Mise En Scene Casablanca

Ryan Skura

Professor Hanson

Film Appreciation

26 September, 2014

Mise en Scene Casablanca

Casablanca is a movie that takes place in the city of Casablanca during World War Two.

One of main characters, Rick, owns a very popular nightclub. Everything is going decent for Rick, until his ex girlfriend, Ilsa shows up at his club with a fugitive named Lazlo. Rick possesses two letters of transit that Lazlo wants, so him and Ilsa, who we learn is his wife, can run away to America together. This movie is a great love story, and it is put together very well. One reason that this movie turned out to be so great is its use of Mise en Scene throughout the whole film.

The first example of Mise en Scene I am going to discuss takes place after Ilsa leaves Rick's club. Rick is sitting alone, drinking, in a dark shadowy room which suggests dark emotions. Rick continues to drink, and soon falls into a flash back of him and Ilsa in Paris. In Paris, Rick and Ilsa are driving around in a convertible enjoying being young. This scene is much lighter, with Ilsa appearing even a little lighter than Rick, which shows off her beauty. Ilsa and Rick are wearing nice, clean clothing, and are leaning in towards each other symbolizing that they are in love. Their hair is blowing in the wind, as if they do not have a worry in the world. However, this mood towards Rick soon changes when she learns that her husband is alive and that she must meet up with him other than running away with rick. This is symbolized by her grey clothing and by taking the highlight off of her that was shown while driving in the car. The flash back soon ends, and is back with Rick drinking in his dark room.

To me, the lighthouse was a great example of Mise en Scene. It is used to remind the people of Casablanca that everybody is being watched, and that their safety is only an illusion. The lighthouse first appears when Captain Renault tells Major Strasser that thief of the transit letters will be found inside of Ricks nightclub. This shows a connection between the light and the governments power. However, that connection is made stronger when you realize that the only place that the light is ever shown shining is Ricks club, where he should have most of the power, but considering