You'll Never Guess the 99%-Rated Classic Kurt Russell Calls a Perfect Movie: "Greatest Romantic Film"

Kurt Russell, renowned for his diverse career and work with some of the greatest directors, has unequivocally stated that, for him, the unrivaled masterpiece is the classic black-and-white melodrama created eight decades ago.

Kurt Russell Reveals That His Favorite Movie of All Time Is the Black-And-White Classic 'Casablanca'

For Kurt Russell, Casablanca is not just a romantic story, but also a profound statement about human nature:

“Casablanca is my favourite film. It's the most emotionally satisfying film ever made, and has the best dialogue in any movie ever. It's also the greatest romantic film.

I love it because it's about something, too. In my mind, the message is about people facing their moment of truth. We've all been there, or will be there in our real lives.”

Russell adds:

“By the way, the people starring in the best movie of all time are as good as it gets. The words they said have never been rivalled by any other film. You just can't improve on them. Any time I see Casablanca on TV, I'm stuck.”

What Is 'Casablanca' About?

The action takes place in 1941 in Casablanca, Morocco, a city that became a transit point for refugees fleeing the Nazi occupation of Europe.

At the center of the action is Rick's Café Américain, owned by Rick Blaine, a cynical and disillusioned American who tries to avoid politics and the problems of others.

Blaine's life is turned upside down when his former lover, Ilsa, arrives at his establishment with her husband, Victor Laszlo, the leader of the Czech resistance.

Even Eight Decades Later, 'Casablanca' Remains One of the Best Romantic Movies Ever Made

Originally conceived as a low-budget B-movie with modest ambitions, Casablanca has become synonymous with Hollywood excellence.

Its magic lies in its flawless combination of elements: it's a romantic drama about love lost and found, a tense political thriller, and a paragon of film noir, complete with smoky bars and shadows.

Casablanca's dialogue has long been broken down into quotable lines, and the chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman created one of the most poignant and compelling on-screen romances in film history.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Casablanca'?

• Casablanca has 99% from critics and 95% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.5/10.

• On Letterboxd, Casablanca scored 4.3/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Casablanca'?

Casablanca is available to stream on HBO Max.