Movies and TV Is Casablanca a "War" Movie

Amnorix · 04-08-2009, 08:05 AM

In the thread regarding favorite war movies, we've had a minor disagreement over whether Casablanca is properly categorized as a war movie. We all recognize, of course, that Casablanca is set during wartime, and that the main protagonists etc. are carrying out their activities because of the war.

In any event -- a simple and silly poll -- would you call Casablanca a "war" movie or not.

keg in kc · 04-08-2009, 08:08 AM

It's impossible for me to answer that question without a more solid definition of what a "war movie" is.

Amnorix · 04-08-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It's impossible for me to answer that question without a more solid definition of what a "war movie" is.

That's kind of the question to begin with -- what do you think of when someone says "war movie"< and whether Casablance fits in that definition.

Or are you just pulling a Bill Clinton on me?

jidar · 04-08-2009, 08:13 AM

Yeah. I think the perception is that it's just a romance, but it's clearly a war movie as well. Hell, how could it not be a war movie when the motivations of nearly ever character are directly influenced by the war.

Katipan · 04-08-2009, 08:13 AM

It's a chick flick that dudes can watch.

jidar · 04-08-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

That's kind of the question to begin with -- what do you think of when someone says "war movie"< and whether Casablance fits in that definition.

Or are you just pulling a Bill Clinton on me?

Hrm... well when you put it that way. I honestly don't immediately think of Cassablanca when someone asks me to name great war movies. So I guess maybe it's not really?

InChiefsHeaven · 04-08-2009, 08:14 AM

I'd have to say no. It took place in war time, and had references and such, but there was no fighting, no bombs. You gotta have soldiers fighting and bombs in order for it to be called a war movie, don't you? I'm trying to think of another example...how about A League of their own?

jidar · 04-08-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

I'd have to say no. It took place in war time, and had references and such, but there was no fighting, no bombs. You gotta have soldiers fighting and bombs in order for it to be called a war movie, don't you? I'm trying to think of another example...how about A League of their own?

There was fighting, plenty of it.

ziggysocki · 04-08-2009, 08:17 AM

no. I don't remember anyone storming a beach, clearing a tunnel, getting sniped in the street or holding a dying buddy. Definitely not a war movie. Just a chick flick set in wartime.

jidar · 04-08-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggysocki

no. I don't remember anyone storming a beach, clearing a tunnel, getting sniped in the street or holding a dying buddy. Definitely not a war movie. Just a chick flick set in wartime.

Yeah but they had Nazis shooting people and shit? I mean Schindlers list is a war movie.

Amnorix · 04-08-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

There was fighting, plenty of it.

There was SHOOTING, not fighting.

There's more shots fired in the one scene of Godfather when Sonny gets mowed down than in the entire movie.

And only one guy wearing a uniform gets shot -- Strasser at the end.

Amnorix · 04-08-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

Yeah but they had Nazis shooting people and shit? I mean Schindlers list is a war movie.

I'd agree on Schindler's List being a war movie.

keg in kc · 04-08-2009, 08:23 AM

It's more of a romance than a war movie, I think, but 'war movie' can cover such a wide swath of films it's hard to say. I mean, shit, you have movies with Abbot and Costello and the Three Stooges in the army. There should probably be sub-genre classifications.

bdeg · 04-08-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

Yeah. I think the perception is that it's just a romance, but it's clearly a war movie as well. Hell, how could it not be a war movie when the motivations of nearly ever character are directly influenced by the war.

So what, it's a drama rooted in war. That does not make it an action-packed, violent war movie. A war movie involves lots of combat.

ziggysocki · 04-08-2009, 08:25 AM

Schindlers List is a holocaust movie. Another set in wartime, but the concentration camps/persecution of the Jews were really the central theme. Same with Casablanca war was huge influence on the charachters and plot, but it was not a movie about "fighting a war"

View Poll Results: Is Casablanca a war movie?
Yes	7	18.92%
No	30	81.08%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll

04-08-2009, 08:05 AM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Is Casablanca a "War" Movie In the thread regarding favorite war movies, we've had a minor disagreement over whether Casablanca is properly categorized as a war movie. We all recognize, of course, that Casablanca is set during wartime, and that the main protagonists etc. are carrying out their activities because of the war. In any event -- a simple and silly poll -- would you call Casablanca a "war" movie or not.
Posts: 43,125

04-08-2009, 08:08 AM	#2
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	It's impossible for me to answer that question without a more solid definition of what a "war movie" is.
Posts: 58,682

04-08-2009, 08:13 AM	#4
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	Yeah. I think the perception is that it's just a romance, but it's clearly a war movie as well. Hell, how could it not be a war movie when the motivations of nearly ever character are directly influenced by the war.
Posts: 5,502

04-08-2009, 08:13 AM	#5
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $2770351	It's a chick flick that dudes can watch. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 22,623

04-08-2009, 08:14 AM	#7
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3904937	I'd have to say no. It took place in war time, and had references and such, but there was no fighting, no bombs. You gotta have soldiers fighting and bombs in order for it to be called a war movie, don't you? I'm trying to think of another example...how about A League of their own? __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
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04-08-2009, 08:17 AM	#9
ziggysocki mmm sweet lemonade Join Date: Oct 2008 Casino cash: $10005000	no. I don't remember anyone storming a beach, clearing a tunnel, getting sniped in the street or holding a dying buddy. Definitely not a war movie. Just a chick flick set in wartime.
Posts: 1,582

04-08-2009, 08:23 AM	#13
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	It's more of a romance than a war movie, I think, but 'war movie' can cover such a wide swath of films it's hard to say. I mean, shit, you have movies with Abbot and Costello and the Three Stooges in the army. There should probably be sub-genre classifications.
Posts: 58,682

04-08-2009, 08:25 AM	#15
ziggysocki mmm sweet lemonade Join Date: Oct 2008 Casino cash: $10005000	Schindlers List is a holocaust movie. Another set in wartime, but the concentration camps/persecution of the Jews were really the central theme. Same with Casablanca war was huge influence on the charachters and plot, but it was not a movie about "fighting a war"
Posts: 1,582