The film is historically rather accurate in portraying events of that time. It takes place in December 1941 and has two themes: the refugee's plight and a somewhat convoluted love triangle. The interplay of these themes produced what is widely regarded as 'one of the best films of all times'. It won Academy and Golden Globe awards. The screenwriting was brilliant, especially in the quips uttered by the debonair Rick (Humphrey Bogart). He was sarcastic, worldly, devil-may-care, and a lover. Many quotes from the film are well-known to Casablanca buffs, but the phase 'play it again, Sam' was never said yet is often misquoted. 

And then there was Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa, Rick's lost love. She was beautiful and brilliant in her role. Lastly, it's fun to look at the production problems when the film was being made in the wartime economy of 1942. Screenwriters didn't always agree, the producers had different ideas of the film's ending, and it was rumored that the writing was just weeks ahead of production. Also of interest, Ronald Reagan was first cast as Rick, but of course, that didn't work out. We will explore the vagaries of Casablanca and then watch the film afterward.