Casablanca...worth the blind buy?

[jadedeath]

Depends on your tastes.

If you like the majority of cheesy popcorn stupidity that Hollywood puts out now just to make a buck... then no, don't buy it.

If you like movies that have exceptional plot, character development, direction, lighting, acting, cinematography, etc. Then yes, pick it up.

Logan

[pro-bassoonist]

I'd recommend that you get The Third Man as well. They are often cited together. And while you are at it pick up David Lean's Great Expectations as well (region-free):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Expect...7945555&sr=1-5

Pro-B

[eChopper]

funny you mention Lean's Great Expectations . I was watching the Uk blu ray last night

I dont know, i still think movies like Jumper and Meet Dave are better than the boring crap like Lean and Casablanca

[Midnightsailor]

Originally Posted by eChopper

funny you mention Lean's Great Expectations . I was watching the Uk blu ray last night

I dont know, i still think movies like Jumper and Meet Dave are better than the boring crap like Lean and Casablanca

lol

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by andyman1970

If you don't pick this one up you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.

Yes, if your into classic films it's worth the blind buy.

hehehe How long did you think before coming up with that reply?

In short Casablanca is a true classic of movie history, Bogart is just amazing in it. The set however look's a little expensive for a blind buy, it's up too you but you might want to see it first before buying this set. But if you are a movie collector then yes of course, buy it right away.

[Afrobean]

I considered blind buying this too, but the price is just really high for that sort of thing-- and this is coming from a fella who regularly makes blind buys of new releases at Best Buy. Have there been any announcements about lesser releases? Like, say, a single disc with minimal special extras?

I'm sure I could turn up a DVD to check out before buying, but I really like being able to take the plunge and commit to it myself, you know? I dunno... it just feels like cheating to check it out before I buy it.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Too expensive for a blind buy IMO.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Too expensive for a blind buy IMO.

+1. when it goes on sale or drops in price ill definitely buy it, or if a set with just the blurays are released without the fancy packaging, book, etc.

[borninusa]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

Depends on your tastes.

If you like the majority of cheesy popcorn stupidity that Hollywood puts out now just to make a buck... then no, don't buy it.

If you like movies that have exceptional plot, character development, direction, lighting, acting, cinematography, etc. Then yes, pick it up.

Logan

That says it all imo

[koreyman]

It is well worth the blind buy a masterpieace of cinema

[masoud90]

Casablanca is UP THERE with the best American films ever made following Citizen Kane, The Godfather and wullahhh Casablanca...This is based on AFI's top 100 films...so it must be good, no?
It's one of my favorite movies. The character development is just phenomenal.

[Tadji Malik]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

Depends on your tastes.

If you like the majority of cheesy popcorn stupidity that Hollywood puts out now just to make a buck... then no, don't buy it.

Logan

Every week, just to please friends, I show modern movies. They're not always bad, but I get tired of 'Transformers 2: Sell the Toys' and 'Jumper Meets Dave Meets the Flintstones'. So, I pull out 'Casablanca' and 'The Third Man' at least once a year for everyone.

They both get better on multiple viewings.

However, I should note, I never pull out the extra materials except for a cartoon or film short. That being said, 'Casablanca' is worth a blind buy. All that extra stuff? Not so much.

Personally I'll going to upgrade my 'The Third Man' disc and wait for a cheaper 'Casablanca'.

I'll recommend the same unless you love extras. Either way make sure you see it twice, sometime in your life.

As for modern movies? Wait on those. If 'The Love Guru' is around in 50 years it'll be worth a watch. Otherwise, let time save you time and money .

[flyboy66]

If you like classic movies then yes....I would go rent it first right now and see how you like it. Persoanlly I think its the third greatest American film of all time behind Citizen Kane and The Godfather.

[JimShaw]

Audio is only Dolby Digital 1.0

I don't purchase any Blu when the audio has been short changed. Especially when the price is around $45.00

[BLUE MYSTIC RAIN]

I don't want all those extras either .
You'll laugh but i'd rather have extras for movies like
Friday the 13th
Halloween
Sixteen Candles
Grease
but that's just me .

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by BLUE MYSTIC RAIN

I don't want all those extras either .
You'll laugh but i'd rather have extras for movies like
Friday the 13th
Halloween
Sixteen Candles
Grease
but that's just me .

The only one on your list I would want extras for is Grease. I will take any Casablanca extras they can throw at me.

[Variable]

`I'm trying to keep up with classic blu releases to really expaned my collection and horizons so I'm planning to get this day one. It seems like the type of thing where even if you don't love the movie, owning it is worth it on several levels.

[indianajdp]

Originally Posted by fdm

One of the best films ever. But... wait for a less pricey option. Shouldn't have to be paying over 20 bucks, much less twice that. (Kinda holding the blu-ray folks hostage; sticking with my red copy.)

[Edit: Pretty irritating how Warner just loves to milk these things over and over and over... Hope it's their biggest flop.]

This is the key for me.

I absolutely LOVE this film. But I have little interest in a huge set like this, when all I truly want is the film on blu-ray. I'll gladly wait for a scaled down release or look for a nice steal on the 'bay.

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

Audio is only Dolby Digital 1.0

I don't purchase any Blu when the audio has been short changed. Especially when the price is around $45.00

What do you mean with "short changed"? As far as I know Casablanca audiotrack have NEVER been released on other format than in the original Mono, either on Betamax, VHS, LD, DVD or HDDVD .
I am sure the Blu-ray will include the same audio than the HD-DVD, that's it DD 1.0 at 640 kbps, pretty much what this movie needs IMO.

Besides do you really think that this 1943 dialogue-driven movie could get any real benefit from a phony 5.1 remix? I largely prefer the original mono mix cleaned-up.
This ain't Transfomers for god sake! Not every movie has to be presented on 5.1 or 7.1

Casablanca is a day one buy for me.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Octavio

What do you mean with "short changed"? As far as I know Casablanca audiotrack have NEVER been released on other format than in the original Mono, either on Betamax, VHS, LD, DVD or HDDVD .
I am sure the Blu-ray will include the same audio than the HD-DVD, that's it DD 1.0 at 640 kbps, pretty much what this movie needs IMO.

Besides do you really think that this 1943 dialogue-driven movie could get any real benefit from a phony 5.1 remix? I largely prefer the original mono mix cleaned-up.
This ain't Transfomers for god sake! Not every movie has to be presented on 5.1 or 7.1

Casablanca is a day one buy for me.

big +1. this type of movie was not made for 5.1 and should be preserved in its original audio format anyways. not every movie should automatically get a 5.1/7.1 treatment, but if they do, the studio should do something like they did with superman I (included both the new 5.1 mix and the original dolby stereo mix on the disc). for this, it's already a big step up to have uncompressed mono. pretty damn good if you ask me.