Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman light up the screen in this tautly directed and endlessly quotable World War II romantic thriller.

In neutral Casablanca, cynical, embittered, and self-absorbed American expat Rick (Bogart) wants only to profit from the war, willingly serving both Allied sympathizers and Nazi officers in his popular cafe. Rick’s isolationism is tested when Ilsa (Bergman), an old flame, shows up seeking Rick’s help in saving her husband Victor, a formidable resistance fighter, from the Nazis by getting him out of the country.

Should Rick sacrifice Victor for a chance to reunite with the woman he loves? Or should he help Ilsa and her husband escape together in the interest of the greater good?

A highly topical film, Casablanca was released at the height of World War II and takes its anti-fascist politics seriously. It is also one of the most superbly crafted films of all time, regularly showing up on best-of lists. Perfectly cast, beautifully photographed, and sharply edited, Casablanca remains exemplary of the kind of high-quality films made by Hollywood’s during its vaunted studio era.