Propaganda And Politics

Most have heard Casablanca be referenced to as war propaganda (see The Art of Persuasion for more on political propaganda) or as a movie with a political purpose, and in retrospect, the movie did reach out to the political culture of America. There was an emotional impact that resonated with viewers back then and arguably still now. Casablanca was extremely influential and has earned a valued position in American film history. The film addressed America’s crucial intervention with foreign affairs in WWII by starting a movement that encouraged Americans to get involved in the suffering and oppression of the world. Furthermore, the film criticized America’s quiet stance in response to undemocratic behavior being exercised in the world. 

Just like the characters in Casablanca, Americans were trying to resolve their commitment issues about the war. While they might’ve been concerned about what was going on in Europe, the war was not on their doorsteps, so they were as Bogart famously says, “…They’re asleep in New York – I bet they’re asleep all over America.” That quote specifically elicited a reaction; in this way, Casablanca was like an alarm clock that woke up American’s fervor to stamp out the evil of a fascist dictator and intervene with some international wartime politics.  Learn more here. 

Casablanca was powerful because it inspired the American community into revealing unvoiced emotions and sentiments about the important controversy occurring at the time. This was achieved through the political transformation Americans underwent being mirrored through that of Rick’s. From indifferent businessman to social activist to political actor to freedom fighter for the cause of democratic ideals, the political lesson Rick learns was the same for many Americans.  (For a further look on the details of this transformation see this article by Michael Belding)

Casablanca is considered propaganda, but propaganda has many levels and many journalistic points of interest that Casablanca is not trapped in. Learn more about propaganda here.   Casablanca is a unique artifact of propaganda because it is not guilty of the typical deception that propaganda usually succumbs to. Why Casablanca is different from other propaganda