MovieChat Forums > Casablanca (1943) Discussion > Casablanca or Citizen Kane?

Casablanca or Citizen Kane?


Thoughts?

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Casablanca, hands down.

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I liked them both, and have seen them several times.

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I’m going with Casablanca for 3 key reasons:

1. I’ve seen it twice; only seen Citizen Kane once (liked it, but once was enough, until nothing else is on).

2. I like romances. And it’s nice that Casablanca ends on a grey note. Not sad ending, but it wasn’t a fairy tale either.

And 3...Bogart. Haven’t seen him in too many movies (African Queen, Big Sleep), but his acting and character is more to my liking.

They’re both the greatest at what they are: Casablanca is a romance and Kane is a biography. But both do what art does, and that is to depict the deepest human truths, those truths that lie in our feelings that are hardest for humans to express.

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And 3...Bogart. Haven’t seen him in too many movies (African Queen, Big Sleep), but his acting and character is more to my liking.


I think part of it is that Bogart's character in Casablanca is a much better and more likable person than Charles Foster Kane. Bogart is a protagonist you can root for. But yeah also I generally like Bogart in anything.

Man, I think I'm due for a rewatch of Casablanca now.

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Casablanca. I like both, but Casablanca is the better of the two IMO.

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Casablanca, it's far more iconic than Citizen Kane.

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"Casablanca". Both are superb films and deeply involving, but I identify more with Rich, and want to be like him. I AM like Rick in some important respects, and want to be more like him! I mean, CFK is fascinating, but not particularly admirable, dig deep into his heart and all you find is self-pity.

Well, Rick dug deep into his heart and much to his surprise he found courage and self-sacrifice and the ability to get over his self-pity! That's what's awesome about him and what makes "Casablanca" to marvelous to watch, and FYI I've been through something similar over the last 20 years, and now that there's a pandemic on, I've got to step it up, and be more like Rick.Come to think of it, I should watch "Casablanca" again soon.

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i can watch Casablanca many, many times.

Citizen Kane i saw once. and that was enough..
i admire and respect it as art but the story and characters are MEH.

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Well put!

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For rewatchable value alone, Casablanca.

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