Casablanca
The story of Rick Blaine, a cynical world-weary ex-patriate who runs a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco during the early stages of WWII. Despite the pressure he constantly receives from the local authorities, Rick's cafe has become a kind of haven for refugees seeking to obtain illicit letters that will help them escape to America. But when Ilsa, a former lover of Rick's, and her husband, show up to his cafe one day, Rick faces a tough challenge which will bring up unforeseen complications, heartbreak and ultimately an excruciating decision to make.
Despite its shoestring budget of $878K, Casablanca became a commercial juggernaut, earning $10.5M worldwide—a remarkable 1092% return. The film's unique voice resonated with audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
3 Oscars. 18 wins & 12 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Casablanca (1942) demonstrates meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Michael Curtiz's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.8, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rick Blaine
Ilsa Lund
Victor Laszlo
Captain Louis Renault
Major Heinrich Strasser
Sam
Main Cast & Characters
Rick Blaine
Played by Humphrey Bogart
Cynical American expatriate who runs Rick's Café Américain in Casablanca, hiding his idealistic past behind a hardened exterior.
Ilsa Lund
Played by Ingrid Bergman
Rick's former lover who arrives in Casablanca with her husband, torn between love and duty.
Victor Laszlo
Played by Paul Henreid
Noble Czech Resistance leader seeking escape from Casablanca to continue fighting the Nazis.
Captain Louis Renault
Played by Claude Rains
Corrupt but charming Vichy French police captain who plays all sides for personal gain.
Major Heinrich Strasser
Played by Conrad Veidt
German SS officer pursuing Victor Laszlo, representing Nazi authority in Casablanca.
Sam
Played by Dooley Wilson
Rick's loyal pianist and friend who knows the history between Rick and Ilsa.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening montage establishes Casablanca as a crossroads for refugees desperately seeking exit visas to America. Rick's Café Américain is introduced as the center of intrigue, with Rick Blaine as the cynical, apolitical nightclub owner who "sticks his neck out for nobody.".. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Ugarte gives Rick the stolen Letters of Transit - documents that allow passage out of Casablanca with no questions asked. This introduces the MacGuffin that will drive the plot and force Rick back into the world of commitment and consequence.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Rick sits alone after hours and demands Sam play "As Time Goes By." He chooses to remember Paris, breaking his own rule. The flashback begins, showing us Rick and Ilsa's love affair and her mysterious abandonment of him. Rick crosses from willful amnesia into confronting his past., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (68% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ilsa's complete surrender to Rick represents the death of his last excuse for cynicism. Rick can no longer hide behind bitterness or victimhood. The death of his illusions: personal happiness is possible, but the world is burning, and greater things are at stake. His old self must die., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. The finale at the airport. Rick orchestrates the deception, convincing Ilsa she'll leave with him, then putting her on the plane with Laszlo. He shoots Major Strasser. Renault chooses sides, covering for Rick. "Here's looking at you, kid." The great renunciation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Casablanca's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Casablanca against these established plot points, we can identify how Michael Curtiz utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Casablanca within the drama genre.
Michael Curtiz's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Michael Curtiz films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Casablanca takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Michael Curtiz filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Michael Curtiz analyses, see The Egyptian, Mildred Pierce and White Christmas.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening montage establishes Casablanca as a crossroads for refugees desperately seeking exit visas to America. Rick's Café Américain is introduced as the center of intrigue, with Rick Blaine as the cynical, apolitical nightclub owner who "sticks his neck out for nobody."
Theme
Captain Renault tells Rick: "I stick my neck out for nobody" - and Rick echoes it. This establishes the film's thematic question: Is neutrality possible in the face of evil? Can one truly remain uninvolved when the world demands moral courage?
Worldbuilding
We meet the ensemble: Sam the piano player, Ugarte the black marketeer, Ferrari the competitor, Major Strasser the Nazi villain, and Captain Renault the corrupt French official. Rick is established as mysterious, wealthy, and deliberately isolated from politics despite having fought for the Loyalists in Spain.
Disruption
Ugarte gives Rick the stolen Letters of Transit - documents that allow passage out of Casablanca with no questions asked. This introduces the MacGuffin that will drive the plot and force Rick back into the world of commitment and consequence.
Resistance
Ugarte is arrested. Rick refuses to help him, maintaining his neutrality. Then Ilsa Lund walks into his café with Victor Laszlo, the Czech resistance leader. Rick is shaken. Sam tries to protect Rick, warning him away, but Rick cannot escape the past that's just walked through his door.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rick sits alone after hours and demands Sam play "As Time Goes By." He chooses to remember Paris, breaking his own rule. The flashback begins, showing us Rick and Ilsa's love affair and her mysterious abandonment of him. Rick crosses from willful amnesia into confronting his past.
Premise
The "romance in wartime Casablanca" premise unfolds. Ilsa and Rick engage in emotional chess. Laszlo attempts to secure exit visas. The love triangle deepens. Rick holds the Letters of Transit but won't commit to helping Laszlo. Ilsa is torn between duty to her husband and love for Rick.
Opposition
Major Strasser pressures Renault to prevent Laszlo from escaping. Laszlo is arrested then released. The walls close in. Rick's cynicism battles his emerging conscience. Ilsa confronts Rick with a gun, then breaks down, putting herself entirely in his hands: "You'll have to think for both of us."
Collapse
Ilsa's complete surrender to Rick represents the death of his last excuse for cynicism. Rick can no longer hide behind bitterness or victimhood. The death of his illusions: personal happiness is possible, but the world is burning, and greater things are at stake. His old self must die.
Crisis
Rick processes the weight of his choice. He has the woman he loves willing to abandon everything for him, but Laszlo's work is too important. Rick moves through his dark night, planning in silence. We don't yet know what he's decided.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale at the airport. Rick orchestrates the deception, convincing Ilsa she'll leave with him, then putting her on the plane with Laszlo. He shoots Major Strasser. Renault chooses sides, covering for Rick. "Here's looking at you, kid." The great renunciation.