“Casablanca” is a timeless romantic drama set in the titular Moroccan city during World War II, where cynical American expatriate Rick Blaine, owner of a popular nightclub, is forced to confront his past when his former lover, Ilsa Lund, arrives with her fugitive husband, Victor Laszlo, a Czech Resistance leader. Torn between his rekindled love for Ilsa and his moral obligation to support her and Victor’s cause, Rick makes a selfless sacrifice, allowing them to escape to continue their fight against the Nazis.
“Cassablanca” was included in the library because of the classic and timeless character of the film. The film masterfully blends romance, intrigue, and wartime tension, exploring themes of love, duty, and sacrifice, and is remembered for its iconic dialogue and enduring emotional impact.