"La Marseillaise", though played throughout the movie, stood out to me when it is played in "Rick's" as the soldiers do their Nazi anthem, and other people in the cafe join in with Laszlo in overcoming them. This was extremely powerful and significant I believe in setting the mood of Casablanca and in "Rick's" as it becomes dramatic and darker when Strasser orders the cafe to be shut down. This song is played throughout the movie signifying freedom and brotherhood, overpowering the negative and dark connotations to the Natzi anthem.
The second song that the movie also is told around is, "As Time Goes By". This song is a symbol of the love between Rick and Ilsa. We first hear it in "Rick's" when we are introduced to Ilsa and start to learn who she is as a character. She asks Sam to play it and his response is quite hesitant but once he does, Ilsa begins to get emotional. Sam plays this song throughout the movie at the request of both Ilsa and Rick. Sam is resistant upon both requests in order to prevent both from hurting but the song itself represents their past love in Paris and when she doesn't show up at the train, but also a possible rebirth of their love in Casablanca.
Many aspects in this film make it easy to give it the title of the "greatest film of all time" but due to the relationships that are created with the music and the significance in them make it clear as to why. On top of that there are many aspects to be discussed on what make it such a great film, from quotes, direction and cinematography. The impact that this movie brings to people is what will keep it around for generations to come. Why do you think its a great film? Was the film intended to be build around these two songs?
I definitely agree that the music in Casablanca played a huge part in the emotional scenes of the films, whether they were emotions of pride and in brotherhood as the National Anthem brought about, or as a love song between Ilsa and Rick. I don't necessarily think the film was designed around these songs as a whole- perhaps their themes, or the emotions they brought about, as that is what makes the film timeless. No amount of years will change how an audience reacts to a love song or to an anthem that helps the underdogs triumph because these themes and emotions will always be relatable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that the music in the film enhances relationships to a whole other level. I don't think the film was built around these two songs but instead, the songs worked around the film because there are so many songs that can relate to the many films in Casablanca. Although, I think these songs fit perfectly for the film, I also believe they are easily replaceable.
ReplyDeleteI like that you didn't only focus on "As Time Goes By" and that you made comments on how the French national anthem was able to overpower the Nazi's anthem. I also liked how you said that those two songs could tell the tale of the movie by themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that music did play a big part in the relationship between Rick and Ilsa. I liked how you said their song "As Time Goes By" is looked at as their past love in Paris where she never showed up to the train station, but you also said it is also a symbol of a possible rebirth of their love in Casablanca.
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