Casablanca (1943) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Rick decides to help Lazlo because he recognizes that Lazlo's work as a resistance leader is more important than personal happiness. Although Rick initially claims to be a cynical neutralist, his love for Ilsa and his underlying sense of moral justice resurface when he sees that Lazlo's mission to fight the Nazis is far greater than his own personal interests. Rick chooses the noble cause over his desire to keep Ilsa.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Rick's claim that he doesn't stick his neck out for anyone sets up his eventual sacrifice.

• victor laszlo
• escape
• resistance
• nazi
• letters of transit
• sacrifice

Ilsa left Rick in Paris because she believed her husband Victor Lazlo was dead after the Nazis arrested him. She sent Rick away with a goodbye note to protect him from the Nazi occupation, not knowing Lazlo was actually alive. When Lazlo returned, Ilsa was forced to choose, and she chose to stay with her husband, abandoning Rick at the train station.

Foreshadowing: The flashback to Paris reveals the passionate love affair and shows how abruptly it ended.

• ilsa
• paris
• abandonment
• nazi
• victor laszlo
• love

The letters of transit are official documents signed by General Charles DeGaulle that allow the bearer to travel freely out of Nazi-occupied territory without inspection or questioning. In Casablanca, where exit visas are nearly impossible to obtain, these letters represent the only hope for refugees trying to escape to America. Both the Nazis and resistance fighters desperately want them because they provide guaranteed passage.

Foreshadowing: The murder of the German couriers at the beginning establishes how valuable and dangerous these letters are.

• letters of transit
• exit visas
• escape
• nazi
• free french
• general degaulle

Rick shoots Major Strasser to prevent him from stopping Victor Lazlo and Ilsa from escaping on the plane. With Strasser alive, he would have used his authority to halt the departure and capture Lazlo, who was a high-priority target for the Nazis. Rick's action represents his complete transformation from a self-interested cafe owner to someone willing to risk everything for the resistance cause.

Foreshadowing: Strasser's arrival in Casablanca and his determination to capture Lazlo builds tension throughout the film.

• major strasser
• shooting
• airport
• nazi
• victor laszlo
• escape

Ugarte is killed by the police while in custody. Although the official report claims he died during an escape attempt, it is strongly implied that Captain Renault ordered his execution to eliminate a dangerous criminal who possessed knowledge about the stolen letters of transit. Ugarte's death removes any chance of Rick simply returning the letters and removes a potential source of information from the Nazis.

Foreshadowing: Ugarte's earlier confidence that the letters would guarantee his escape creates dramatic irony.

• ugarte
• arrest
• police station
• death
• letters of transit

Captain Renault helps Rick because he has a change of heart after witnessing the courage of Rick, Ilsa, and Lazlo, and seeing Major Strasser killed. Renault, who has always been morally ambiguous and sided with whoever held power, decides to join the resistance himself. Rather than arrest Rick for killing Strasser, he helps cover it up by suggesting they round up the usual suspects, and he and Rick leave together to join the Free French forces.

Foreshadowing: Renault's earlier cooperation with the Nazis was always shown as expedient rather than ideological.

• captain renault
• rick
• arrest
• resistance
• free french
• strasser

Ilsa chooses Lazlo because of her sense of duty and the greater good. Though she still loves Rick, Lazlo is fighting for the resistance against the Nazis, a cause far more important than their personal happiness. Additionally, leaving with Rick would mean abandoning her husband, who needs her support for his dangerous mission. Rick himself ultimately encourages her to go, recognizing that Lazlo's work is what matters most.

Foreshadowing: The flashback to Paris shows Ilsa previously making a similar choice to protect Rick by sending him away.

• ilsa
• victor laszlo
• rick
• choice
• love triangle
• resistance

When Victor Lazlo orders the band to play La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, it becomes a powerful act of resistance against the Nazi occupation. The patrons in the café, many of whom are refugees from occupied Europe, join together in singing, turning the moment into a collective defiance of the German officers present. This scene energizes the resistance movement in Casablanca and demonstrates that ordinary people will not be silenced.

Foreshadowing: Major Strasser's presence in the café had been a show of Nazi authority.

• la marseillaise
• resistance
• nazi
• patriotism
• singing
• victor laszlo

Rick claims he doesn't stick his neck out for anyone because he has become disillusioned after witnessing the betrayals and hardships of war. His bitter cynicism is a defense mechanism developed from being abandoned by Ilsa in Paris and seeing the worst of humanity in Casablanca. However, this statement is ultimately proven false as Rick's underlying morality resurfaces when faced with the choice between personal happiness and doing what is right.

Foreshadowing: This statement directly contrasts with his final actions in helping Lazlo escape.

• rick
• cynicism
• neutrality
• commitment
• character arc

Rick gives the letters to Laszlo because he recognizes that Laszlo's resistance work against the Nazis is more valuable than any personal vendetta or desire to keep Ilsa in Casablanca. By giving Laszlo the letters, Rick ensures that Ilsa can escape with her husband to safety in America, where she will be protected from the Nazis. This act also allows Rick to redeem himself from his previous cynicism.

Foreshadowing: Rick's refusal to sell his café to Ferrari earlier shows his initial self-interest.

• letters of transit
• victor laszlo
• ilsa
• escape
• rick
• sacrifice

Ilsa requests As Time Goes By because it was the song that defined her relationship with Rick in Paris. When she hears Sam playing it in the café, she is overwhelmed by memories of their love affair and wants to evoke those feelings again. The song serves as an emotional trigger that exposes her unresolved feelings for Rick and sets up the romantic tension that drives the rest of the film.

Foreshadowing: The flashback to Paris confirms this song was central to their relationship.

• as time goes by
• sam
• ilsa
• rick
• paris
• love
• memories

When Rick says this to Renault at the end, he means that their relationship, previously based on mutual self-interest and corruption, has transformed into a genuine partnership in the resistance fight against the Nazis. Rather than enemies or casual acquaintances, they are now allies with a shared purpose. The line also suggests hope for the future as they prepare to join the Free French forces together.

Foreshadowing: Their earlier interactions were always tinged with irony and self-preservation.

• rick
• renault
• friendship
• free french
• ending
• hope