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GWTW or Casablanca? or even A Streetcar Named Desire?

posted 9 years ago by monnyemano
5 replies | jump to latest

I watched Casablanca for the first time today (yes, I know, where have I been?) and while I enjoyed it, I didn't understand why it is considered such a pivotal and the "best" film ever made. It was beautiful and I liked it, don't get me wrong, but I personally think Gone with the Wind or even A Streetcar Named Desire are such better films, but of course that is my own opinion.

So I was wondering, which film do you like better or think is a better film? Or even is the best film ever made in the category of "old" or "Classic" films?

As this is the Casablanca message board, maybe I already know everybody's answer lol 😉

Seduce my mind and you can have my body,
find my soul and I'm yours forever.

[–] ePastor_Hardy 9 years ago

I think Casablanca is THE quintessential motion picture, bar none. Such memorable, quotable dialogue; sizzling performances from an amazing cast. Personally, I've never agreed with seeing any film but this one at #1. It's not my personal all-time favorite, technically. But I love it and just think it meets the criteria for such an accolade. (I haven't yet seen GWTW as an adult?procrastination, school, work. But I'll reassess it someday.) As for ASND, this is more often my type of film. I love that film as well and might even personally rank it higher. As far as Kazan goes though, I lean towards On the Waterfront, which is in my all-time Top 10.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] Dagwoodie 9 years ago

Casablanca isn't as ambitious as many of the films you listed, but it hits the right notes, time and time again. And it gets better with repeated viewings. I've been lucky enough to see it in public screenings in which the audience actually cheered at various times during the film. The melding and progression of events during the second night at the cafe are plotted and filmed brilliantly.

Giant is ridiculously overrated imo.

[–] kimasabe90035-1 9 years ago

CASABLANCA is the better movie, because it's about many things, that will always matter to human beings: selfless love, freedom, humanity, compassion, bravery and many more. No other movie has all these elements, plus a sense of humor too.

A zillion lines get quoted from CASABLANCA every day, by people all over the World. Who quotes more than 1-2 lines at best, from GWTW?

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 9 years ago

My favorite romantic films are Titanic, GWTW and Casablanca. It's a trifecta, a tripod of artistic brilliance, spanning decades. Casablanca has the strongest dialogue of the three. Titanic has the greatest use of composition and pacing. GWTW features two or three of the greatest characters you could ever put in front of a camera.