Difference between Casablanca and Gone with the Wind
When the subject of classic old films comes up, two particular examples often make it to the top of people’s lists: ‘Casablanca’ and ‘Gone with the Wind’. The two are widely considered to be high watermarks in American cinema, and their status all over the world has reached iconic levels. Indeed, it is hard to find films that are as universally known and revered as these two. This comparison article takes a look at the finer points of each.
In Brief
‘Casablanca’ is an American film that made its cinematic debut in 1942. The romantic drama was directed by Michael Curtiz and it stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid. Other cast members included Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. ‘Casablanca’ was set during World War II, and its primary theme is that of a man who has to choose between love and helping a resistance leader escape from ‘Casablanca’.
‘Gone with the Wind’ was released in 1939. The romantic drama film was an adaptation of the novel by Margaret Mitchell, which was published three years earlier. ‘Gone with the Wind’ was directed by Victor Fleming, and it deals with life in the southern United States during the American Civil War and afterwards during the reconstruction period of the country.
Main Characters
The main characters in ‘Casablanca’ are Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart), Ilsa Lund (played by Ingrid Bergman), and Victor Laszlo (played by Paul Henreid). Much of the film revolves around the relationship between Blaine and Lund.
The main characters in ‘Gone with the Wind’ are Scarlett O’Hara (played by Vivien Leigh), Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable), and Ashley Wilkes (played by Leslie Howard).
Reception
Interestingly enough, very few of the people involved in ‘Casablanca’ expected the film to go anywhere, thinking that it was just one in the many movies that Hollywood would put out that year. The initial box-office reception seemed to bolster this idea, although time would show that the film would leave a lasting impact that is still being felt to this day. ‘Casablanca’ would go on to win three Academy Awards (among them Best Picture) and it has become a certified cinematic classic. Even today, ‘Casablanca’ consistently ranks as one of the greatest films in history.
‘Gone with the Wind’ was equally celebrated, having received no less than ten Academy Awards. In fact, this record was unbeaten for twenty years, and ‘Gone with the Wind’ ranks up there with ‘Casablanca’ as one of the best films of all time.
Summary
‘Casablanca’
- Debuted in 1942
- Directed by Michael Curtiz
- Stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman And Paul Henreid
- Won three Academy Awards including best picture
‘Gone with the Wind’
- Released in 1939
- Was an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell
- StarsClark Gable and Vivien Leigh
- Received ten Academy Awards
- Considered one of the best films of all time
