say: An epic romance. ★★★★★