Comments on: Cinema’s greatest scene: ‘Casablanca’ and ‘La Marseillaise’

By: Derek Miller

Derek Miller — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 00:25:35 +0000

A fantastic film, made in 1942 under the oppression of evil. It is unquestionably the most moving and important film ever made. the actual scene shows the power of the human spirit to not be enslaved by Hitler’s lackeys and his disgusting ideas. I weep every time on that scene and feel deep exhilaration and the recognition of sheer courage and bravery.Derek

By: Ole R. Holsti

Ole R. Holsti — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 02:22:03 +0000

Lovely commentary on the greatest movie ever. Many thanks.
Ole R. Holsti

By: John Fuller

John Fuller — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 23:28:40 +0000

Mega Ditto’s! I am in total agreement and I have been thinking similarly for years. This was absolutely the best and most compelling movie scene ever made. Congrats!
Cordially,
John Fuller

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 01:55:43 +0000

This was so well written. Just watched Casablanca for the very first time today, and this incredible scene hasn’t left my mind. Just thinking about it makes me well up with tears… Yvonne’s face is just, wow. Thank you.

By: Roudaki

Roudaki — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 07:29:22 +0000

Just a reminder that art is not for cowards.

And look at us now.

I am too ashamed about present to worry about future.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 06:09:17 +0000

I don’t see the point of the label “greatest scene ever”. The media and popular culture is too obsessed with “best”, “greatest”, “biggest”, “funniest”.

It’s a lazy way of morphing what is clearly your favorite into a fact. Of course it’s not possible to measure the “greatest scene ever” as we do the fastest Olympic sprinter ever. Personal taste is not a scientific unit of measurement, regardless of the film-theory analysis applied.

A different title and description that elevates the worth of the scene is needed. “Greatest” is irritating and reminds me of faith-based descriptions of one’s religious God. “The greatest, end of story”. No, it’s not the end of the story by a long shot.

By: Gary Robinson

Gary Robinson — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 01:45:44 +0000

Really wonderful write-up. Thank you so much.

By: Rick Thomas

Rick Thomas — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:15:15 +0000

It’s worth noting that the last line of the anthem, just before “Vive la France” and the cut to the seated Germans, translates roughly as “an impure blood [our enemies’] will flow in the furrows of our fields”.

By: dbeard

dbeard — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 23:30:48 +0000

thank you for your commentary. I love this movie. there is just something about this movie that moves me. I think you nailed it. thanks. I never truly appreciated the weight of this scene as i will from now on.

By: Joe LeMonnier

Joe LeMonnier — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 14:19:01 +0000

In 1937, Jean Renoir’s “The Grand Illusion” featured a similar scene , set in a WW1 POW prison.
In this film, the prisoners are doing a burlesque number in drag. When news arrives of a French victory via smuggled newspaper, the band stokes up “La Marseillaise”, the performers remove their wigs and the lead the chorus while still in drag.
The transition is so quick and stark that no tears are necessary.

Michael Curtis must have have had this scene in mind.