So what's the big deal with this movie?

[RoninFox]

Good luck Aram, but I think you'll find reading what we have to say here and listening to the riffers themselves that a lot of us share your opinion on this movie.

[mdemos]

Why is it so great?  Because with this film, hollywood actually captured lightning in a bottle.

What's almost more amazing, is the story behind the making of the movie.  The finished film, which ended up being scripted by a number of people, was literally written, then re-written, and re-written yet again,  up until the very last moments prior to filming.  By all accounts, this easily could have been the biggest flop of its time.  Instead, the gods smiled down, the heavens aligned, and Bogie, Bergman, Henreid, Rains, Dooley Wilson, and Director Michael Curtiz, made movie magic!

Let me put it another way; if after you watch this movie you still honestly feel the need to ask why it's so special, chances are you'll just never understand......   

[Darth Geek]

Let me put it another way; if after you watch this movie you still honestly feel the need to ask why it's so special, chances are you'll just never understand......   

[BEERxTaco]

Michael Curtiz directing on the set of Casablanca

[Darth Geek]

So Michael Cutiz is the inspiration for Chekov?

The behind the scenes info is interesting. Because when people say "they don't make movies like that anymore". Yes, Holly wood makes movies in exactly that process to this day. It's just the lightning doesn't hit the bottle anymore.

[MST3Kgirl]

I completely agree with you, why does THIS film get the label one of the best movies ever made?! It didn't seem super special to me...

[ScottotD]

I completely agree with you, why does THIS film get the label one of the best movies ever made?! It didn't seem super special to me...

The answer seems to be, because it is and if you don't get it you're some kind of idiot.

[CJones]

First off, I have to admit, I never actually tried this Rifftrax. I also have to admit that I generally have little patience for old B&W movies. As a general rule, I'm more into the special effects extravaganza type movies.

However, 10 or so years ago, I decided to rent this movie, soley for the purpose of being able to say I'd seen it. I fully expected to consider it boring and massively overrated. Very much to my surprise, I was dead wrong. I loved it.

I certainly don't fault anyone for not thinking this movie is all it's cracked up to be. However, there is something special about this movie. Even if I can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is that makes it so great, the fact that I, of all people, who rarely "appreciates" classics and doesn't generally care much for romances, thought it was great, means something.

Incidentally, I had a similar experience with Citizen Kane. Though, while I thought that movie was certainly good, I liked Casablanca far more.