the international, refugee atmosphere of tension, the performance that made Bogie a star because it was a quantum leap of a performance from his self-perpetuating WB ganster archetype. It was a revelation. Bergman's eyes studdying the face, always searching for the emotional truth ("Notorious" too) The elusiveness before the Nazis of Rick and Luis. Arguably the greatest script ever be doctored by half a dozen writers all the way through the shoot, which is a sign of trouble almost 100% of the time. there's more going on on the faces of Bogart and Bergman in this movie than goes on in the entire bodies of most modern movie stars

THE DVD
Ebert's commentary contains interesting historical info (why isn't this in a featurette?). Many entertaining tidbits and observations about the performances and the way the film was made -- camera, lighting, economic costume and set design from time of war when bugetary constraints. Fun observations about the film's silly little lapses in logic (transit papers signed by DuGalle would have been worthless in Vichy-controlled Casablanca), very insightful observations about the performances, especially Bergman's. and historical information about WB's WWII efforts from even before 1941. And complaints about Henried's performance - he's not just singing the film's praises for 2 hours. Letters of transit McGuffin, points out those problems, but shrugs them off at the same time. Good observations. ENJOYING the film, reveling in the film.

Film historian's clinical commentary has no spontinaity and too much triva ("A great deal of what follows is from studio records in the Warner archives") that is covered elsewhere in the bonus features. And who is this guy anyway? Nowhere are his credentials provided. But does provide background not provided elsewhere, like what was changed from the play (and it was a lot). intro by Bacall is overwriten, under-informative, soft-focused, cable-TV generic. Interviews with kids who basically go over everything we already know about the movie. Outtakes & two deleted scenes, all without sound, that aren't terribly interesting. Recordings of the scoring sessions. Lots of bonuses, but they don't ad up to much. 90m "Bacall on Bogart" is just a rehash of his roles. Finally gets interesting about 1/2 way thorugh, when Bacall gets more personal and becomes a vital part of his life. A 30m "tribute" featurette of heaping praise but packed with detailed history about the troubled production and its many writers. A 30m radio drama version with the orginal stars (so what?). One part of a terrible 1950s TV series remake (communists instead of Nazis). Looney Tunes spoof "Carrotblanca," but it's from 1985 - after Mel Blanc's death (the voices are poor mockeries) and long after the WB cartoons had lost their creativity ("you dinner-jacket-wearing varmint!"). A whole slew of studio memos relating to the film as it was being made.

Trailers.

SOUND & PICTURE
Absolutely gorgeous.
The soundtrack is has a crisp fullness and quality, but it's a tad scratchy - although with a movie this old that's sometimes part of the charm.

SPECS
1.33:1 ratio (16x9 enhanced)
DUBS: French
SUBS: English, French, Spanish

DVD RATING: ***
THE FILM: ****