Released in 1942, as world tension was peaking through the uncertainty behind World War II's outcome, "Casablanca" managed to capture the feeling of the times while fully incorporating a plot entwined with the war's recent developments. Along with France, Germany by this time had managed to conquer Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Greece, and Yugoslavia while reaching out to subdue the Soviet Union through its blitz campaign of Europe. The fall of France in 1940 to Nazi Germany and the consequential establishment of the Vichy France government set up refugee trails leading down to Casablanca and then to Lisbon where passage to war-free America laid a possibility. Until the end of 1941, the United States had remained officially neutral with the evolving conflict that was radically displacing stability in Europe. Despite the growing German war machine, American isolationism was still widely embraced by many Americans unwilling to become involved in another war which had pointlessly claimed millions of lives in the Great War (WWI). It would take the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 to reverse the opinions of many Americans as the United States entered into the war against Germany, Italy, and Japan. Now, the once prevalent feelings of isolationism were slowly diminishing, giving way to the rise of vigor as America assumed its role in assisting victimized Europe. As the United States had finally been drawn into what many Americans had considered a European war by the start of 1942, "Casablanca" touches upon America's shifting stance away from isolationism and towards the restoration of world stability, free from fascism.
The fall of France plays a critical role in developing a setting for which change becomes inevitable as reflected not only in the plot of the movie but also in the instability of France after its defeat in 1940. On June 22, 1940 France officially surrendered to Germany, and its aftermath led to disunity amongst the French empire through the formation of the Vichy government. With the head of state being Marshall Phillippe Pétain, a heralded hero who won the Battle of the Verdun in World War I, the Vichy France was none-the-less ambiguously received. Whereas some heralded Pétain to be the savior of France, many French nationals felt betrayed through his reign because the Vichy France government served as nothing more than a mere puppet government to Nazi Germany. This is reflected in the beginning scene of the round up of suspects for the courier killings in Casablanca as one of the suspects, who we find out supports the "Free France" movement, flees the Vichy police on discovery of his outdated papers. He is then slain at the wall where a mural portrays Phillippe Pétain as an apathetic character to the murder which had just occurred and had been undertaken by enforcement officials of the Vichy government. The quotation next to Pétain's mural adds to the distrust of the Vichy government by stating (when loosely translated), "I hold my promises. Same as I do the promises of others." Whereas the mural attempts to promote an honest image, it is only to be shredded apart by this injustice to this government's own people. In this one scene alone, the instability of France reflects a betrayal of a government against its own citizens. Consequently, by utilizing France as a nation divided "Casablanca" provides a distinct thematic setting by dividing those who conformed to accept the German occupation of Europe and those who resisted it.
The characters themselves play a most intricate role by reflecting a historical stance in their political positions and purposes in the movie. Just as Germany is noted by its domineering stance as a conqueror and regulator, Major Heinrich Strasser clearly parallels this through his orders which enact German will within Casablanca. When civil unrest is brought about at Rick's casino through the French national anthem's playing over the German national anthem, Major Strasser puts down the incitement by ordering Captain Renault to close Rick's place just as Germany would crack down upon civil unrest in its occupying cities. Captain Renault himself represents the Vichy France government. Indifferent, yet compliant to German occupation, he greets Major Strasser by stating "...an occupied France welcomes you." Renault also follows through by enforcing German will throughout Casablanca as shown through the round up to find the killers of the German couriers and the closing of Rick's casino. Even Italy is portrayed, though in a mocking fashion to reflect world opinion. At Major Strasser's arrival, the Italian officer is intentionally ignored and is taken aside by another official who doesn't let him speak throughout the movie. As Renault later jokes: "If he gets a word in, it'll be a major Italian victory." Taken in context, one must understand that throughout World War II Italy, under Mussolini was perceived to be a fumbling ally of Germany and was more likely to be taken more lightly than Germany. On October 28, 1940 Italy invaded Greece only to be repelled by November 14. In September 1940 Italy had also invaded Egypt, yet by December 1940 the British were already pushing Italy out of Egypt. In both instances, Germany came about and assisted its ally by conquering Greece in April 1941 and pushing the British out of Egypt by May 1941 and eventually taking full control over the conquest of Africa off of Italian hands. This example of the Italian officer is effectively used to reinforce the idea that the movie's characters represent their countries. By fixing characters to represent their native countries as reflected in each of these examples, "Casablanca" focuses on the historical standpoints and opinions of the time through the actions and feelings of the characters in the movie.
Establishing this fact remains crucial in understanding, in particular, Rick (Richard). It becomes clearly evident when we first meet Rick that he appears to be very isolated, unwilling to become personally involved in affairs which are beyond his range of business. As the waiter of his casino says to a customer, "Madame, he never drinks with customers. Never. I've never seen it." In his casino, Rick goes about his own business refusing to take sides as demonstrated in his apathy and lack of assistance for a man being arrested who had previously entrusted him the letters of transit signed by DeGaulle. Even when being introduced to Major Strasser, Captain Renault states that, "Rick is completely neutral about everything." Throughout the movie Rick was notably seen as a man who had the power to free refugees by finding exit visas just as America's involvement and influence in European affairs could have prevented the German assault on the many nations of Europe. Yet in both cases, neither Rick nor the United States had assisted those who had been victimized by war because of their isolationistic policies of neutrality. To this end, Rick also reaffirms this isolationistic ideal by self-proclaiming multiple times throughout the movie, "I stick my neck out for nobody." By adding in his American background as his national identity, it is conclusive that Rick represents the United States and its policy of isolationism in the beginning of World War II.
