Film Techniques In Michael Curtiz's Casablanca

Casablanca (1942) by Michael Curtiz is a story that is based on the classic Hollywood formula, which often involves a film noir flashback that steps outside of a linear sequence of events. At the beginning of the film, the story of World War II is presented by showing a map of the world in order to understand the fight between the Allies and Hitler’s forces throughout North Africa. A plane is shown flying over each location of Europe until it reaches the city of Casablanca in Morocco. This seemingly linear narrative remains stable, as the focus of the story centers on Rock’s Café and the suspicious characters that move about in his bar. Rick’s Café is tolerated by the local French police officials, such as Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) because Rick has a good reputation for being apolitical, yet this linear story pattern changes on the arrival of a mysterious couple.

In this scene, Rick is seen sitting at a table after the club has been closed. The shadows in the room are predominant with only the searchlight illuminating the room as it patrols the area outside (Curtiz 36:19). The camera begins with a close-up shot of Rick, but slowly pans backward to show the larger atmospheric qualities of the cavernous café. More so, Rick is framed by an archway in the background, which frames him in his white tuxedo. This aspect of film noir is a classic camera pan that sets up the scene in which Sam (Dooley Wilson) emerges from the shadows to offer help to Rick in his time of remorse and depression at having lost Ilsa. This camera work provides a magnificent atmospheric effect, which highlights Rick (in his white suit) with the massive shadows of the cafe that reflect his own depression and alcoholic tendencies in the contrast of light and