Rick's connection with Victor and Ilsa Laszlo can also be based on a broadly conveyed historical standpoint. His ties with the Norwegian Ilsa Laszlo are favorable based on their past relationship in Paris. Growing up in Oslo, Norway Ilsa says that she was inspired by and grew to love Victor because of what he stood for. Rick also conveys a sense of admiration for Victor Laszlo which Captain Renault notices at the first mention of Victor's name. Victor had been sent to a concentration camp because he had openly spoken against German occupation in Prague, Czechoslovakia. What Victor and Ilsa therefore both had in common laid in the concept that Czechoslovakia and Norway had fallen victim to the German onslaught in March 1939 and June 1940 respectively. They therefore represented the occupied nations of Europe and the resistance groups within fighting against German occupation. Ultimately, Rick therefore accommodates both characters on positive terms unlike those surrounding Major Strasser, who upon introduction interrogates Rick in order to assert his authority. Rick's favoritism is reaffirmed by Captain Renault's suspicion as he states, "...my dear Ricky, I suspect that under that cynical shell you're at heart a sentimentalist." This too was true in the case of America prior and during the first years of World War II, which despite maintaining official neutrality, made many possible efforts to assist those resisting fascism. The Lincoln brigade, made up of American volunteers, fought in 1936 through 1939 on the loyalist side against the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. As well, Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the Lend-Lease Act in March 1941 which allowed the president to be able to sell, transfer, exchange, or lend equipment to any country to help it defend against the Axis powers. Therefore by immediately refusing to directly intervene and assist either of the Laszlos, Rick reenacts the American isolationistic position of remaining neutral despite upholding a sense of favoritism with each of the occupied nations now under German control.
Taking into perspective of the time period remains critical in understanding why the movie might have focused persistently on the theme of isolationism. This is clearly obvious as the Blue Parrot's Ferrari advises Rick, "My dear Rick, when will you realize that in this world today isolationism is no longer a practical policy." "Casablanca," having been produced in 1941-42 lived to see the radical change in American hearts from isolationism to direct military involvement into the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. In the movie, Rick manages to include this time period through a random question to Sam amid his depression, "Sam, its December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?" By reiterating this particular time period in history, we are to understand that the movie would soon focus on the end of Rick's isolationistic policies which in turn paralleled America's own end to isolationism during the same historical time period. Indeed this belief is put about in the movie as Rick intervenes into the Laszlo situation through his love for Ilsa. By actively taking a position against the German influence in Casablanca, Rick sacrificially manages to get the Laszlows on board the plane bound for Lisbon. From a historical standpoint, this clearly reflects America's decision to actively enter into the war and rescind its neutrality under isolationism.
Yet in keeping to the spirit of ending American isolationism, "Casablanca" pushes one step forward by using the movie to also emphasize that America's involvement in the war would be a just decision. By capitalizing on the perseverance of nationalism still residing within the citizens of occupied nations, "Casablanca" portrays the occupied nations as victims of German conquest. As Victor is introduced to Major Strasser, Victor defiantly reaffirms his nationality by saying, "I'm sure you'll excuse me if I'm not gracious, but you see Major Strasser, I am Czechoslovakian." After Major Stasser reminds Victor that he is now a German subject, Victor continues to undermine Major Strasser's authority by strongly declaring, "I've never accepted that privilege." The German occupation is also resisted through the scene in the casino where German soldiers are proudly singing their national anthem only to be cut off and dominated by the overwhelming chanting of the French national anthem. In a strong display of emotion Yvonne, Ricks girlfriend, ends the scene by shouting "Vive le France!" (Long live France) through her tears. Both of these examples illustrate how the movie attempts to emphasize the occupied nations' strong will to be free, liberated from German occupation. In doing so, these small acts of defiance both humanizes the citizens of the conquered nations and ultimately implies their reliance on an Allied success in order to once again be free.
When looking at "Casablanca" from a historical standpoint, it is not difficult to clearly see why isolationism's end would remain a recurrent theme. For America, the short transition period from a strictly isolationist policy to a foreign policy of Total War occurred over the time span of a day in December. By using any means to help convince a nation that isolationism was long dead, adding pro-involvement attitudes to a movie was more than just desirable, it was patriotic. Therefore, many references to America's new role in the world situation litter the plot of "Casablanca." In perhaps an accusation directed more at the audience than towards Rick, Ilsa dramatically accuses that, "With so much at stake all you can think about is your own feelings. One woman has hurt you, you'll take your revenge on the rest of the world." Yes, while Rick may serve as the target of her blame in the story plot, Ilsa's accusation can also serve a different meaning when pointed at those who at the time continue to stubbornly support isolationist ideology. "Casablanca" therefore concentrates heavily on American isolationism and its end through the portrayal of Rick because of America's shifting stance towards war involvement. Even as "the world is crumbling" (according to Ilsa) in 1942, "Casablanca" manages to capture and promote the American sentiment of staying committed to the moral cause as an uncertain future lays ahead in an engulfing world conflict. Once more America is called to duty to bring about world stability, and once more Americans must rally support at home if they plan to stay committed.
Dreams of a dreamer from afar to a fardreamer.
Not satisfied.![[http://www.incognitoflag.com/imgs/boom.jpg]](http://www.incognitoflag.com/imgs/boom.jpg "http://www.incognitoflag.com/imgs/boom.jpg")
